Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibit and Stimulate Mixed Lymphocyte Cultures and Mitogenic Responses Independently of the Major Histocompatibility Complex

We aimed to study the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on alloreactivity and effects of T-cell activation on human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) in vitro. MSCs were expanded from the bone marrow of healthy subjects. MSCs isolated from second to third passage were positive for CD166, CD105, CD44, CD29, SH-3 and SH-4, but negative for CD34 and CD45. MSCs cultured in osteogenic, adipogenic or chondrogenic media differentiated, respectively, into osteocytes, adipocytes or chondrocytes. MSC added to PBL cultures had various effects, ranging from slight inhibition to stimulation of DNA synthesis. The stimulation index (SI = (PBL + MSC)/PBL) varied between 0.2 and 7.3. The SI was not affected by the MSC…

• TN
  Tore Nilsons Stiftelse för Medicinsk Forskning
• C
  Cancerfonden
• FP
  Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale
• V
  Vetenskapsrådet