International Journal of Molecular Medical Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 123-131 http://medscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmms 123 Research Report Open Access The Application and Challenges of Mesenchymal Stem Cells' Immunomodulation in the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases CaixinLi Diady Biotechnology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Fengxian, 201100, Shanghai, China Corresponding email: cxli824@126.com International Journal of Molecular Medical Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.2 doi: 10.5376/ijmms.2024.14.0015 Received: 31 Mar., 2024 Accepted: 02 May, 2024 Published: 14 May, 2024 Copyright © 2024 Li, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Li C.X., 2024, The application and challenges of mesenchymal stem cells' immunomodulation in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, International Journal of Molecular Medical Science, 14(2): 123-131 (doi: 10.5376/ijmms.2024.14.0015) Abstract Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become a research focus in the treatment of autoimmune diseases due to their unique immunomodulatory function and multidirectional differentiation potential. MSCs can effectively regulate inflammatory response and immune balance by secreting anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory factors and directly interacting with immune cells. This study reviews the application, challenges, and future research directions of MSCs in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Studies have shown that MSCs have shown potential therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials for diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease, reducing symptoms and improving patients' quality of life. However, its clinical application still faces dual challenges of safety and efficacy, including inconsistencies in cell source and preparation process, long-term survival and transformation risks. Future research should focus on optimizing the production and application processes of MSCs, exploring ways to enhance their immunomodulatory effects through genetic engineering and bioengineering techniques, and verifying their safety and efficacy through large-scale clinical trials. Through continued research and technological innovation, MSCs are expected to provide an effective new strategy for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Keywords Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs); Autoimmune diseases; Immunomodulation; Multi-directional differentiation; Clinical trials 1 Introduction Autoimmune diseases are diseases in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues due to disorders, including but not limited to systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and so on. Autoimmune diseases not only cause long-term pain and dysfunction in patients, but also may lead to multiple organ damage, seriously affecting patients' quality of life and life expectancy (Huang et al., 2022). In the field of the treatment of autoimmune diseases, traditional treatments have mainly relied on the use of drugs such as immunosuppressants and glucocorticoids to control the condition. However, these treatments are often associated with long-term side effects and limited therapeutic effectiveness. Therefore, the development of new treatment strategies is particularly important. In recent years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy for treating autoimmune diseases due to their unique immunomodulatory properties (Ben-Ami et al., 2011). MSCs are a class of non-hematopoietic stem cells with multidirectional differentiation potential, which can be extracted from bone marrow, adipose tissue, cord blood and other tissues. They can regulate the immune response by secreting a variety of immunomodulatory molecules such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), thereby combating inflammation and immune overreaction. In addition, MSCs further exert their immunomodulatory role by interacting with a variety of cells of the immune system such as T cells, B cells, and macrophages, which provides a scientific basis for their application in the treatment of autoimmune diseases (Gomzikova et al., 2019). Studying the use of MSCs in autoimmune diseases could not only provide a potential treatment for these diseases, but could also help address deficiencies in traditional treatment options. Exploring the immunomodulatory mechanism of MSCs and its clinical application potential is of great significance for promoting scientific research
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