Experimental hematology
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Experimental hematology · Dec 2009
Mesenchymal stem cell-educated macrophages: a novel type of alternatively activated macrophages.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are capable of modulating the immune system through interaction with a wide range of immune cells. This study investigates the hypothesis that interaction of MSCs with macrophages could play a significant role in their antiinflammatory/immune modulatory effects. ⋯ We describe a novel type of human macrophage generated in vitro after coculture with MSCs that assumes an immunophenotype defined as IL-10-high, IL-12-low, IL-6-high, and TNF-alpha-low secreting cells. These MSC-educated macrophages may be a unique and novel type of alternatively activated macrophage with a potentially significant role in tissue repair.