Mesenchymal Stem Cell Immuno-Modulatory and/Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Among various attributed features of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), immuno-compromise/immuno-evasive, and immuno-modulation and/anti-inflammatory properties have an important role to play in the therapeutics. The immuno-compromised feature makes them suitable for allogeneic and/xenogeneic application while immuno-modulation and/ anti-inflammatory properties facilitate the healing process. Immuno-compromised feature is attributed to their minimal ability to express MHC-II and co-stimulatory molecules. The immune regulation may be achieved through their direct contact to immune cells and/by paracrine effect. Currently, a very limited control can be exerted on these features of MSCs. An extensive available literature has demonstrated these properties of MSCs, although some studies have reported otherwise. The current chapter deliberates on the immuno-modulatory and/anti-inflammatory features of MSCs in veterinary species.