Comparison of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Different Tissues to Suppress T-Cell Activation:

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and graft rejection have remained significant complications of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from the bone marrow have been shown to suppress T-cell activation in vitro and in vivo, and may be used to reduce GvHD in the recipient or to facilitate engraftment across MHC barriers. MSCs can be derived from a variety of tissues. Thus, we asked whether MSCs from different tissues might have differential effects on T-cell responses. We were particularly interested in MSCs derived from adipose tissue because of its abundance and accessibility. We investigated and compared the immunosuppressive potential of murine MSCs derived from muscle tissue, adipose tissue, omentum, and bone. Cells from the different tissues were enriched for MSCs and cultured for 2–3 weeks to deplete hematopoietic cells. Mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLRs) including MSCs were performed using concanavalin A or allogeneic T cells as inducers of T-cell activation. MSCs from a...