Feline adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells induce effector phenotype and enhance cytolytic function of CD8+ T cells

Mesenchymal stem cells alleviate inflammatory responses through regulation of T-cell subsets

Immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID) is a complex disorder characterized by excessive immune responses involving T cells and their subsets, leading to direct tissue damage. T cells can be broadly categorized into CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells. CD4+ T cells are composed of several subsets, including T helper (Th)1, Th2, Th9, Th17, Th22, follicular helper T cells (Tfhs), and regulatory T cells (Tregs), while effector CD8+ T cells consist mainly of cytotoxic T cells (CTLs). Current therapies for IMID are ineffective, prompting exploration into mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a promising clinical treatment due to their immunomodulatory effects and self-renewal potential. Recent studies have shown that MSCs can suppress T cells through direct cell-to-cell contact or secretion of soluble cytokines. Nevertheless, the precise effects of MSCs on T cell subsets remain inadequately defined. In this review, we summarize the most recent studies that have examined how MSCs modulate one or more effector T-cell subsets and the mechanisms behind these modifications in vitro and several mouse models of clinical inflammation. This also provides theoretical support and novel insights into the efficacy of clinical treatments involving MSCs. However, the efficacy of MSC therapies in clinical models of inflammation varies, showing effective remission in most cases, but also with exacerbation of T-cell-mediated inflammatory damage in some instances.

Potential role of mesenchymal stem cells in T cell aging

Immunosenescence occurs with progressive age. T cell aging is manifested by immunodeficiency and inflammation. The main mechanisms are thymic involution, mitochondrial dysfunction, genetic and epigenetic alterations, loss of protein stability, reduction of T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire, naïve-memory T cell ratio imbalance, T cell senescence, and lack of effector plasticity. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are thought to hold great potential as anti-aging therapy. However, the role of MCSs in T cell aging remains elusive. This review makes a tentative summary of the potential role of MSCs in the protection against T cell aging. It might provide a new idea to intervene in the aging of the immune system.

Stromal cell therapy in cats with feline chronic gingivostomatitis: current perspectives and future direction

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is a painful, immune-mediated, oral mucosal inflammatory disease in cats. The etiology of FCGS remains unclear, with evidence pointing potentially toward a viral cause. Full-mouth tooth extraction is the current standard of care, and cats that are non-responsive to extraction therapy may need lifelong medical management and, in some cases, euthanasia. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (adMSCs) have been demonstrated to have advantages in the treatment and potentially the cure of non-responsive FCGS in cats. Therefore, adMSCs have attracted a series of ongoing clinical trials in the past decade. AdMSC therapy immediately after full-mouth tooth extraction was not explored, and we postulate that it may benefit the overall success rate of FCGS therapy. Here, we aim to summarize the current knowledge and impact of adMSCs for the therapeutic management of FCGS and to suggest a novel modified approach to further increase the efficacy of FCGS treatment in cats.