Myeloid-derived suppressor cells as cellular immunotherapy in transplantation and autoimmune diseases

Abstract

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells, which have been characterized for their immunosuppressive capacity through multiple mechanisms. These cells have been extensively studied in the field of tumor immunity. Emerging evidence has highlighted its essential role in maintaining immune tolerance in transplantation and autoimmunity. Because of their robust immune inhibitory activities, there has been growing interest in MDSC-based cellular therapy. Various pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that the adoptive transfer of MDCS represented a promising therapeutic strategy for immune-related disorders. In this review, we summarize relevant studies of MDSC-based cell therapy in transplantation and autoimmune diseases and discuss the challenges and future directions for clinical application of MDSC-based cell therapy.

Keywords: Autoimmune disease; Cellular therapy; Myeloid-derived suppressor cell; Transplantation.

Figure.1,

Approaches to generate MDCS for cellular therapy in GVHD and potential mechanism in which MDSCs prevent GVHD while persevere GVL activities. BM cells, Bone marrow cells; ES cells, Embryonic stem cell; CBU, cord blood unit; PBSC, peripheral blood stem cells; CpG, cytosine-phosphate-guanine; IFA, incomplete Freund’s adjuvant; iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase; IDO, Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase; Tregs, Regulatory T cells.