Eph/ephrin-mediated mesenchymal stem cell regulation of T-cell activation and function

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) represent a promising cellular therapy for the treatment of immune-related conditions due to their immunomodulatory properties, which include the capacity to inhibit the proliferation and function of T-cells. Despite the fact that MSC have been the subject of intense investigation as therapeutic agents for diseases in which cellular immune response is exacerbated, the underlying mechanisms of how MSC exert their Tcell suppressive properties remain to be fully understood. Eph surface tyrosine kinase receptors and their ephrin ligands are involved in T-cell development, maturation, activation and proliferation. Recent findings have demonstrated Eph/ephrin interactions as potential mechanisms mediating human MSC inhibition of activated T-cells. Here we highlight the influence of Eph and ephrin molecules in the communication between MSC and T-cells that result in T-cell suppression by MSC.