Int J Stem Cells.  2023 Aug;16(3):251-259. 10.15283/ijsc22211.

Applications of Bioinspired Platforms for Enhancing Immunomodulatory Function of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

• Kim OH
• Jeon TJ
• So YI
• Shin YK
• Lee HJ

• KMID: 2545225
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15283/ijsc22211

Abstract

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have attracted scientific and medical interest due to their self-renewing properties, pluripotency, and paracrine function. However, one of the main limitations to the clinical application of MSCs is their loss of efficacy after transplantation in vivo. Various bioengineering technologies to provide stem cell niche-like conditions have the potential to overcome this limitation. Here, focusing on the stem cell niche microenvironment, studies to maximize the immunomodulatory potential of MSCs by controlling biomechanical stimuli, including shear stress, hydrostatic pressure, stretch, and biophysical cues, such as extracellular matrix mimetic substrates, are discussed. The application of biomechanical forces or biophysical cues to the stem cell microenvironment will be beneficial for enhancing the immunomodulatory function of MSCs during cultivation and overcoming the current limitations of MSC therapy.

Keyword

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs); Immunomodulation; Biomechanical forces; Biophysical cues

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Biomechanical forces in the MSC niche. Different types of biomechanical forces existing in the MSC niche are shown. (A) As blood vessels generate pulsatile flow, shear stress as a frictional force, hydrostatic pressure, and tensile force can be applied to the cells in the blood vessels or nearby. (B) Mechanose-nsors translate the biomechanical stimuli into biochemical signals inside cells.

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  Fig. 2 Biophysical cues in the MSC microenvironment for enhancing immunomodulatory function. The application of a cell culture platform that mimics the microenvironment of the MSC niche, such as spheroid formation, scaffold, stiffness, and functionalization of the substrate surface, plays an important role in strengthening cellular immunomodulation function by secreting various immuno-modulatory cytokines (IDO-1, PGE2, HO-1, COX-2, TSG-6).

Reference

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