Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have great potential to differentiate into various types of cells, including but not limited to, adipocytes, chondrocytes and osteoblasts. In addition to their progenitor characteristics, MSCs hold unique immunomodulatory properties that provide new opportunities in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and can serve as a promising tool in stem cell-based therapy. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disorder that deteriorates quality and function of the synovium membrane, resulting in chronic inflammation, pain and progressive cartilage and bone destruction. The mechanism of RA pathogenesis is associated with dysregulation of innate and adaptive immunity. Current conventional treatments by steroid drugs, antirheumatic drugs and biological agents are being applied in clinical practice. However, long-term use of these drugs causes side effects, and some RA patients may acquire resistance to these drugs. In this regard, recently investigated MSC-based therapy is considered as a promising approach in RA treatment. In this study, we review conventional and modern treatment approaches, such as MSC-based therapy through the understanding of the link between MSCs and the innate and adaptive immune systems. Moreover, we discuss recent achievements in preclinical and clinical studies as well as various strategies for the enhancement of MSC immunoregulatory properties.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multilineage differentiating stromal cells with extensive immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. MSC-based therapy is widely used in the treatment of various pathologies, including bone and cartilage diseases, cardiac ischemia, diabetes, and neurological disorders. Along with MSCs, it is promising to study the therapeutic properties of exosomes derived from MSCs (MSC-Exo). A number of studies report that the therapeutic properties of MSC-Exo are superior to those of MSCs. In particular, MSC-Exo are used for tissue regeneration in various diseases, such as healing of skin wounds, cancer, coronary heart disease, lung injury, liver fibrosis, and neurological, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases. In this regard, it is not surprising that the scientific community is interested in studying the therapeutic properties of MSCs and MSC-Exo in the treatment of psoriasis. This review summarizes the recent advancements from preclinical and clinical studies of MSCs and MSC-Exo in the treatment of psoriasis, and it also discusses their mechanisms of therapeutic action involved in the treatment of this disease.

OnlyPTPN12, MSH6, andZEB1have significant miR-1279 binding sites among paralogous genes of human tyrosine phosphatase family, DNA mismatch repair family, and zinc finger family, respectively. All miRNA binding sites are located within CDSs of studied mRNAs. Nucleotide sequences of hsa-miR-1279 binding sites with mRNAs of humanPTPN12, MSH6, andZEB1genes encode TKEQYE, EGSSDE, and GEKPYE oligopeptides, respectively. The conservation of miRNA binding sites encoding oligopeptides has been revealed. MRNAs of many paralogs of zinc finger gene family have from 1 to 12 binding sites coding the same GEKPYE hexapeptide. MRNAs ofPTPN12, MSH6, andZEB1orthologous genes from different animal species have binding sites for hsa-miR-1279 which consist of homologous oligonucleotides encoding similar human oligopeptides TKEQYE, EGSSDE, and GEKPYE. MiR-548j, miR-548m, and miR-548d-5p have homologous binding sites in the mRNA ofPTPN12orthologous genes which encode PRTRSC, TEATDI, and STASAT oligopeptides, respectively. All regions of miRNA are important for binding with the mRNA.

The regeneration of cartilage and osteochondral defects remains one of the most challenging clinical problems in orthopedic surgery. Currently, tissue-engineering techniques based on the delivery of appropriate growth factors and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in hydrogel scaffolds are considered as the most promising therapeutic strategy for osteochondral defects regeneration. In this study, we fabricated a heparin-conjugated fibrin (HCF) hydrogel with synovium-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SDMSCs), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) to repair osteochondral defects in a rabbit model. An in vitro study showed that HCF hydrogel exhibited good biocompatibility, a slow degradation rate and sustained release of TGF-β1 and BMP-4 over 4 weeks. Macroscopic and histological evaluations revealed that implantation of HCF hydrogel with SDMSCs, TGF-β1 and BMP-4 significantly enhanced the regeneration of hyaline cartilage and the subchondral bone plate in osteochondral defects within 12 weeks compared to hydrogels with SDMSCs or growth factors alone. Thus, these data suggest that combined delivery of SDMSCs with TGF-β1 and BMP-4 in HCF hydrogel may synergistically enhance the therapeutic efficacy of osteochondral defect repair of the knee joints.

AtheroscleroAtherosclerosis is a multifactorial and complex disease involving the arterial intima of the circulatory system. The main risk factors of atherosclerosis are diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemic states, smoking, mental stress, unhealthy diet, and a lack of physical activity. Recent studies have shown that dyslipidemia, inflammation and immune cells are involved in all stages of the development of atherosclerosis. Mesenchymal stem cells are a heterogeneous subset of multipotent cells that can be isolated from nearly all human organs and tissues, and they possess both regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. Recent studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells are able to provide immunosuppressive, regenerative, and atheroprotective effects by reducing dyslipidemia, inflammation and inhibiting endothelial cell dysfunction and plaque formation during the development of atherosclerosis in animal models. Based on these beneficial effects, mesenchymal stem cells are considered a promising alternative therapeutic approach for the effective treatment of atherosclerosis.sis is a multifactorial and complex disease involving the arterial intima of the circulatory system. The main risk factors of atherosclerosis are diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemic states, smoking, mental stress, unhealthy diet and a lack of physical activity. Recent studies have shown that dyslipidemia, inflammation and immune cells are involved in all stages of development of atherosclerosis. Mesenchymal stem cells are a heterogeneous subset of multipotent cells that can be isolated from nearly all human organs and tissues, and they possess both regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. Recent studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells are able to provide immunosuppressive, regenerative and atheroprotective effects by reducing dyslipidemia, inflammation, and inhibiting endothelial cell dysfunction and plaque formation during the development of atherosclerosis in animal models. Based on these beneficial effects, mesenchymal stem cells are considered a promising alternative therapeutic approach for effective treatment of atherosclerosis. In this review, we summarize the current findings on potential applications of mesenchymal stem cells for preventing and regressing atherosclerosis as well as discuss strategies for improving the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy. In this review, we summarize the current findings on potential applications of mesenchymal stem cells for preventing and regressing atherosclerosis as well as discuss strategies for improving the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy.