Applications of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells in Immuno-Oncology Therapy and The Priming Ways to Boost Their Functions

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2024) | Viewed by 4944

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB),1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
2. Genetics and Immune Cell Therapy Unit, Faculty of Sciences, University Mohammed Premier, Oujda 60000, Morocco
Interests: cancer biology; hematologic malignancies; immunotherapy; stem cell therapy; gene expression regulation; epigenetics; ncRNA; antitumoral drugs; bioactive molecules; cell death pathways; regenerative medicine; inflammation

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Guest Editor
Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
Interests: stem cells; inflammation; cartilage

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Several types of stem and progenitor cells are being investigated as potential therapeutic cells for the management of cancers and other diseases. Among these populations, Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (MSCs) display regulatory functions holding great promise in the field of immuno-onco therapy and regenerative medicine. These cells are involved in immunomodulation, resolution of inflammation and regeneration of injured/damaged tissues. Furthermore, MSCs can be home to tumor sites, interact with cancer cells and modulate the immune response to neoplastic diseases. MSCs, depending on several factors, may have a dual effect on tumor immune biology, cancer progression and metastasis. MSCs may suppress the anti-tumoral immunity and thus promote the tumor proliferation. On the other hand, MSCs may boost immunity against cancer and, therefore, inhibit the proliferation of tumors. The trophic and immunoregulatory activities of MSCs are mainly linked to their secretome and influenced by the local micro-environment. Depending on the signals received, MSCs will harbor a distinct profile and function known as plasticity. Mechanistically, MSCs display their effects by secreting a plethora of regulatory mediators including extracellular vesicles (EVs). These EVs contain different bioactive cargo, such as proteins, lipids and genetic material carrying some of the therapeutic effects of their cells of origin. Due to their properties, using MSCs for different immune-oncology indications is a promising therapeutic strategy. However, further understanding of the immune biology of MSCs in the context of tumors is required to guarantee their safety and efficiency. Characterizing the optimal priming ways to modulate the features of MSCs will strengthen their properties. Indeed, the identification of the specific phenotype and function underlying the plasticity of MSCs will open new perspectives for targeted cancer therapies.

This Special Issue of Biomolecules invites contributions (original research articles, reviews and other relevant contributions) that highlight our enhanced understanding of the applications of MSCs in the field of Immuno-Oncology Therapy and report on the development of novel therapeutic strategies in cancer therapy. 

Dr. Makram Merimi
Dr. Hassan Fahmi
Dr. Mehdi Najar
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • immuno-oncology
  • immunotherapy
  • stem/stromal cells
  • gene regulation
  • epigenetics, immunoregulatory functions
  • priming procedures

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 186 KiB  
Editorial
The Medicinal Potential of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells in Immuno- and Cancer Therapy
by Mehdi Najar, Hassan Fahmi and Makram Merimi
Biomolecules 2023, 13(8), 1171; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13081171 - 27 Jul 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1099
Abstract
Cancer is a highly lethal disease that causes millions of deaths worldwide, thus representing a major public health challenge [...] Full article

Research

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22 pages, 5924 KiB  
Article
The Immunological Profile of Adipose Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells after Cell Expansion and Inflammatory Priming
by Karolien Buyl, Makram Merimi, Robim M. Rodrigues, Saida Rahmani, Mohammad Fayyad-Kazan, Fatima Bouhtit, Noureddine Boukhatem, Tamara Vanhaecke, Hassan Fahmi, Joery De Kock and Mehdi Najar
Biomolecules 2024, 14(7), 852; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14070852 - 15 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1161
Abstract
Background: AT-MSCs display great immunoregulatory features, making them potential candidates for cell-based therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the “RBC lysis buffer” isolation protocol and immunological profiling of the so-obtained AT-MSCs. Methods: We established an immune-comparative screening of AT-MSCs throughout in vitro cell [...] Read more.
Background: AT-MSCs display great immunoregulatory features, making them potential candidates for cell-based therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the “RBC lysis buffer” isolation protocol and immunological profiling of the so-obtained AT-MSCs. Methods: We established an immune-comparative screening of AT-MSCs throughout in vitro cell expansion (PM, P1, P2, P3, P4) and inflammatory priming regarding the expression of 28 cell-surface markers, 6 cytokines/chemokines, and 10 TLR patterns. Findings: AT-MSCs were highly expandable and sensitive to microenvironment challenges, hereby showing plasticity in distinct expression profiles. Both cell expansion and inflammation differentially modulated the expression profile of CD34, HLA-DR, CD40, CD62L, CD200 and CD155, CD252, CD54, CD58, CD106, CD274 and CD112. Inflammation resulted in a significant increase in the expression of the cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, CCL5, and TNFα. Depending on the culture conditions, the expression of the TLR pattern was distinctively altered with TLR1–4, TLR7, and TLR10 being increased, whereas TLR6 was downregulated. Protein network and functional enrichment analysis showed that several trophic and immune responses are likely linked to these immunological changes. Conclusions: AT-MSCs may sense and actively respond to tissue challenges by modulating distinct and specific pathways to create an appropriate immuno-reparative environment. These mechanisms need to be further characterized to identify and assess a molecular target that can enhance or impede the therapeutic ability of AT-MSCs, which therefore will help improve the quality, safety, and efficacy of the therapeutic strategy. Full article
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Review

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25 pages, 1930 KiB  
Review
Bioengineered Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells in Anti-Cancer Therapy: Current Trends and Future Prospects
by Jesús I. Gil-Chinchilla, Agustín G. Zapata, Jose M. Moraleda and David García-Bernal
Biomolecules 2024, 14(7), 734; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14070734 - 21 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2088
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are one of the most widely used cell types in advanced therapies due to their therapeutic potential in the regulation of tissue repair and homeostasis, and immune modulation. However, their use in cancer therapy is controversial: they can inhibit [...] Read more.
Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are one of the most widely used cell types in advanced therapies due to their therapeutic potential in the regulation of tissue repair and homeostasis, and immune modulation. However, their use in cancer therapy is controversial: they can inhibit cancer cell proliferation, but also potentially promote tumour growth by supporting angiogenesis, modulation of the immune milieu and increasing cancer stem cell invasiveness. This opposite behaviour highlights the need for careful and nuanced use of MSCs in cancer treatment. To optimize their anti-cancer effects, diverse strategies have bioengineered MSCs to enhance their tumour targeting and therapeutic properties or to deliver anti-cancer drugs. In this review, we highlight the advanced uses of MSCs in cancer therapy, particularly as carriers of targeted treatments due to their natural tumour-homing capabilities. We also discuss the potential of MSC-derived extracellular vesicles to improve the efficiency of drug or molecule delivery to cancer cells. Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the therapeutic potential of these cells and setting the stage for future advances in MSC-based cancer treatment. It is critical to identify the broad and potent applications of bioengineered MSCs in solid tumour targeting and anti-cancer agent delivery to position them as effective therapeutics in the evolving field of cancer therapy. Full article
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