Role of Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Management of Graft Versus Host Disease

Mesenchymal and tissue stem cell committee of the International society for cellular therapy proposes minimal criteria to define human MSCs. First, MSCs must be plastic-adherent when maintained in standard culture conditions. Second, MSCs must express CD105, CD73 and CD90, and lack the expression of CD45, CD34, CD14 or CD11b, CD79alpha or CD19 and HLADR surface molecules. Third, MSCs must be capable to differentiate into osteoblasts, adipo‐ cytes and chondroblasts in vitro [7,8]. In the hand of Delorme B and Charbord P, MSCs can be defined phenotypically with a minimal set of markers as CD31-, CD34-, and CD45-negative cells and CD13, CD29, CD73, CD90, CD105, and CD166 positive cells [9]. MSCs have been used in cell-based therapy in various disease conditions. Experimental evidence and preliminary clinical studies have demonstrated that MSCs, have an important immunomodulatory function in the management of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation [10,11]. These immunomodulatory effects have been demonstrated in various species, including humans, rodents, and primates and show clinical promise for the treatment of graft versus host disease (GVHD) and graft failure management. In this chapter we will discuss current research finding.