Mesenchymal stromal cells therapy in radiation oncology regenerative medicine

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent somatic cells resident in many tissues and organs. They have specific characteristics that distinguish them from other cell types. They are self-renewing cells with multi-lineage differentiation potential. In addition, they possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Studies have shown that they could be used as vehicles to deliver certain therapeutic gene products as well. These cells possess secretory capabilities of certain cytokines and growth factors that mediate various paracrine effects. They increase the secretion of the anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) together with lowering the availabilities of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (INF-γ), and interleukin -1-beta (IL-1β) by signaling to the immune system elements, e.g. dendritic cells, T-cells, B-cells, and natural Killer cells (NK cells). Recently, studies have investigated such anti-inflammatory properties of MSCs in the repair of radiation-induced normal tissue injury, also called radiation oncology regenerative medicine (RORM), supported by the recently known MSCs radiation resistance potential. In this review, we summarize MSCs radio-resistant mechanisms, anti-inflammatory properties, and their application in RORM with special attention to adipose tissue-derived MSCs (aMSCs). Correspondence to: Dr. Thierry Muanza, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Radiation Oncology Translational Research Lab, Department of Radiation Oncology, Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute Research Centre, McGill University, 3755 Côte-St.-Catherine Road, Suite G002, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1E2, Tel: +1 (514)-340-8288, Fax: + 1 (514)-340-7548, E-mail: [email protected]