Myeloid derived suppressor cells in inflammatory conditions of the central nervous system

• MDSCs are immature myeloid cells with T cell suppressive activity.
• Compilation of MDSC roles in several neuroimmune diseases is depicted.
• MDSCs are positive elements for the control of EAE progression.
• An overview of the putative therapeutical use of MDSCs in neuroimmune diseases.

The knowledge of the immune system elements and their relationship with other tissues, organs and systems are key approximations for the resolution of many immune-related disorders. The control of the immune response and/or its modulation from the pro-inflammatory to the anti-inflammatory response is being deeply studied in the field. In the last years, the study of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), a group of immature myeloid cells with a high suppressive activity on T cells has been extensively addressed in cancer. In contrast, their role in neuroimmune diseases is far from being totally understood. In this review, we will summarize data about MDSCs coming from the study of neuroinflammatory diseases in general and their potential role in multiple sclerosis, in order to introduce the putative use of this extraordinary promising cell type for future cell-based therapies.This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Neuro Inflammation edited by Helga E. de Vries and Markus Schwaninger.