Interaction of multipotent mesenchymal stromal and immune cells: Bidirectional effects

Adult multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are considered one of the key players in physiological remodeling and tissue reparation. Elucidation of MSC functions is one of the most intriguing issues in modern cell physiology. In the present review, the interaction of MSCs and immune cells is discussed in terms of reciprocal effects, which modifies the properties of “partner” cells with special focus on the contribution of direct cell-to-cell contacts, soluble mediators and local microenvironmental factors, the most important of which is oxygen tension. The immunosuppressive phenomenon of MSCs is considered as the integral part of the response-to-injury mechanism.