Last updated: August 17, 2026
Immunoregulatory potential of mesenchymal stem cells following activation by macrophage-derived soluble factors
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-019-1156-6
Abstract
Background
Immunoregulatory capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is triggered by the inflammatory environment, which changes during tissue repair. Macrophages are essential in mediating the inflammatory response after injury and can adopt a range of functional phenotypes, exhibiting pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory activities. An accurate characterization of mesenchymal stem cells activation by the inflammatory milieu is needed for improving the efficacy of regenerative therapies. In this work, we investigated the immunomodulatory functions of mesenchymal stem cells primed with factors secreted from macrophages polarized toward a pro-inflammatory or an anti-inflammatory phenotype. We focused on the role of TNF-α and IL-10, prototypic pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, respectively, as priming factors for MSC.
Methods
Secretion of immunoregulatory mediators from human mesenchymal stem cells primed with media conditioned by human macrophages polarized toward a pro-inflammatory or an anti-inflammatory phenotype was determined. Immunomodulatory potential of primed mesenchymal stem cells on polarized macrophages was studied using indirect co-cultures. Involvement of TNF-α and IL-10 in priming mesenchymal stem cells and of PGE2 in MSC-mediated immunomodulation was investigated employing neutralizing antibodies. Collagen hydrogels were used to study MSC and macrophages interactions in a more physiological environment.
Results
Priming MSC with media conditioned by pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory macrophages enhanced their immunomodulatory potential through increased PGE2 secretion. We identified the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α as a priming factor for mesenchymal stem cells . Notably, the anti-inflammatory IL-10, mainly produced by pro-resolving macrophages, potentiated the priming effect of TNF-α. Collagen hydrogels acted as instructive microenvironments for MSC and macrophages functions and their crosstalk. Culturing macrophages on hydrogels stimulated anti-inflammatory versus pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. Encapsulation of mesenchymal stem cells within hydrogels increased PGE2 secretion and potentiated immunomodulation on macrophages, attenuating macrophage pro-inflammatory state and sustaining anti-inflammatory activation. Priming with inflammatory factors conferred to mesenchymal stem cells loaded in hydrogels greater immunomodulatory potential, promoting anti-inflammatory activity of macrophages.
Conclusions
Factors secreted by pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory macrophages activated the immunomodulatory potential of mesenchymal stem cells. This was partially attributed to the priming effect of TNF-α and IL-10. Immunoregulatory functions of primed mesenchymal stem cells were enhanced after encapsulation in hydrogels. These findings may provide insight into novel strategies to enhance MSC immunoregulatory potency.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-019-1156-6
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