Mesenchymal stromal cells with enhanced therapeutic properties.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are connective tissue progenitor cells with interesting immunoregulatory properties and are currently being assessed as cellular therapeutics in a variety of clinical applications. While bone marrow has been the traditional source, adipose tissue and umbilical cord are being used increasingly to generate MSC for therapeutic use as an allogeneic, off-the-shelf product. Although the means by which MSC home to sites of inflammation or tissue damage and exert their beneficial effects remain to be fully elucidated, they have recently been shown to adsorb a number of immunosuppressive and anticancer drugs that may further enhance their therapeutic potential.