Review
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World J Stem Cells. Nov 26, 2014; 6(5): 552-570
Published online Nov 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i5.552
Secretion of immunoregulatory cytokines by mesenchymal stem cells
Dobroslav Kyurkchiev, Ivan Bochev, Ekaterina Ivanova-Todorova, Milena Mourdjeva, Tsvetelina Oreshkova, Kalina Belemezova, Stanimir Kyurkchiev
Dobroslav Kyurkchiev, Ekaterina Ivanova-Todorova, University Hospital “St. Ivan Rilski”, Department of Clinical Laboratory and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Sofia, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria
Ivan Bochev, Ob/Gyn Hospital “Dr Shterev”, 1330 Sofia, Bulgaria
Milena Mourdjeva, Tsvetelina Oreshkova, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Kalina Belemezova, Stanimir Kyurkchiev, Tissue Bank “BulGen”, 1330 Sofia, Bulgaria
Author contributions: All the authors contributed to the research and in the preparation of the paper; Kyurkchiev D was also responsible for designing and editing the review.
Correspondence to: Dobroslav Kyurkchiev, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, University Hospital “St. Ivan Rilski, Department of Clinical Laboratory and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Sofia, 15 “Acad. Ivan Geshov” Str., 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria. dsk666@gmail.com
Telephone: +359-2-8524957
Received: July 14, 2014
Revised: August 20, 2014
Accepted: September 4, 2014
Published online: November 26, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: Autoimmune diseases affect approximately 5% of the human population, leading to serious disability and effective methods to treat these diseases are still not perfect. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are assumed to be promising agents, both for regenerative medicine and cell therapy for autoimmune disorders. Under the influence of some factors, mesenchymal stem cells secrete cytokines which induce suppression of the immune response. Studies on the secreted cytokines and the precise mechanisms involved in these suppressive mechanisms would create possibilities for efficient application of MSCs as a therapeutic means for treatment of autoimmune diseases.