Structure and Classification of Mesenchymal Stem Cells - MSCs are characterised by a small cell body with long and thin cell processes. - The terms 'mesenchymal stem cell' and 'marrow stromal cell' have been used interchangeably. - MSCs do not differentiate into hematopoietic cells. - MSCs have roles in tissue repair. - MSCs can be derived from various non-marrow tissues. - The International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) has proposed standards to define MSCs. - MSCs show plastic adherent properties and have a fibroblast-like morphology. - MSCs can undergo osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation. - MSCs express specific surface markers and lack the expression of certain surface markers. - Some argue that MSCs and fibroblasts are functionally identical.

Location and Function of Mesenchymal Stem Cells - MSCs are found throughout the human body. - Bone marrow is the most frequently utilised source of MSCs. - Umbilical cord tissue and Wharton's jelly are rich sources of primitive MSCs. - Adipose tissue is an easier and safer source of MSCs compared to bone marrow. - The mandibular third molar tooth bud is a rich source of MSCs. - MSCs have a great capacity for self-renewal and maintain their multipotency. - Differentiation of MSCs into various cell types can be induced. - MSCs may differentiate into neuron-like cells, but their functionality is uncertain. - The differentiation capacity of MSCs varies among individuals and with age and culture time. - MSCs have immunomodulatory effects and can suppress tumor growth.

Clinical Significance and Research on Mesenchymal Stem Cells - Mesenchymal stem cells can be activated and mobilised in reaction to injury and infection. - ClinicalTrials.gov lists more than 1,100 studies featuring MSCs for more than 920 conditions. - MSCs are being investigated for their efficacy in treating autoimmune diseases, graft versus host disease, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis. - Intravenous transplantation of MSCs has shown clinical success in systemic diseases such as graft versus host disease and sepsis. - Further studies into the mechanisms of MSC action may provide avenues for increasing their capacity for tissue repair. - Modern culture techniques for MSCs involve colony-forming unit-fibroblasts (CFU-F) approach or flow cytometry-based methods. - STRO-1+ cells are a more homogenous population of MSCs with higher rates of adherence and proliferation. - Immunodepletion techniques like MACS have been used for negative selection of MSCs. - Basal media for MSC culture is often supplemented with fetal bovine serum or human platelet lysate. - Various chemicals and methods, including low-level laser irradiation, have been used to increase the proliferation of MSCs. - In the 1960s, the clonal nature of marrow cells was revealed by scientists Ernest A. McCulloch and James E. Till. - Dr. Caplan identified conditions by which mesodermal cells differentiate into cartilage, myogenic tissue, and bone in 1970. - The first clinical trials of MSCs were completed by Osiris Therapeutics in 1995 to test the safety of the treatment. - The first regulatory approvals for MSCs were granted in 2012 in Canada, New Zealand, and Japan for treating specific conditions. - Over 1,000 clinical trials have been conducted to treat numerous conditions using MSCs. - The term 'mesenchymal stem cells' and the most scientifically correct meaning for the MSC initialism have been debated. - Most MSC preparations only contain a minority fraction of true multipotent stem cells, with most cells being stromal in nature. - Dr. Caplan proposed rephrasing MSCs to emphasize their role as medicinal signaling cells. - The shorthand MSC has come to refer to mesenchymal stromal/stem cells due to the heterogeneous nature of cellular preparations. - Concerns have been raised about the marketing and application of unapproved MSCs and mesenchymal stem cells by for-profit clinics.

Identification and Characterization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells - PMID2071617: Discusses the case of mistaken identity between mesenchymal stromal cells and fibroblasts. - Minimal criteria for defining multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells: The International Society for Cellular Therapy position statement. - Comparison of adipose tissue-derived versus bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem and stromal cells. - Non-hematopoietic bone marrow stem cells: Molecular control of expansion and differentiation. - Characteristics and clinical applications of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.

Immunomodulatory Properties and Interactions of Mesenchymal Stem Cells - MSCs inhibit monocyte-derived DC maturation and function by interfering with the generation of immature DCs. - Inflammatory cytokine-induced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in mesenchymal stem cells are critical for immunosuppression. - Mesenchymal-stem-cell-induced immunoregulation involves FAS-ligand-/FAS-mediated T cell apoptosis. - Mesenchymal stromal cell secretion of programmed death-1 ligands regulates T cell-mediated immunosuppression. - Mesenchymal stem cells inhibit neutrophil apoptosis, preserving neutrophils in the bone marrow niche. - Human mesenchymal stem cells inhibit differentiation and function of monocyte-derived dendritic cells. - Immunobiology of mesenchymal stem cells. - Mesenchymal stem cell-mediated immunosuppression occurs via concerted action of chemokines and nitric oxide. - Human bone marrow stromal cells suppress T-lymphocyte proliferation induced by cellular or nonspecific mitogenic stimuli. - Bone marrow mesenchym