1. ¹Department of Rheumatology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
2. ²Department of Neurosciences, Ophthalmology and Genetics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
3. ³Advanced Biotechnology Center (ABC), Genoa, Italy
4. ⁴Center of Excellence for Biomedical research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

Correspondence: Professor A Tyndall, Department of Rheumatology, Basel University, University Rheumatology Clinic, Burgfelderstrasse 101, Basel CH-4012, Switzerland. E-mail: alan.tyndall@fps-basel.ch

Received 22 January 2009; Accepted 22 January 2009; Published online 23 March 2009.

Abstract

MSCs, otherwise known as multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, are being examined for the treatment of autoimmune disease (AD) on the basis of their in vitro antiproliferative properties, efficacy in animal models, apparent low acute toxicity and the early positive anecdotal outcomes in human acute GVHD. Phase I/II clinical trials are underway in Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis (MS) and are being planned for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), systemic vasculitis and other AD. Open issues include patient selection, disease stage and activity, MSC source and expansion and long-term safety. Multidisciplinary groups are collaborating to ensure maximal use of available resources to establish the place, if any, of MSC in the treatment of AD.