“All for one, and one for all”?: defining the impact of metabolic disease on critical parameters of mesenchymal stromal cell therapy

Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy is a type of cell-based therapy, wherein cells rather than pharmaceuticals are used as living, environmentally responsive therapeutics. In particular, MSCs are being explored for the treatment of diseases involving the immune system, including graft-versus-host disease, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis due to their ability to dampen the activity of inflammatory immune cells. As interest in the use of MSCs has grown, so too has the diversity of MSCs as a cell product, as well as the potential patients eligible to be treated. The environmentally responsive nature of MSCs is viewed as a key advantage over standard pharmaceuticals. However, in patients with metabolic disease like obesity and type 2 diabetes, there is evidence that MSCs may be negatively affected by these harsh environments. Currently, the understanding of MSC therapeutic behavior in diseased metabolic environments is not well-defined. With more than 1 in 3 Americans now obese, it is critical to understand how obesity and other metabolic diseases impact the potency of therapies like MSC therapy. The goal of my research is to determine how specific factors elevated within obese and/or type 2 diabetic patients, including glucose and saturated fatty acids, affect the ability of MSCs to dampen immune responses. Additionally, I am interested in determining different strategies to improve the ability of MSCs to remain therapeutically beneficial in harsh environments. Through this research, I aim to ensure that vital new therapies are available to a broad and growingly diverse range of potential patients.