Journal article
Fate and Function of Exogenously Administered MSCs: Current Insights and Future Directions
Cytotherapy (Oxford, England), Vol.28(2), 102007
02/2026
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2025.102007
PMID: 41420629
Abstract
The in vivo fate of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), including their clearance, interaction with host tissues, and persistence, remains incompletely understood following systemic or local clinical administration to patients. Although immune-mediated clearance mechanisms, such as triggering of the instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR), coagulation and complement pathways activation, apoptosis, and efferocytosis have been identified, their contributions to MSC function and efficacy are still under investigation. To address these knowledge gaps, an international panel of global experts in MSC biology and clinical regenerative medicine convened to assess current evidence and define key unanswered questions. Discussions were structured around three thematic domains: (1) biodistribution and mechanisms following systemic delivery; (2) biological implications of local or depot-based administration, and (3) the dynamics of MSC persistence and clearance in vivo. A major focus was on the role of MSC apoptosis and its immunological consequences, particularly interactions between apoptotic MSCs, phagocytes, and endothelial barriers. This perspective highlights the most urgent research questions identified during the meeting and in follow-up discussions and proposes experimental strategies to move beyond traditional cell tracking toward interrogating functional persistence, immune modulation, and delivery context. Addressing these gaps will deepen our understanding of MSCs in vivo and guide the development of safer, predictable, and effective MSC-based interventions.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Fate and Function of Exogenously Administered MSCs: Current Insights and Future Directions
- Creators
- Ali Shokoohmand - The University of QueenslandNikita M Patel - The Royal Free HospitalLorena Braid - Simon Fraser UniversityMassimo Dominici - University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaTracy S.P. Heng - Australian Regenerative Medicine InstituteJames A. Ankrum - University of IowaJayita Barua - University of VermontAndrés Caicedo - Universidad San Francisco de QuitoMichael Creane - HAON Lifescience, Dublin, IrelandLindsay Davies - Integrated Cardio Metabolic CentreClaudia C. dos Santos - University of TorontoSara Rolandsson Enes - Lund UniversityKaren English - National University of Ireland, MaynoothDominique Farge - Hôpital Saint-LouisMaría Fernández-García - Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y TecnológicasJacques Galipeau - University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer CenterNadir Kadri - Karolinska InstitutetMaroun Khoury - Universidad de Los Andes, ChileStephen Kilfeather - Aeirtec (United Kingdom)Mauro Krampera - University of VeronaAnna Krasnodembskaya - Queen's University BelfastManoj Lalu - Ottawa Hospital Research InstituteKatarina Le Blanc - Karolinska InstitutetGuido Moll - Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Center and School for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT/BSRT), Berlin, GermanyJan Nolta - University of California, DavisCecilia O’Kane - The Royal Free HospitalPatricia R.M. Rocco - Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroYufang Shi - Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and HealthDaniel J. Weiss - University of VermontSowmya Viswanathan - Krembil Research Institute
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Cytotherapy (Oxford, England), Vol.28(2), 102007
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jcyt.2025.102007
- PMID
- 41420629
- NLM abbreviation
- Cytotherapy
- ISSN
- 1465-3249
- eISSN
- 1477-2566
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc; London
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 11/15/2025
- Date published
- 02/2026
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center
- Record Identifier
- 9985033873502771
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