In contrast to the significant advances in our understanding of the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) populations in bone marrow (BM), little is known about the MSCs that are resident in the synovial joint and their possible roles in the tissue homeostasis, chronic inflammation as well as in repair. Neural crest is a transient embryonic structure, generating multipotential MSC capable of migrating along peripheral nerves and blood vessels to colonize most tissue types. In adult, these MSC can provide functional stromal support as a stem cell niche for lymphocyte progenitors for instance in the BM and the thymus. Critically, MSC have major immunoregulatory activities to control adverse inflammation and infection. These MSC will remain associated to vessels (perivascular (p) MSC) and their unique expression of markers such as myelin P0 and transcription factors (e.g. Gli1 and FoxD1) has been instrumental to develop transgenic mice to trace the fate of these cells in health and disease conditions. Intriguingly, recent investigations of chronic inflammatory diseases argue for an emerging role of pMSC in several pathological processes. In response to tissue injuries and with the release of host cell debris (e.g. alarmins), pMSC can detach from vessels and proliferate to give rise to either lipofibroblasts, osteoblasts involved in the ossification of arteries and myofibroblasts contributing to fibrosis. This review will discuss currently available data that suggest a role of pMSC in tissue homeostasis and pathogenesis of the synovial tissue and joints. Graphical abstract.
Keywords: Alarmins; Fibroblast-like synoviocytes; Glia; Inflammation; Mesenchymal stem cells; Neural crest.