Immunomodulation and immunogenicity are pivotal aspects for the therapeutic use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Since the horse is highly valuable as both a patient and translational model, further knowledge on equine MSC immune properties is required. This study analysed how inflammation, chondrogenic differentiation and compatibility for the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) influence the MSC immunomodulatory-immunogenicity balance. Equine MSCs in basal conditions, pro-inflammatory primed (MSC-primed) or chondrogenically differentiated (MSC-chondro) were co-cultured with either autologous or allogeneic MHC-matched/mismatched lymphocytes in immune-suppressive assays (immunomodulation) and in modified one-way mixed leukocyte reactions (immunogenicity). After co-culture, frequency and proliferation of T cell subsets and B cells were assessed by flow cytometry and interferon-ɣ (IFNɣ) secretion by ELISA. MSC-primed showed higher regulatory potential by decreasing proliferation of cytotoxic and helper T cells and B cells. However, MHC-mismatched MSC-primed can also activate lymphocytes (proliferative response and IFNɣ secretion), likely due to increased MHC-expression. MSC-chondro maintained their regulatory ability and did not increase their immunogenicity, but showed less capacity than MSC-primed to induce regulatory T cells and further stimulated B cells. Subsequent in vivo studies are needed to elucidate the complex interactions between MSCs and the recipient immune system, which is critical to develop safe and effective therapies.
Keywords: allogenic therapy; co-culture; flow cytometry; haplotype; horse; immunogenicity; immunomodulation; immunosuppression assay; mesenchymal stem cells; modified mixed leukocyte reaction.