Suppression of Canine Dendritic Cell Activation/Maturation and Inflammatory Cytokine Release by Mesenchymal Stem Cells Occurs Through Multiple Distinct Biochemical Pathways

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) represent a readily accessible source of cells with potent immune modulatory activity. MSCcan suppress ongoing inflammatory responses by suppressing T cell function, while fewer studies have examined the impact of MSC on dendritic cell (DC) function. The dog spontaneous disease model represents an important animal model with which to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of cellular therapy with MSC. This study evaluated the effects of canine MSC on the activation and maturation of canine monocyte-derived DC, as well as mechanisms underlying these effects. Adipose-derived canine MSC were cocultured with canine DC, and the MSC effects on DC maturation and activation were assessed by flow cytometry, cytokine ELISA, and confocal microscopy. We found that canine MSC significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated upregulation of DC activation markers such as major histocompatibility class II (MHCII), CD86, and CD40. Furthermore, pretreatment of MSC with interferon gamma (IFN gamma) augmented this suppressive activity. IFN gamma-activated MSC also significantly reduced LPS-elicited DC secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha without reducing secretion of interleukin-10. The suppressive effect of IFN gamma-treated MSC on LPS-induced DC activation was mediated by soluble factors secreted by both MSC and DC. Pathways of DC functional suppression included programmed death ligand-1 expression and secretion of nitrous oxide, prostaglandin E2, and adenosine by activated MSC. Coculture of DC with IFN gamma-treated MSC maintained DC in an immature state and prolonged DC antigen uptake during LPS maturation stimulus. Taken together, canine MSC are capable of potently suppressing DC function in a potentially inflammatory microenvironment through several separate immunological pathways and confirm the potential for immune therapy with MSC in canine immune-mediated disease models.