MSCS in Scenarios of Infection and Inflammation: Focus on Neonatal Diseases

Abstract

The imbalance of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses in favor of inflammation plays a major role in the pathogenesis of many neonatal diseases. Inflammation in the perinatal period carries important long-term consequences, including neurodevelopmental and respiratory complications. Treatments able to restore immune homeostasis may reduce neonatal mortality and prevent long-term deleterious multi-organ consequences of unchecked inflammation. Mesenchymal stromal cells are a heterogenous group of progenitors cells with potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory potential, among other diverse mechanisms of action. Thus, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) may represent a novel and effective therapy for several neonatal diseases, potentially capable of preventing their long-term complications. This paper reviews the role of inflammation in the perinatal period and the therapeutic role of MSCs, focusing on their anti-inflammatory potential.