Therapeutic application of mesenchymal stromal cells in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are currently under investigation for the treatment of infl ammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease. The models of colitis induced by intrarectal infusion of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) or by oral administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in susceptible mouse strains have been commonly used as preclinical tools to demonstrate the efficiency of treatments with MSCs isolated from various sources. Both models are being and will be critical to improve MSC-based therapies in human IBD by assaying new pathways, therapeutic regimes and tissue targeting strategies. Here, we describe our experiences in the treatment of acute and chronic TNBS- and DSS- induced colitis with MSCs.