Influence of mesenchymal stem cells from different origins on the therapeutic effectiveness of systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder characterized by alterations in the balance between inflammatory and regulatory cytokines. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are non-hematopoietic stem cells with multipotent differentiation potential, due to their immunomodulatory, tissue repair, low immunogenicity, and chemotactic properties, have garnered increasing interest in SLE treatment. Studies increasingly reveal the heterogeneous nature of MSC populations. With sources including dental pulp, adipose tissue, bone marrow, and umbilical cord, the therapeutic effects of MSCs on SLE vary depending on their origin. This review consolidates clinical research on MSCs from different sources in treating SLE and analyzes the possible causes underlying these variable outcomes. Additionally, it elucidates five potential factors impacting the outcomes of MSC therapy in SLE: the influence of the microenvironment on MSCs, the complexity and paradoxical aspects of MSC mechanisms in SLE treatment, the heterogeneity of MSCs, the in vivo differentiation potential and post-transplant survival rates of MSCs, and disparities in MSC preparation conditions.