Internal Peacekeepers And External Mediators: A New Model Of Peripheral Immune Tolerance Involving Regulatory T Cells And Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The editorial introduces a new model of peripheral immune tolerance involving regulatory T cells (Tregs) and mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs). Tregs function as internal checkpoints to control immune responses, while MSCs act as external checkpoints, responding to inflammation by secreting immunosuppressive mediators, promoting tissue repair, and reducing excessive immune responses. This integrated model provides insights into autoimmune disease mechanisms and tumor immune evasion, highlighting the potential of MSC-based immunomodulatory therapies. However, it also cautions that excessive immunosuppression could facilitate tumor immune evasion.