Type 1 and 3 collagen production by bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells is suppressed in vitro after exposure to sepsis patient serum

Severe sepsis is a systemic host response to invading pathogen with activated inflammation, coagulation and tissue remodelling cascades and consequent organ dysfunction. Despite modern intensive care, mortality in severe sepsis remains high. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are known to have many anti-inflammatory features and contribute to the healing process. Many research groups have demonstrated good results using MSCs as an adjunctive treatment of sepsis in animal studies. Recently, a research group conducted a phase I clinical trial to test safety of MSCs on ARDS patients ([1]). To date knowledge of sepsis influence on MSCs is scarce.