Myeloid-derive suppressor cells in the therapy of autoimmune diseases.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are well recognised as critical factors in the pathology of tumours. However, their roles in autoimmune diseases are still unclear, which hampers the development of efficient immunotherapies. The role of different MDSCs subsets in multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus displayed different mechanisms of immune suppression, and several studies pointed to MDSCs' capacity to induce T helper (Th)17 cells and tissue damage. These results also suggested that MDSCs could be present in different functional states and utilise different mechanisms for controlling the activity of T and B cells. Therefore, various therapeutic strategies should be employed to restore homeostasis in autoimmune diseases. The therapies harnessing MDSCs could be designed either as cell therapy or rely on the expansion and activation of MDSCs in vivo or their depletion. Cumulatively, MDSCs are inevitable players in autoimmunity, and rational approaches in developing therapies are required to avoid the adverse effects of MDSCs and harness their suppressive mechanisms to improve the overall efficacy of autoimmunity therapy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.