Research progress of mesenchymal stromal cells therapy for patients with inflammatory bowel disease

The inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes  Crohn′s disease and ulcerative colitis. The incidence of IBD is rising on a yearly basis in China, followed by an increased number of patients who suffer from the complications. Medicines and surgical treatment are the major maneuver in the management of patients with IBD. Recently, mesenchymal stromal cells MSCs were found to exert powerful immunomodulatory effects, which suggest the possibility of an alternative treatment for patients with IBD. In this article, the most recent literatures in this field will be reviewed combining with our own clinical experiences.The functions of MSCs, the pathogenesis of IBD and research situation of MSCs therapy for patients with IBD will be discussed.