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Fig. 6 | Stem Cell Research & Therapy

Fig. 6

From: mTOR inhibition improves the immunomodulatory properties of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by inducing COX-2 and PGE2

Fig. 6

Schematic representation of the effect of the TSC-mTOR pathway on the immunosuppressive properties and immunogenicity of MSCs. Short-term exposure to rapamycin inhibits mTORC1 and promotes the transcription of COX-2 followed by increasing the secretion of PGE2, whereas prolonged exposure to rapamycin inhibits mTORC2 and decreases the expression of COX-2. Further investigations are needed to ascertain whether mTORC2 mediates the upregulation of COX-2 by mTORC1 inhibition. Short-term exposure to rapamycin also decreases the membrane expression of MHC-II, which is upregulated by IFN-γ; knockdown of TSC2 has an opposite effect. COX-2 cyclooxygenase-2, IFN interferon, IFNGR interferon receptor, MHC major histocompatibility complex, mTORC mammalian target of rapamycin complex, PGE 2 prostaglandin-E2, TSC tuberous sclerosis complex

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