NFATs take part in the expression of the immunmodulatory PGE2 by hMSCs

Background: Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) display immunomodulatory effects partially mediated by soluble factors like prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and have been successfully used in the treatment of graft-versus-host-disease. Information about transcriptional mechanisms regulating hMSC function is scarce. Nuclear Factor of Activated T cells (NFAT) is a transcription factor known to control T-cell-dependent immune responses. In resting cells, NFAT is phosphorylated, cytoplasmic and inactive, while upon stimulation NFAT is dephosphorylated by the phosphatase calcineurin, leading to nuclear translocation and acti…