TNFAIP6 and Optic neuropathy: In support of our observation that ASCs respond to pro-inflammatory cytokines by secreting a higher concentration of TSG-6 that suppresses pro-inflammatory microglial and endothelial activation in a STAT3 dependent pathway, human MSCs are found to be neuroprotective in optic neuropathies through suppression of STAT3 and other pathways [50].