IL6 and myelodysplastic syndrome: Ex vivo expanded patient- and HD-derived BM-MSCs did not differ in morphology or immunophenotype. MDS derived BM-MSCs secreted more IL6, but less TGFβ1 and HGF, as compared to their normal counterparts. They demonstrated a weaker inhibitory effect on T cell proliferation but a similar capacity to induce Tregs, in comparison to normal BM-MSCs. LR MDS secreted less TGFβ1 (shown to be involved in Treg generation), had a lower Treg inducible rate and exerted a poorer down regulation of T cell proliferation and as compared to HR MDS