Transplantation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells ameliorates autoimmune pathogenesis in MRL/lpr mice : Modulation of the balance between Th17 and Treg.

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells characterized by immunomodulatory properties and are therefore considered apromising tool for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether transplantation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) affects the autoimmune pathogenesis in MRL/lpr mice. Fifteen12-week-oldMRL/lprmice were randomly divided into three groups: ADSC, cyclophosphamide (CTX), and control groups, with five mice in each group. ADSC and control groups were injected with 1 × 106ADSCs orPBS, respectively, via the tail vein, once aweek for 8weeks.The CTX group was injected with CTX at adose of 15 mg/kg body weight, once aweek for 2weeks, and this was repeated after 2weeks rest. Proteinuria, anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibody, and serum creatinine levels were then measured. The populations of Th17 and Treg cells in the spleen were detected by flow cytometry. All statistical analyses were performed using least square difference. Eight weeks after treatment, the 24 hproteinuria, anti-dsDNA antibody levels, and serum creatinine were decreased significantly with transplantation of mouse ADSCs. ADSCs markedly reduced the number of TH17 cells, increased Treg cells, and improved renal pathology. Our results indicate that transplantation of ADSCs could significantly inhibit autoimmune progression in MRL/lpr mice and the efficacy of ADSCs was comparable to that of CTX.