Experimental Study On The Therapy Of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation In MRL/lpr Mice

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the efficacy of umbilieal cord mesenehymal stem cells(MSCs) transplantation in the treatment of the MRI/lpr mice.METHODS:Thirthy two 16-weeks-old MRL/lpr female mice were divided into 4 groups:control group,CTX group, CTX+MSCs group, and MSCs group. The mice (usually at 4 to 5 months of age) with autoimmune diseases in CTX and MSC+CTX group were received intraperitoneal injections of CTX at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight for 2 days. One day after the injection,1×106 MSCs were injected into the MSCs and MSCs+CTX groups via tail vein The control group were treated with 0.5mL normal saline as controls. Twenty-four hours proteinuria and body weight were assessed every four weeks. The levels of serum anti-dsDNA antibodies and IL-10,IL-17,IFN-γ,PDGF were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The histopathology changes of the UC-MSCs surface marks CD105 and CD44 in lung and spleen were RESULTS:The levels of IL-10,IL-17 in CTX+MSCs group was decreased than that in other groups, the difference between them was statistically significant.(P<0.05). The levels of IFN-y in CTX+MSCs group was incresased than that in other groups, the difference between them was statistically significant.(P<0.05).At the 32th weeks,the 24 hours proteinuria in CTX+MSCs group (4.22±1.53) mg/L and MSCs group (5.82±1.23) mg/L was decreased than that in control group (9.81±2.32)mg/L and CTX group (9.64±1.92) mg/L (P<0.01).The difference between CTX+MSCs group (2.63±0.92) and control group (4.83±0.72) of serum levels of anti ds-DNA antibodies was statistically significant(P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in serum levels of ANA between the treatment and control groups. After MSCs transplantation, glomerular hardening treatment and inflammatory cells infiltrating degree relieved than that in the control group.⑤At the 32th weeks, the expression of MSCs surface marks CD 105 and CD44 in lung and spleen was negative.Conclusion:MSCs transplantation can reduce lupus activity of MRL/Ipr mice significantly and have marked therapeutic effect for lupus nephritis, It can also inhibit immune svstem bv reducing the levels of inflammation factors...