Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 mRNA expression in mice with collagen-induced arthritis following heterogenous umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) degrades extracellular matrix, which is a necessity of joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis patients. MMP-2 and MMP-9 can evaluate rheumatoid arthritis and serve as an index to predict progressive destruction of the joint. OBJECTIVE: To observe heterogenous allogeneic umbilical cord blood stem cell (UBSC) transplantation on MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in the spleen of mice with type Ⅱ collagen-induced arthritis. METHODS: Fetus cord blood was sterilely obtained and cord blood stem cells were separated. The C57BL/6(H-2b) mice were assigned to five groups (n=10). Except normal control group, models of collagen-induced arthritis were established using complete Freund's adjuvant + type Ⅱ collagen. Mice from the methopterin group were intragastrically administered methopterin suspension 0.017 5 g/kg, once every 5 days. Other groups used caudal vein injection. Mice from the model and normal control groups were injected with saline. Mice from the mono-UBSCs group and double-UBSCs group were injected with 2×106/kg UBSCs from one and two parents. At 42 days following injection, animals were sacrificed and the ankle joint was obtained for histopathological detection. MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression in the spleen was examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Double-UBSC transplantation could significantly inhibit inflammatory cell infiltration in synovial tissue of mice with type Ⅱ collagen-induced arthritis, repaired impaired cartilage tissue. The repair effect was better than that in methopterin group and mono-UBSCs group. MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression in the spleen was significantly lower in the double-UBSCs group than the mono-UBSCs group (P < 0.01). These suggest that heterogenous allogeneic double-UBSCs transplantation participated in pathological changes in rheumatoid arthritis cartilage and in synthesis of cartilage extracellular matrix and effectively treated rheumatoid arthritis by regulating MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression.