The distribution and effect of allogenic mesenchymal stem cells on joints of collagen induced arthritis rats / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the distribution of allogenic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) on joints of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats and to investigate their repair effects on joint damages. Methods Five Wistar rats were used for extraction of mesenchymal stem cells and 30 adult female Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups the CIA rats group A (n=10), CIA rats group B (n=10) and normal rats control group C (n=10). BM-MSCs of Wistar rats were isolated, cultured in vitro routinely and the fourth passages was taken for identification of specific surface antigens by flow cytometry, then the cells were labeled with 5-bromodeoxyuridine (5-BrdU) in vitro. The models of CIA rats were established. 5-BrdU labeled BM-MSCs (1.0×107 cells/kg) were imfused from through tail vein to CIA rats group A and control group C. During the first 4 weeks after BM-MSCs transplantation, changes of general condition and left hind paw swelling were examined. At the fourth week, immunohistochemical examination of 5 -BrdU and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were performed to investigate BM-MSCs aggregation around the knee joints. The contribution of BM -MSCs to repairing of joint damages was identified. Comparisons between groups were performed by t-test. Results After BM-MSCs transplantation, left hindpaw swelling of group A were relieved compared with group B (P＜0.05) and the mobility of the joints was significantly improved. At the fourth week, much more implanted cells (5-BrdU positive cells.) were detected in the damaged knee joints than those in normal knee joints. The average grey scale values on synovium of knee joints in the CIA group A (85±9) was significantly lower than that of the normal group C (110±6, P＜0.05). At the same time, OPG expression was increased in damaged knee joints. The average grey scale values on synovium of knee joints in CIA group A (54±4) was significantly lower than that of the CIA group B (77±6, P＜0.05). Conclusion The transplanted allogeneic bone marrow mesenchy-mal stem cells can migrate to sites of damaged tissue in arthritis. They can prevent tissue damage and repair the damaged joints tissue by increasing OPG expression. This study has provided some evidence for developing effective therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.