Stem Cell Treatment of Inflammatory Autoimmune Disease

Jorgensen, et al, stated in 2004 that mesenchymal stem cells appeared to be good candidates for the regeneration of arthritic tissue and that more research was required to assess their viability. This research has been carried out in subsequent years by a whole host of scientists such as Mao (2005), González (et al, 2009), and Tyndall (et al, 2010) along with research into haematopoeitic stem cells for rheumatoid arthritis (Sykes, et al, 2005). Studies have however largely been restricted to animal models which means that the findings may not directly translate to human patients. Animals with induced rheumatoid arthritis treated with stem cells have shown improvement in their condition due to a down-regulated Th1-induced autoimmune response. Human adipose-derived stem cells were found to lower levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in mouse models and to actively increase the production of anti-inflammatory substance interleukin-10 in lymph nodes and joints in a study by Zhou (et al, 2011).

Stem Cells for AI Hearing Loss

A, perhaps unexpected, benefit of human AD-MSCs found in the study by Zhou (et al, 2011) was the de novo generation of antigen-specific CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg cells, which were then able to suppress those immune system cells which react against the body’s own tissue. This particular trial was carried out to observe treatment effects in mouse with autoimmune hearing loss, a poorly recognized condition but one which would benefit perhaps from the development of stem cell treatments for more widely known conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Immunomodulation and Regeneration with Stem Cells

Stem cell treatments for autoimmune diseases are likely to take a combination approach to treating the condition; firstly to provide an immunomodulatory effect to reduce further damage to tissues and organs and, secondly, to aid regeneration of those bodily structures already damaged by the disease. Most stem cell research is concentrated currently on the immunomodulatory effects of treatment in autoimmune disease. As research continues into the use of stem cells for inhibition of early autoimmune disease progression it is increasingly likely that a combined strategy will be developed through clinical trials for those with more advanced autoimmune disease. For example, those with secondary progressive and relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis are the current focus of research into immunomodulatory stem cell treatments as these may allow earlier, less severe damage to be reversed.

Those with a later stage primary progressive form of the disease are unlikely however to benefit from immunomodulation as the damage is already too extensive. Embryonic stem cell research into spinal cord injury may offer these patients an opportunity for regeneration of tissues and trials may then be carried out to assess the merits of introducing stem cells intrathecally or intraparenchymally in patients with more advanced autoimmune disease.

Stem Cell Reactions Differ in Living Tissue

However, a review of stem cell research, by Buja and Vela (2010), found considerable variation in the reactions of embryonic and mesenchymal stem cells when observed in the laboratory and when implanted into living tissue. It appears that these stem cells can develop an immune response when placed in inflamed tissue which would then raise concerns over their use in acute trauma such as spinal cord injury, and also chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. It may also affect the timing of stem cell treatment for patients with an episodic autoimmune disease such as multiple sclerosis. There has been no evidence of an autoimmune response developing following the administration of stem cells into an already inflammatory situation but it is also important to remember that this has not been a focus of research as laboratory tests had reassured scientists that the stem cells did not incur an immune response.

Continue Reading –> The Safety of Stem Cell Treatments for Autoimmune Disease