Aim: To investigate the therapeutic effect of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) transplantation on experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) and study the possible mechanism.
Methods: EAN model was established by immunizing Lewis rats with P(0)180-199 peptide and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). In the therapy group, BMSCs (2x10(6) cells/rat) were marked with fluorochrome PKH26 and injected into the rats' caudal vein 10 d after immunization. The therapeutic effect of BMSC transplantation on EAN rats was investigated by clinical assessment, immunohistochemical staining, and ELISA, respectively.
Results: The injected BMSCs could migrate to the demyelinated nerve tissues, and the demyelination and inflammatory infiltration was relieved. The infiltration of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and the sera level of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha were decreased significantly (P<0.05), whereas IL-4 level in the supernatant of cultured lymphocytes was increased (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Certain therapeutic effect of BMSC transplantation on EAN was observed. BMSCs could reverse the disbalance of Th1/Th2 cells by regulating the cytokine expression and could inhibit the activation and proliferation of T cells.