Therapeutic effects of CTLA4Ig gene-transduced adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on established autoimmune thyroiditis

Cell Transplant. 2015;24(11):2221-36. doi: 10.3727/096368914X685122. Epub 2014 Oct 8.

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the beneficial effects of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) and ASCs that overexpress the CTLA4Ig gene (CTLA4Ig-ASCs) on established autoimmune thyroiditis and to examine changes in clinical chemistry parameters and the presence of humoral responses upon repeated long-term administration of autologous ASCs. This study also aimed to acquire desirable results in a preclinical study by using large-sized lab animals and applying ASCs that overexpress therapeutic genes. Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis was induced by immunization with thyroglobulin. Experimental dogs were divided into five groups: (i) ASC IT + IV, (ii) ASC IV, (iii) CTLA4Ig-ASC IT + IV, (iv) CTLA4Ig-ASC IV, and (v) control IT + IV (saline only), and they received intrathyroidal (IT; 10 million cells/250 µl saline per thyroid) administration one time or intravenous (IV; 20 million cells/5 ml) administration seven times within a 101-day period. Blood samples were collected every week, and thyroids were harvested on days 104-106. After serial ASC or CTLA4Ig transplantation, the levels of canine thyroglobulin autoantibodies (TgAA) in serum and the infiltration of T-lymphocytes between the follicles of the thyroid glands were decreased. The expression of FoxP3 in submandibular lymph nodes was significantly increased. Repeated long-term administration of autologous ASCs or CTLA4Ig-ASCs did not generate changes in clinical chemistry parameters or humoral responses.The TgAA test can detect autoimmune thyroiditis years before clinical signs of hypothyroidism occur. Thus, ASC and CTLA4Ig-ASC transplantation in that period can be attractive candidates to ameliorate autoimmune thyroiditis and prevent the development of hypothyroidism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abatacept / administration & dosage
  • Abatacept / genetics*
  • Abatacept / therapeutic use*
  • Adipose Tissue / cytology
  • Animals
  • Dogs
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Hypothyroidism / drug therapy
  • Hypothyroidism / prevention & control
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Male
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / pathology
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / therapy*

Substances

  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Abatacept