Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells in a rheumatoid arthritis rat model.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are of increased importance because of their capacity to counteract inflammation and suppress host immune responses.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of MSCs and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Paw swelling was assessed by measuring the thickness of the hind paws using a caliper. Cytokines - interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and IL-10 - and rheumatoid factor (RF) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Oxidative stress biomarkers - malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were assessed. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) was detected by the western blot technique. Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein-1 (COMP-1) gene expression were assessed by the real-time quantitative analysis. Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from the bone marrow (BM) of rats and HSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord blood (UCB).

RESULTS: Paw edema, RA score, RF, cytokine assay, antioxidant state, NF-κB, TLR-2, MMP3, and COMP-1 showed improvement in the group that received MSCs compared to the group that received HSCs and the group that received methotrexate.

CONCLUSIONS: Mesenchymal stem cells are very effective in reducing RA inflammation; they are superior to HSC and methotrexate treatment. Mesenchymal stem cells could become a better therapeutic opportunity for the treatment of RA.