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Umbilical cord stem cells may treat RA
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Mesenchymal stem cells acquired from umbilical cord blood may decrease inflammation and ease collagen-induced arthritis, according to animal and in vitro experiments conducted by investigators in China.
For their study, Zhan-guo Li, MD, PhD, and colleagues from Peking University’s People’s Hospital in Beijing collected immune cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The investigators discovered that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) taken from umbilical cords suppressed the proliferation, invasive behavior and inflammatory responses of fibroblast-like synoviocytes, according to a press release. Animal research conducted by the team also revealed that injecting the umbilical MSCs in mice significantly reduced the severity of collagen-induced arthritis.
“Very little is known about umbilical cord MSCs, and there has been no previous report about their use in the treatment of RA,” Li stated in the release. “MSCs can exert profound immunosuppression, which encourages their use in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as RA.”
Li noted that, unlike aspirating bone marrow for MSCs, collecting cells from umbilical cord blood is a noninvasive procedure.
“RA imparts a massive burden on health services worldwide, and none of the currently used agents reaches long-term drug-free remission,” Li stated. “Therefore, a new and more effective therapy for RA will be very welcome.”
References:
Liu Y, Mu R, Wang S, et al. Therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther. 2010 Nov 16;12(6):R210. [Epub ahead of print]. doi:10.1186/ar3187
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