Transplanting of mesenchymal stem cells may affect proliferation and function of CD4(+)T cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

OBJECTIVES: To research the effects of transplanting mesenchymal stem cells on the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and the mechanism behind it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis animal model was induced by injection of the MOG peptide, and mesenchymal stem cell injection was done 20 and 22 days after experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induction. Clinical scores were recorded daily to evaluate developing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The frequency of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)T cells in the spleen, the thymus, and the lymph nodes were analyzed by flow cytometry, and Foxp3, TGF-β1, and IL-10 mRNA were detected by reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Transplant of mesenchymal stem cells on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice led to a decreased clinical score, an up-regulation of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)T cells, Foxp3, TGF-β1, and IL-10 mRNA in the spleen, the lymph nodes, and the thymus as compared with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice. CONCLUSIONS: Transplant of mesenchymal stem cells may prevent developing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and might be an available method in therapy of multiple sclerosis. Mesenchymal stem cells transplant may affect proliferation and function of CD4(+)T cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)T cell, Foxp3, TGF-β1, and IL-10 may be involved in this process.