Mesenchymal stem cell expression of interleukin-35 protects against ulcerative colitis by suppressing mucosal immune responses

Abstract Background Interleukin-35 (IL-35) has recently been identified as an immunosuppressive cytokine that has been used as a potential therapy for chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, there remains a paucity of data regarding its potential benefits after integration into mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Methods We used a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)–induced colitis mice model and treated them with IL-35-MSCs, MSCs or saline. The body weight was recorded daily and inflammatory processes were determined. Cytokine secretion by lamina propria lymphocytes (LPLs) and percentage of regulatory T cells (Tregs) were also measured. Results The data showed that mice in the two treated groups recovered their body weight more rapidly than mice treated with saline in the later stage of colitis. The colon lengths of IL-35-MSC–treated mice were markedly longer than those in the other two groups and the inflammation reduced significantly. Furthermore, the percentage of Foxp3 + Tregs increased significantly and the level of proinflammatory cytokines produced by LPLs decreased significantly in the IL-35-MSC–treated group. Discussion The results demonstrate that IL-35-MSCs could ameliorate ulcerative colitis by down-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.