Efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell in the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: an animal study
Abstract Background Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have great potential for treating autoimmune diseases for their immunomodulatory and tissue-regenerative abilities; however, their therapeutic role in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) remains uncertain. Methods...
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Stem Cell Research & Therapy |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04187-8 |
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| author | Chunran Xue Haojun Yu Xuzhong Pei Xiaoying Yao Jie Ding Xiying Wang Yi Chen Yangtai Guan |
| author_facet | Chunran Xue Haojun Yu Xuzhong Pei Xiaoying Yao Jie Ding Xiying Wang Yi Chen Yangtai Guan |
| author_sort | Chunran Xue |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have great potential for treating autoimmune diseases for their immunomodulatory and tissue-regenerative abilities; however, their therapeutic role in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) remains uncertain. Methods 106 hUC-MSCs prepared in 200 μl PBS were intravenously administered to a systemic NMOSD model on day 10 and day 14 after immunization. Then, disease progression, immune responses, and blood–brain barrier integrity were evaluated. Additionally, we tested the effects of hUC-MSCs on astrocyte viability and apoptosis using an aquaporin 4 (AQP4) IgG and complement-induced cytotoxicity model in vitro. Results hUC-MSCs alleviated NMOSD progression in vivo with improved motor function, reduced inflammatory infiltration, myelin loss, and preservation of astrocytes and neurons. hUC-MSC treatment did not affect autoimmune reactions in the spleen, however, decreased cytokine release in the spinal cord and mitigated blood–brain barrier disruption. Furthermore, in vitro studies revealed that co-culture with hUC-MSCs significantly restored astrocyte viability and reduced apoptosis in AQP4 IgG and complement-mediated damage. Conclusion Our results revealed that hUC-MSCs displayed therapeutic efficacy in NMOSD and showed potential in attenuating blood–brain barrier disruption, as well as AQP4 IgG and complement-induced astrocyte apoptosis. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4c01a905e6724295a0bb11d8fa97c0e8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1757-6512 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Stem Cell Research & Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-4c01a905e6724295a0bb11d8fa97c0e82025-02-09T12:15:43ZengBMCStem Cell Research & Therapy1757-65122025-02-0116111310.1186/s13287-025-04187-8Efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell in the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: an animal studyChunran Xue0Haojun Yu1Xuzhong Pei2Xiaoying Yao3Jie Ding4Xiying Wang5Yi Chen6Yangtai Guan7Department of Neurology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineDepartment of Neurology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineSchool of Medicine, Shanghai UniversityDepartment of Neurology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineDepartment of Neurology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineDepartment of Neurology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineDepartment of Neurology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineDepartment of Neurology, Punan Branch of Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine (Punan Hospital in Pudong New District, Shanghai)Abstract Background Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have great potential for treating autoimmune diseases for their immunomodulatory and tissue-regenerative abilities; however, their therapeutic role in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) remains uncertain. Methods 106 hUC-MSCs prepared in 200 μl PBS were intravenously administered to a systemic NMOSD model on day 10 and day 14 after immunization. Then, disease progression, immune responses, and blood–brain barrier integrity were evaluated. Additionally, we tested the effects of hUC-MSCs on astrocyte viability and apoptosis using an aquaporin 4 (AQP4) IgG and complement-induced cytotoxicity model in vitro. Results hUC-MSCs alleviated NMOSD progression in vivo with improved motor function, reduced inflammatory infiltration, myelin loss, and preservation of astrocytes and neurons. hUC-MSC treatment did not affect autoimmune reactions in the spleen, however, decreased cytokine release in the spinal cord and mitigated blood–brain barrier disruption. Furthermore, in vitro studies revealed that co-culture with hUC-MSCs significantly restored astrocyte viability and reduced apoptosis in AQP4 IgG and complement-mediated damage. Conclusion Our results revealed that hUC-MSCs displayed therapeutic efficacy in NMOSD and showed potential in attenuating blood–brain barrier disruption, as well as AQP4 IgG and complement-induced astrocyte apoptosis.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04187-8Aquaporin 4AstrocyteMesenchymal stem cellsNeuromyelitis optica spectrum disorderUmbilical cord |
| spellingShingle | Chunran Xue Haojun Yu Xuzhong Pei Xiaoying Yao Jie Ding Xiying Wang Yi Chen Yangtai Guan Efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell in the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: an animal study Stem Cell Research & Therapy Aquaporin 4 Astrocyte Mesenchymal stem cells Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder Umbilical cord |
| title | Efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell in the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: an animal study |
| title_full | Efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell in the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: an animal study |
| title_fullStr | Efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell in the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: an animal study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell in the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: an animal study |
| title_short | Efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell in the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: an animal study |
| title_sort | efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell in the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders an animal study |
| topic | Aquaporin 4 Astrocyte Mesenchymal stem cells Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder Umbilical cord |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04187-8 |
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