The mechanism of mesenchymal stem cells transplantation into submandibular glands for alleviation of Sj（o）gren's syndrome

QI Jingjing; ZHANG Zhuoya; LIANG Jun; SUN Lingyun; YAO Genhong

doi:10.13431/j.cnki.immunol.j.20180034

Abstract：The intraglandular transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been proved to be an effective approach for treatment of salivary gland damage.However,whether intraglandular transplantation of MSCs can ameliorate salivary gland injury of Sj~gren's syndrome (SS) and its mechanism remains unknown.In this study,the effects of intraglandular transplantation of MSCs on SS mice were investigated for the purposes of providing evidences for clinic application of MSCs to treat patients with SS.The non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice,which were well-known mouse model of SS,were selected for the present study.Total of 5× 105 mesenchymal stem cells were directly administered into salivary glands of mice.The salivary flow rates of NOD mice were detected 4 weeks after the transplantation;the lymphocytic infiltration in tissue sections of salivary glands was analyzed;the apoptotic cells in submandibular glands were determined by flow cytometric analysis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL).Data showed that the salivary flow rates of NOD mice were significantly increased after injection of MSC in submandibular glands,as compared with control mice.The size of lymphocytic infiltrate was smaller in NOT mice after MSC treatment.The apoptotic cells in submandibular glands were markedly reduced after MSC transplantation.These findings suggest that intraglandular transplantation of MSCs can ameliorate SS through inhibiting apoptosis of submandibular gland cells and reducing infiltration of lymphocytes.The present study provides solid evidences for clinic application of MSC transplantation in SS patients.