Effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on immune regulation and tissue damage in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2016.01.011

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Because of unique immunomodulatory properties, mesenchymal stem cels have become a research hotspot in the field of transplantation and the treatment of immune disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cels on immune level and tissue injury in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. METHODS: The clinical data of 61 patients with ankylosing spondylitis were analyzed retrospectively, and these <br> patients were divided into control group (n=33) and observation group (n=28) according to the treatment method, who were given immune and biological agents or umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel infusion, respectively. Al the patients were folowed up for 12 months and at 12 months after treatment, therapeutic effect, immune level, disease activity index and adverse reactions were observed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The total effective rate was 89% in the observation group and 76% in the control group, and there was a significant difference between groups. At 12 months after treatment, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and other indicators were improved in al the patients, especialy in the observation group (P < 0.05); the disease activity index scores were reduced gradualy in the two groups, which were significantly lower in the observation group than the control group beginning at 3 months after treatment (P < 0.05). In the observation group, one case presented with injection extravasation and then the injection was successfuly completed after re-choice of the blood vessel; two cases had mild fever, and their temperature returned to normal after active physical cooling. These findings indicate that umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cels for ankylosing spondylitis can remarkably improve the immune level, reduce tissue damage and result in little adverse effects in patients. Cite this article:Wang J, Chen L. Effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel transplantation on immune regulation and tissue damage in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Zhongguo Zuzhi Gongcheng Yanjiu. 2016;20(1):60-64.