Course correction of adjuvant arthritis with cryopreserved multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that occurs as a result of impaired immune tolerance, leading to an aberrant immune response to autologous antigens. Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MMSCs) and the biologically active substances they produce can promote the activation of regenerative processes in the organism not only by direct cell differentiation, but also due to their inherent trophic and immunosuppressive potentials. The aim of the study was to experimentally evaluate changes in the course of the acute phase of adjuvant arthritis upon local and generalized administration of cryopreserved MMSCs from adipose and cartilage tissues. The results of histological, imunohistochemical and biochemical studies showed that the animals of the control group throughout the observation period developed an inflammatory process, which manifested in joint swelling (increased arthritis index), leukocytosis, spread of chondrocyte-free zones, weakening of staining, loss of clarity of cartilage tissue contours, increased content of cyclooxygenase-2, reduced glycosaminoglycan content and total antioxidant defense system activity. At the same time, the local administration of cryopreserved MMSCs from adipose and cartilage tissues contributed to the normalization of the structural and functional organization, content of glycosaminoglycans and cyclooxygenase-2 with complete recovery of blood parameters. Less pronounced regeneration processes in articular cartilage occurred under generalized administration of cryopreserved MMSCs from adipose and cartilage tissues in comparison with the local method. However, the difference between the control and experimental groups indicates the ability of cryopreserved MMSCs to influence the intensity of regenerative processes in damaged cartilage tissue with both methods of administration. Comparative evaluation of the use of cryopreserved MMSCs from adipose and cartilage tissues showed the absence of significant changes in the studied indicators. These data can be used to substantiate and develop methods of arthritis treatment in clinical practice.

Keywords

• cell therapy; cartilage; adipose tissue; method of administration; rats