Stem cell transplant alleviates symptoms in lupus animal models

(Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair) Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that produces autoantibodies and subsequent immune reactions that can be life threatening when major organs are invaded. When mesenchymal stem cells derived from human bone marrow were transplanted into mice modeled with SLE, inflammation was reduced and nephritis attenuated. The researchers found that MSCs slowed the progression of SLE by suppressing the emergence of the damaging antibodies that are produced with the help of follicular T helper cells.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news