ALLOGENIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION DELAYS STRUCTURE DEGRADATION RATE IN ADJUVANT ARTHRITIS RATS

Background: Stem cells are unique resource for treatment of many diseases (i.e. autoimmune disease). There are few publications about experimental study of effectiveness of stem cell transplantation in adjuvant arthritis rats.Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare efficacy of allogenic embryonic stem cell transplantation and control treatment in adjuvant arthritis rats.Methods: Research was performed in 35 rats with adjuvant induced arthritis (controls before treatment – 14 days after introduction of complete Freund''s adjuvant; controls without any treatment and normal healthy rats; rats after allogenic embryonic stem cells transplantation; 15 rats with adjuvant arthritis after treatment for 14 days by Leflunomide, Dexamethasone, Cyclophosphamide; n=5 per group). Morphologic changes were demonstrated through examination of histological specimens of the knee joint. Histological evaluation of arthritis severity was performed on the EDTA decalcified, paraffin-embedded sections after coloration by H&E, toluidine blue and PAS. Cell proliferation was assessed by staining on PCNA (clone PC10, DAKO, Denmark). All changes were assessed semiquantitatively according to own scheme by 3 different experts and mean score was calculated.Results: Results of our study presented in table 1. In all rats it was presented structure- and inflammation-modifying action of DMARDs (Leflunomide, Cyclophosphamide), glucocorticoid (Dexamethesone) and stem cell transplantation. Stem cells had no effect on cartilage proliferation, but inhibited proliferation of granulation tissue. Criteria Before Without Stem Leflunomide Cyclophos- Dexametha- treatment treatment cell phamide sone Synovial prolifer 1.0±0.1 1.6±0.22 1.0±0.1 1.0±0.1 2.0±0.0 0.67±0.24 Cartilage prolifer 0.0±0.0 1.4±0.22 1.5±0.29 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0 0.33±0.24 Granulation 0.33±0.24 1.8±0.34 0.5±0.29 0.67±0.24 0.67±0.24 1.33±0.24 Activity score 5.0±0.41 8.0±0.29 5.5±0.29 3.67±0.62 5.0±0.2 4.67±0.47 Conclusion: Among investigated drugs & methods Leflunomide was the most potent antiarthritis drug. Dexamethasone and Cyclophosphamide had less influence on arthritis activity. However stem cells transplantation also inhibited joint destruction on the level, comparative with Cyclophosphamide.Citation: Ann Rheum Dis, volume 64, supplement III, year 2005, page 450Session: Rheumatoid Arthritis – Treatment