Transplantation of CTLA4Ig gene-transduced adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells reduces inflammatory immune response and improves Th1/Th2 balance in experimental autoimmune thyroiditis.
BACKGROUND:Autoimmune thyroiditis is one of common organ-specific autoimmune disease. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (ATMSC) and CTLA4Ig gene-transduced ATMSC on autoimmune thyroiditis.
METHODS:Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis was induced by immunization with thyroglobulin. Animals were divided into three groups: (i) a half million of human ATMSC, (ii) a half million of murine CLTA4Ig gene-transduced human ATMSC (CTLA4Ig-MSC), or (iii) normal saline (as control), which were administered intravenously four times within a 3-week period. Blood and tissue samples were collected 1 week after the last cell transplantation.
