Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Recently, a substantial progress has been made in the field of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation (MSCT). Experimental and clinical data suggest that MSCT has been a promising therapy strategy for severe and refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). From March, 2007 to now, more than 210 SLE patients in the world have received the MSCT. Over 90 % of the transplantations were carried out in the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School in China. The reported main types of cell source are allogenic bone marrow (BM, 21 %) and umbilical cord (UC, 78 %) and autologous BM (1 %). The infused MSCs dose was 1 × 106 per kg body weight. The outcome measures, such as disease activity, 24-h proteinuria, serologic features and even glomerular filtration rate have improved significantly. In addition, no serious adverse events related to MSCT were reported so far. Double UC-MSCT could not enhance therapeutic effect compared with single transplantation in refractory SLE. This chapter will review the rationale, progress and perspectives of MSCT in treatment of SLE.