Efficacy of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Mononuclear Cell Transplantation for MSA Treatment and Its Effects on Changes in T-Cell Subsets in Peripheral Blood and Inflammatory Factors

Abstract

Objective. This study is aimed at examining the efficacy of human umbilical cord blood-mononuclear cell (hUCB-MNCs) transplantation through lateral atlanto-occipital space puncture in multiple system atrophy (MSA) treatment and investigating changes in T-cell subsets in peripheral blood and inflammatory factors in patients before and after treatment. Methods. A total of 20 patients with MSA who underwent hUCB-MNC transplantation through lateral atlanto-occipital space puncture in the Liaocheng People's Hospital were enrolled. Patients were followed up at 0, 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment, and the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS) scores, TNF-α in the peripheral blood, IL-6, percentage of CD4, and CD4/CD8 ratio were evaluated and compared for each follow-up point; any adverse effects were recorded. Results. UMSARS Part I scores were 20.55±3.80, 19.20±3.78, and 19.40±4.11, 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively, after treatment and were significantly lower as compared to that before treatment (23.50±4.72; P<0.05). Similarly, UMSARS Part II scores 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment were 25.50±5.01, 24.05±5.01, and 24.25±5.05, respectively, significantly lower as compared to that before treatment (30.15±5.63; P<0.05). The IL-6 values in the peripheral blood 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment were 5.25±2.70 pg/m, 2.96±1.75 pg/m, and 3.31±1.62 pg/m, respectively, which were significantly lower (P<0.05) than that before treatment (8.22±4.69) pg/m. The TNF-α levels at 3 and 6 months after treatment were 13.08±6.13 pg/m and 12.24±4.76 pg/m, respectively, which were significantly lower than that before treatment (22.99±13.30; P<0.01). The CD4/CD8 ratios in the peripheral blood 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment were 1.09±0.25, 1.30±0.24, and 1.43±0.22, respectively, which were significantly different than that before treatment (0.81±0.24, P<0.01). Similarly, the CD4 percentages 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment were 34.09±1.79, 36.05±1.50, and 36.47±1.47, respectively, which were significantly different than that before treatment (0.81±0.24; P<0.01). Conclusion. hUCB-MNC transplantation through lateral atlanto-occipital space puncture could significantly improve the symptoms and signs in patients with MSA and delay the disease progression. Thus, hUCB-MNCs may modulate immune activity and reduce the inflammatory response.