Allogeneic transplantation of umbilical cord-derived  mesenchymal stem cells for diffuse alveolar hemorrhage  in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation (UC-MSCT) has been proved to be effective in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), based on animal experiments and clinical trials. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a rare complication of SLE with a high mortality usually over 50%. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of UC-MSCT in the treatment of SLE-associated DAH. Four SLE patients complicated with DAH, who underwent UC-MSCT, were included. Clinical changes before and after transplantation were assessed by measurements of hemoglobin, platelet level, oxygen saturation, and serological factors. High-resolution CT (HRCT) scans of the chest were performed to evaluate pulmonary manifestation. All the four patients showed dramatic improvements of their clinical manifestations. Hemoglobin was elevated after UC-MSCT and was sustained at a normal level 6 months after UC-MSCT in the four patients. Platelet level was upregulated in two patients who had thrombocytopenia at baseline. Oxygen saturation appeared to be normal at 1 month after UC-MSCT, and this result was confirmed by the HRCT scan of the chest. Serum albumin elevated to 3.5 g/dl 6 months after transplantation. Our findings suggest that UC-MSCT results in amelioration of oxygen saturation as well as hematological and serologic changes, which revealed that UC-MSCT could be applied as a salvage strategy for DAH patients.
Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
Dongyan
D
Shi
Dandan
D
Wang
Xia
X
Li
Huayong
H
Zhang
Nan
N
Che
Zhimin
Z
Lu
Lingyun
L
Sun
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D036101:Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000166:cytology*; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007136:Immunoglobulins