title: Long-term therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells compared to dexamethasone on recurrent experimental autoimmune uveitis of rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We tested the long-term effects of different regimens of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) administration in a recurrent experimental autoimmune uveitis (rEAU) model in rats, and compared the efficacy of MSC to that of dexamethasone (DEX).
  
  
  METHODS
  One or two courses of MSC treatments were applied to R16-specific T cell-induced rEAU rats before or after disease onsets. The DEX injections were given for 7 or 50 days continuously after disease onsets. Clinical appearances were observed until the 50th day after transfer. On the 10th day, T cells from control and MSC groups were analyzed by flow cytometry. Supernatants from the proliferation assay and aqueous humor were collected for cytokine detection. Functions of T cells and APCs in spleens also were studied by lymphocyte proliferation assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One course of MSC therapy, administered after disease onset, led to a lasting therapeutic effect, with a decreased incidence, reduced mean clinical score, and reduced retinal impairment after 50 days of observation, while multiple courses of treatment did not improve the therapeutic benefit. Although DEX and MSCs equally reduced the severity of the first episode of rEAU, the effect of DEX was shorter lasting, and DEX therapy failed to control the disease even with long periods of treatment. The MSCs significantly decreased T helper 1 (Th1) and Th17 responses, suppressed the function of antigen-presenting cells, and upregulated T regulatory cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggested that MSCs might be new corticosteroid spring agents, while providing fewer side effects and longer lasting suppressive effects for recurrent uveitis.
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Lingjun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kentucky Lions Eye Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nian
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Lingling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Chang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Xun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Lijie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Xiaorong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Xiaomin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D051381:Rats; D012008:Recurrence; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014605:Uveitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D003907:Dexamethasone
keywords: T cells; antigen-presenting cells; dexamethasone; mesenchymal stem cells; recurrent experimental autoimmune uveitis