Interleukin-25 primed mesenchymal stem cells achieve better therapeutic effects on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis via inhibiting Th17 immune response and inducing T regulatory cell phenotype.

Abstract

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of IL-25 mediated mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a DSS-induced rat colitis model. METHODS: Rats with DSS-induced colitis were divided into control and treatment groups: normal control group (rats fed with water), DSS group (rats fed with DSS solution), MSC group (DSS-treated rats injected intravenously with GFP-MSCs), IL-25-MSC group (DSS-treated rats injected intravenously with IL-25 primed GFP-MSCs), and mesalazine group (DSS-treated rats fed with mesalazine). RESULTS: cells increased in IL-25-MSC group as compared with MSC group. The expressions of Ki67 and LGR5 were significantly elevated in MSC treatment groups as compared with normal control group, DSS group, and mesalazine group. Definite GFP positive cells were not observed in the intestine of MSC-treated rats. CONCLUSION: IL-25 primed MSCs exert improved therapeutic effects on the intestinal inflammation of IBD rats which may be related to the inhibition of Th17 immune response and induction of T Regulatory cell phenotype. Thus, IL-25 may be an attractive candidate for MSC-based therapy of IBD.