A study published in Scientific Reports explores the potential therapeutic effects of human nasal turbinate-derived stem cells (hNTSCs) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Researchers investigated hNTSCs in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice to evaluate their impact on disease severity and identify gene signatures associated with therapeutic effects.
hNTSCs were collected from 20 healthy individuals undergoing nasal turbinate surgery. These cells demonstrated mesenchymal stem cell-like characteristics, differentiating into osteoblasts and adipocytes while expressing high levels of CXCL1 and osteoprotegerin (OPG). When administered to CIA mice, hNTSCs were observed to persist in joint tissues for 8 to 12 weeks, reducing both arthritis severity scores and overall incidence of arthritis.
One key finding was the immunomodulatory role of hNTSCs. The study showed that these stem cells suppressed CD4+CD25− T cell proliferation, an effect that was reversed by the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor 1-MT, suggesting an IDO-mediated mechanism of T cell suppression. Additionally, hNTSCs inhibited osteoclast differentiation, a process involved in joint destruction, and this effect was diminished by the application of anti-OPG antibodies.
Gene expression analysis revealed that hNTSCs with therapeutic effects in CIA mice displayed distinct gene signatures, including upregulation of KRTAP1-5, HAS2, and CXCL1, and downregulation of GSTT2B and C4B. These findings suggest that specific genetic markers may contribute to the therapeutic potential of hNTSCs in RA treatment.
Overall, this study highlights the anti-inflammatory and bone-preserving properties of hNTSCs in an RA model, providing insights into their potential application in regenerative medicine.
