Humoral Influence of Repeated Lineage-Negative Stem/Progenitor Cell Administration on Articulatory Functions in ALS Patients

Evidence of Stem Cells Mobilization in the Blood of Patients with Pancreatitis: A Potential Link with Disease Severity

A growing number of studies indicate the potential involvement of various populations of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) in tissue repair. However, the mobilization of BMSCs to the peripheral blood (PB) in acute and chronic pancreatitis (AP and CP) has not been investigated. A total of 78 patients were assigned into AP, CP, and healthy control groups in this study. Using flow cytometry, we found that VSELs, EPCs, and CD133+SCs were mobilized to the PB of patients with both AP and CP. Interestingly, AP and CP patients exhibited lower absolute number of circulating MSCs in the PB compared to healthy individuals. SC mobilization to the PB was more evident in patients with AP than CP and in patients with moderate/severe AP than mild AP. Using ELISA, we found a significantly increased HGF concentration in the PB of patients with AP and SDF1α in the PB of patients with CP. We noted a significant positive correlation between SDF1α concentration and the mobilized population of CD133+SCs in AP and between C5a and the mobilized population of VSELs moderate/severe AP. Thus, bone marrow-derived SCs may play a role in the regeneration of pancreatic tissue in both AP and CP, and mobilization of VSELs to the PB depends on the severity of AP.

Adjuvant Lineage-Negative Cell Therapy as a Potential Silencer of the Complement-Mediated Immune System in ALS Patients

ALS remains a fatal, neurodegenerative motor neuron disease. Numerous studies seem to confirm that innate immune system is involved in the pathophysiology of ALS. Hence, the assessment of the complement system and attempts to modify its activity remain the target of medical intervention in ALS. In the present study, three intrathecal administrations of autologous bone marrow-derived lineage-negative (Lin^–) cells were performed every 6 weeks in 20 sporadic ALS patients. The concentrations of various complement components in the cerebrospinal fluid and plasma at different time points after cell injection were quantified using a Luminex multiplex. The results of the complement system were correlated with the level of leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, fibrinogen and CRP in the peripheral blood and the functional status of ALS patients using Norris and ALS-FRSr scales. The study showed a statistically significant decrease in plasma C3b concentration in all 7th days after cell application. In parallel, a peak decrease in neutrophil count and CRP level was observed on days 5–7, with a simultaneous maximum clinical improvement on days 7–28 of each Lin^– cell administration. Adjuvant Lin^– cell therapy appears to have the silencing potential on the complement-mediated immune system and thus suppress pro-inflammatory reactions responsible for neurodegeneration. However, further in-depth studies are necessary to address this issue.