Expanded cryopreserved mesenchymal stromal cells as an optimal source for graft-versus-host disease treatment
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are fibroblast-like cells present in different types of tissues. Their immunomodulatory potential represents a promising method for post-transplant immunotherapy in the treatment of GVHD (graft-versus-host disease) with suboptimal response to standard immunosuppression.
In this study we tested influence of 1e8 month-long cryopreservation on ability of MSC to suppress activation of non-specifically stimulated lymphocytes. We did not observe any changes in proliferation capacity of MSC after thawing.
Lymphocytes metabolic activity was inhibited by 30% and number of dividing cells was three times smaller in the presence of MSC. Two activation markers were studied (CD25 and CD69) to confirm preservation of functional cell integrity.
Expression of CD25 antigen on CD3ţCD4ţ and CD3ţCD4 cells was decreased in all cocultivated samples. Level of CD69 expression on CD3ţCD4ţ cells was lower in samples with added MSC (10e15% on day ţ2) but without reaching statistical significance.
The lower expression (approximately 5%) was observed also on CD4-cells. The study confirms the preservation of immunomodulatory properties of cryopreserved and reexpanded MSC.
Aliquots with cryopreserved cells can represent an optimal source for a quick preparation of MSC cell product with the possibility to apply the same cells repeatedly.