Figure 4

S-BMMSCs showed superior therapeutic effect on SLE-like MRL/ lpr mice. (A) Schema of BMMSC transplantation into MRL/lpr mice. (B) S-BMMSC and BMMSC treatment recover basal membrane disorder and mesangium cell over-growth in glomerular (G) (H&E staining). (C) S-BMMSC and BMMSC transplantation could reduce urine protein levels at two weeks post transplantation compared to the MRL/lpr group. S-BMMSCs offered a more significant reduction compared to BMMSCs. (D, E) The serum levels of anti-dsDNA IgG and IgM antibodies were significantly increased in MRL/lpr mice compared to controls (C3H). S-BMMSC and BMMSC treatments could reduce antibody levels but S-BMMSCs showed a superior treatment effect than BMMSC in reducing anti-dsDNA IgG antibody (D). (F) S-BMMSC and BMMSC treatments could reduce increased levels of anti nuclear antibody (ANA) in MRL/lpr mice. S-BMMSC showed a better effect in ANA reduction compared to BMMSC. (G) S-BMMSC and BMMSC treatments could increase the albumin level in MRL/lpr mice, which was decreased in controls. S-BMMSC treatments were more effective in elevating the albumin level compared to BMMSC treatment. (H) Flow cytometric analysis showed a reduced number of Tregs in MRL/lpr peripheral blood compared to control. BMMSC and S-BMMSC treatments elevated the number of Tregs. S-BMMSCs induced a more significant elevation of the Tregs level than BMMSCs. (I) Flow cytometric analysis showed an increased number of Th17 in MRL/lpr mice peripheral blood compared to control. Th17 were markedly decreased in BMMSC and S-BMMSC treated groups. S-BMMSC treatment induced a more significant reduction of Th17 cells than treatment with BMMSCs. *P <0.05; ** P <0.01; ***P <0.001. The graph bar represents mean ± SD. BMMSCs, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells; Ig, immunoglobulin; S-BMMSCs, BMMSCs in suspension; SD, standard deviation; SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus; Tregs, regulatory T cells.