Autoimmunity and clinical pathology amelioration in SLE by Dexamethasone primed Mesenchymal Stem Cell derived conditioned media

Abstract

This study proposes a novel approach, utilizing cell-free dexamethasone (Dex) primed Whartons jelly mesenchymal stem cells derived conditioned media (DW), offering improved efficacy, simplicity, and alternative medicine for addressing complications associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study explores the immunomodulatory effects of DW treatment on immune cell populations in SLE patients and a pristane-induced lupus (PIL) mouse model. DW induces significant expansion of Tregs, Bregs, suppressing Th17, double-negative T cells, and inflammatory neutrophils through modulating IL-10 and IL-17A production. Comparisons with the standard drug hydroxychloroquine reveal similar effects, suggesting TGF beta; pathway mediation in DWs actions. Compared with the immunosuppressive drug Dex, DW better attenuated autoantibody production, increased anti-inflammatory cytokines and maintained a balanced Th17/Treg ratio. In the preclinical in vivo studies, DW exhibits therapeutic efficacy, reducing mortality, preventing proteinuria, and reversing limb inflammation, seizure and alopecia. Organ specific evaluations using advanced live imaging or histopathological analysis highlighted DWs protective effects on kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, and spleen. This provided insight into the immunomodulatory benefits of DW at various levels and suggested that it could be a potential therapeutic avenue for managing complications related to SLE.