The CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Regulatory T Cells Regulated by MSCs Suppress Plasma Cells in a Mouse Model of Allergic Rhinitis

BACKGROUND: Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is the most common immunological disease that has been associated with inflammatory responses and is characterized by sneezing. Previous studies found that AR's allergen exposure significantly induces plasma cells and reduces regulatory T (Treg) cells, a population that contributes to control AR. Therefore, upregulating Treg expression can regulate plasma cells leading to inhibit sneezing in AR. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that have the immunoregulatory and antiinflammation ability by secreting various cytokines including IL-10 and TGF-β which potent as a promising therapeutic modality for allergic airway diseases, including AR. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of MSCs in generating CD4+, CD25+, and Foxp3+ Regulatory T cells associated with suppressing plasma cell in AR model. METHODS: In this study, fifteen male Wistar rats (6 to 8 weeks old) were randomly divided into three groups (control group, sham group, and MSCs treatment group). OVA nasal challenge was conducted daily from day 15 to 21, and MSCs (1x10(6)) were administrated intraperitoneally to OVA-sensitized rats on day 21. Sneezing was observed from day 22 to 28. The rats were sacrificed on day 22 and day 28. The expression of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ in Treg and plasma cells was analyzed by flow cytometry assay. RESULTS: This study showed that the percentage of plasma cell and sneezing times significantly decreased in MSCs treatment. This finding was aligned with the significant increase of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg level. CONCLUSION: MSCs administration suppress plasma cells population and sneezing times by up regulating Treg to control AR.