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.