TNF-α inhibitor reverse the effects of human umbilical cord-derived stem cells on experimental arthritis by increasing immunosuppression

To demonstrate the therapeutic potential for cartilage repair of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human umbilical cord (HUCSC), we studied the clinical and histopathological effects of intra-articular injection of HUCSCs in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. In our study, intra-articular injection of HUCSCs had no benefit in CIA mice; and accelerated the progression of arthritis in the presence of TNF-α. To determine the role of TNF-α, we injected the combination with HUCSCs and TNF inhibitor, showed reduced the disease signs in CIA mice. On exposure of TNF-α, stem cells significantly decreased the expression of CD90, HLA-G, and the levels of IL-10 in vitro and in vivo. Our data showed that TNF-α blocks the immunosuppressive effects of HUCSCs and that inhibition of TNF-α decreases cartilage destruction by suppressing the immunogenicity of HUCSCs. Injecting both a TNF inhibitor and HUCSCs may be a potential effective therapy for ameliorating the disease.