Immunosuppression effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on renal interstitial injury in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction

We investigated the effects of intravenously administered bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on renal interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. In unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rats, the CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cell (Treg) cell, macrophage population and some inflammation related cytokines were tested. In the BMSCs -treated rats, renal exhibited lower renal Masson scores, decreased macrophage infiltration and interferon gamma (IFNγ) expression, and increased forkhead transcription factor (Foxp3) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression. No significant differences in the CD4+CD25+ Treg population and renal transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) expression were observed between BMSCs-treated group and control group (p > 0.05). In conclusion, BMSCs infusion leads to an anti-inflammation response in the early stage of UUO which may related to paracine mechanism.