Evaluation of AD-MSC (adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells) as a vehicle for IFN-β delivery in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Interferon-β (IFN-β) is commonly used as a disease modifying drug for the treatment of relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS). However, the underlying mechanism by which IFN-β mediate this immunosuppressive effect is still unknown. In this study, we analyzed the effects of genetically modified adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) expressing murine interferon beta (MSCs-VP/IFN-β) on the animal model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Lymph node mononuclear cells and serum were examined by using RT-PCR and ELISA methods to measure the production of IL-10 and IL-17 gene and protein expression, respectively. Our results indicated that in the MSCs-VP/IFN-β treated group induction of Tregs and IL-10 and reduction of IL-17 were significant. Taken together, we showed that using AD-MSCs expressing IFN-β as an anti-inflammatory agent, offer evidence supporting that the stem cell therapies in EAE conceivably will improve the valuable effects of IFN-β in this autoimmune disease.