Hematopoietic recovery of acute radiation syndrome by human superoxide dismutase–expressing umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells

Background aimsAcute radiation syndrome (ARS) leads to pancytopenia and multi-organ failure. Transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells provides a curative option for radiation-induced aplasia, but this therapy is limited by donor availability.MethodsWe examined an alternative therapeutic approach to ARS with the use of human extracellular superoxide dismutase (ECSOD)-modified umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (UCMSCs). This treatment combines the unique regenerative role of UCMSCs with the anti-oxidative activity of ECSOD.ResultsWe demonstrated that systemically administered ECSOD-UCMSCs are able to protect mice from sub-lethal doses of radiation and improve survival by promoting multilineage hematopoietic recovery. The therapeutic effect of this treatment is related to the decrease in radiation-induced O2– and apoptosis.ConclusionsOur data highlight the clinical potential of this two-pronged approach to the treatment of ARS, thereby serving as a rapid and effective first-line strategy to combat the hematopoietic failure resulting from a radiation accident, nuclear terrorism and other radiologic emergencies.