Effect of Wharton’S Jelly Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on the Expression of Nlrp3 Receptor and Neuroinflammation in Experimental Spinal Cord Injury Publisher



Mohamadi Y¹ ; Mousavi M¹ ; Moogahi SMHN¹ ; Abolhassani F¹ ; Ijaz S¹ ; Hassanzadeh G¹ Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research Published:2018

Abstract

Introduction: The NOD-Like Receptor (NLR) family, pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a major role in inflammation process. Structurally, the inflammasome consists of a receptor (NLRP3), an adaptor protein, and precursor of the enzyme caspase-1. Inflammasome activation in central nervous system injuries can activate caspase-1. This enzyme mediates the maturation and secretion of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18, initiating inflammatory responses. Mesenchymal stem cells have shown immune modulation features and have been extensively used for treating inflammatory diseases. Aim: To investigate the effect of intracisternal transplantation of Wharton’s Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal stem Cells (WJMSCs) on the NLRP3 inflammasome in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) rat model. Materials and Methods: Male wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=7) as following: laminectomy group, spinal cord injury group, vehicle group (the rats received phosphate-buffered saline), and WJMSCs treated group. Gene expression and protein production of NLRP3 receptor was evaluated by real time-PCR and western blotting. Serum concentration of IL-1β and IL-18 was measured by ELISA. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey’s test. Results: The results showed that both gene and protein expressions of NLRP3 receptor were significantly increased in the SCI rats in comparison to the uninjured rats (p<0.05). In addition, the serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 had upward trends in the SCI group compared to the laminectomy (p<0.05). On the other hand, WJMSCs significantly reversed the rises in both NLRP3 expression and interleukins amounts in comparison to the SCI group (p<0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that MSCs may modulate the inflammation process via inflammasome suppression. © 2018, Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. All rights reserved.