Potential of bone regenerative therapy with mesenchymal stem cells in rheumatoid arthritis

Mesenchymal stem cell(MSC)exists throughout the body. The discovery of the immunosuppressive effect with low immunogenicity has led MSC as a new tool for cell therapy in various diseases. Within the arthritis animal model, periarticular implantation of bone marrow derived MSC with a scaffold has demonstrated treatment effect with low cell number whereas systemic administration had limited effect. Bone marrow derived MSC suppressed in vitro osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis of MSC was enhanced in the presence of IL-1β.On the other hand, experiments with adipose-derived MSC suggested the involvement in abnormal tissue calcification in the presence of IL-6. Therefore, MSC generated from the appropriate tissue and clarification of the major cytokines involved in pathogenesis is necessary when considering regenerative therapy for destructed joint in RA patients.