Effect of HO-1 modified BMMSCs on immune function of liver transplantation

Abstract We examined whether HO-1could enhance the immunosuppressive effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell（BMMSCs）on the rejection of transplanted liver allograft in rats. The rejection model of orthotopic liver transplantation in rats was established then BMMSCs orHO-1/BMMSCs were transfused via the portal vein.The histopathological changes of the transplanted liver and the change of regulatory T cell（Tregs natural killer cell（NK）and cytokines after transplantation were observed in different groups. The severe acute rejection model rats after liver transplantation on post operation day 10 showed in NS group. BMMSCs group showed strong protective effects on rejection within the first 10 days after transplantation. While HO-1/BMMSCs showed stronger effects than BMMSCs which provided enhanced protective effects on the transplanted liver. In addition，the activity of natural killer（NK）cell decreased significantly the levels of regulatory T cells（Tregs，interleukin-10（IL-10）and transforming growth factor-β（TGF-β）increased significantly and the levels of interleukin-2（IL-2，interleukin-6（IL-6，interleukin-17（IL-17，interleukin-23（IL-23，tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）and interferon-γ（IFN-γ）decreased significantly in the HO-1/BMMSCs group when compared with the BMMSCs group. Conclusions:HO-1/BMMSCs showed better immunosuppressive effects after transplantation. HO-1 could enhance the effects of BMMSCs inhibiting the immune response of acute rejection in orthotopic liver transplantation model of rats.