Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Approximately 15-20% of the world’s population suffers from atopic dermatitis, dogs are also affected. Atopic dermatitis is not contagious, this disease is caused by genetic factors. The course of the disease is quite difficult and can significantly worsen the quality of life of patients. In the treatment of atopic dermatitis, glucocorticoids, antihistamines, specific immunotherapy, and Janus kinase inhibitors are used with varying effectiveness.
In recent years, scientists have paid attention to the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, as they have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect. The effectiveness of the use of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of other immune-mediated diseases, including bronchial asthma and systemic lupus erythematosus, was also shown.
The effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of atopic dermatitis was first widely studied in mice and rats. It has been proven that high doses of mesenchymal stem cells (2 x 106/kg) significantly reduced the manifestations of atopic dermatitis in mice in contrast to low doses (2 x 105/kg). The therapeutic effect is explained by biologically active substances secreted by mesenchymal stem cells, and even the conditioning medium in which these cells were cultivated has a therapeutic effect. Studies on mice have also shown that the use of a mesenchymal stem cells conditioning medium in atopic dermatitis reduces the level of immunoglobulin E, which is the main marker of allergic diseases, pro-inflammatory cytokines and significantly reduces inflammatory changes in the skin. The therapeutic effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of atopic dermatitis has been confirmed in studies on dogs.
To date, there are at least 5 clinical trials in which mesenchymal stem cells from the umbilical cord, bone marrow, and adipose tissue have been used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in humans. A clinical study in which mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the umbilical cord were applied locally to the affected area in patients with atopic dermatitis, showed a decrease in Ig E and a decrease in the number of neutrophil granulocytes in the blood as markers of inflammation. A decrease in the level of Ig E in the blood was also noted in patients who received mesenchymal stem cells from the bone marrow.
It was established that even a single injection of mesenchymal stem cells in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (34 patients) reduced the manifestations of inflammatory skin lesions, the therapeutic effect was dose-dependent.
Another study noted the effectiveness of intravenous administration of mesenchymal stem cells from allogeneic (donor) bone marrow in patients with atopic dermatitis. Infusions were carried out three times with a two-week interval. Cell therapy made it possible to achieve long-term clinical improvement, no side effects were recorded.
Based on: Najera J, Hao J. Recent advance in mesenchymal stem cells therapy for atopic dermatitis. J Cell Biochem. 2023 Feb;124(2):181-187 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36576973/).
