Transplantation of human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells attenuates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice.

Ulcerative colitis is a major form of inflammatory bowel disease and increases the risk of the development of colorectal carcinoma. The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) make them promising tools for treating immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases. However, the lack of robust technique for harvesting and expanding of MSC has hampered the use of bone marrow and umbilical cord blood derived MSC in clinical applications. In the present study, we investigated the intestinal protective effects of Wharton's jelly-derived umbilical MSC (UMSC) on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice. The severity of colitis in mice was assessed using bodyweight loss, stool consistency, rectal bleeding, colon shortening and haematological parameters. Colonic myeloperoxidase and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels were also measured. Furthermore, the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in the colon were detected. In addition, intestinal permeability and tight junction proteins expressions in the colon were examined as well. The results showed that Wharton's jelly-derived UMSC significantly diminished the severity of colitis, reduced histolopathological score, and decreased myeloperoxidase activity and cytokines levels. Furthermore, the UMSC markedly decreased the expression of cyclooxygenase 2and inducible nitric oxide synthase in the colon. In addition, transplantation of UMSC reduced intestinal permeability and upregulated the expression of tight junction proteins. These results show that the anti-inflammation and regulation of tight junction proteins by Wharton's jelly-derived UMSC ameliorates colitis.