Preclinical investigations that subserve efforts to employ bone marrow transplantation for rheumatoid or autoimmune diseases.

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) results in the replacement of host immunohematopoiesis with that of the donor. This procedure may be appropriate for patients with severe combined immunodeficiency disease, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, and after lethal myeloablation for treatment of leukemia. Preclinical studies in experimental mice with autoimmune disorders indicate that BMT may successfully prevent the development or induce remission of disease. In some experimental models both marrow and stroma must be transplanted for a successful outcome. Allogeneic, rather than syngeneic, transplants are required for successful outcome in these genetically based spontaneous models of autoimmune disease. However, remissions of relapsing forms of demyelinating autoimmune (acquired) central nervous system diseases can be achieved with both syngeneic and allogeneic marrow transplantation. These preclinical studies form part of the rationale for considering BMT as treatment for severe autoimmune diseases.