[Effects of MSCs on the progression of atherosclerosis plaque in ApoE-knock out mice].

AIM:To explore the effects of mesenchymal stem cells in the formation of atherosclerosis plaque in hypercholesterolemic apoliprotein (apo) E -/ - mice. METH-ODS: ApoE -- mice mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)were isolated and identified. Thirty ApoE -/ - mice were divided into negative control group (Neg, n = 10), positive control group (Pos, n = 10) and MSCs group ( n = 10).MSCs were injected through caudal vein into the body ofPos and MSCs groups. The plaque area of all subjects were compared, the percentage of CD4 CD25' regulatory T cells in different tissues were analyzed by FACS, proliferation response of splenocytes to mesenchymal stem cells and cyto-kines in the supernatant were determined by ELISA. RE-SULTS: Compared with controls, MSCs resulted in a significant decrease of the atherosclerotic plaques size (P <0.05), and a significant increase of CD4 CD25 regulatory T cells in spleen (P<0.05). Specific proliferation response of CD4' CD25' regulatory T cells in splenocytes to MSCswas significantly suppressed. The supernatant levels ofTGF-f3 and IL-10 in MSCs group were increased while IFN-y decreased significantly. CONCLUSION:MSCs play an important role in regulating the inflammatory response and may significantly inhibit the formation of the atherosclerosis plaque in ApoE-'- mice.