Pharmacodynamic evaluation and mechanism study of cord blood nucleated cell extract in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of cord blood nucleated cell extract (CBNCE) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and explore the mechanism preliminarily.

METHODS

CBNCE injection was prepared by adding HClO4 and KOH to cord blood. The efficacy of CBNCE was assessed through a lymphocyte proliferation assay. Subsequently, the CIA model was utilized as the RA model, with rats being randomly assigned to a normal group, model group, CBNCE group (1 mL/d), and HSS group (hydrocortisone sodium succinate, 0.2 mL/d). Following a 7-day period of immune system enhancement, continuous medication was administered for the subsequent 21 days. Foot swelling tests, HE staining, flow cytometry, ELISA, WB, and immunofluorescence were conducted.

RESULTS

The average inhibitory rate of CBNCE on lymphocyte proliferation was 83.51%. Compared with the model group, rats in the CBNCE group showed a decrease of inflammatory cell infiltration in ankle tissue. The left hindfoot volume (days 5, 9, 10, and 12-21), Th17 percentage and Th17/Treg ratio in peripheral blood, and the levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-17 in ankle effusion, as well as the MMP-3 protein expression in synovial tissue were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). There were significant (P < 0.05) increases in the fluorescence intensity of Aggrecan and Collagen type I, as well as in the amounts of IL-4 and IL-10.

CONCLUSION

CBNCE modulates the Th17/Treg balance by decreasing the Th17 cells, suppressing the secretion of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-17, enhancing the secretion of IL-4 and IL-10, and further inhibiting the expression of MMP-3 protein, thereby increasing the level of Aggrecan and Collagen type I. Ultimately, CBNCE alleviates RA. Key Points • Our study was the first to explore the effect and mechanism of cord blood nucleated cell extract in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. • This study offers a theoretical foundation and introduces a novel concept for utilizing cord blood in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.