The in vitro effect of syndecan-3 gene knockout on bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells’ properties (Preclinical studies)
Andrei Stefan, Alasdair Kay, Nick Forsyth, Fiona Jones*, Dada Pisconti*, Oksana Kehoe
*University of Liverpool
Funded by Orthopaedic Institute, Keele University School of Medicine and Oswestry Rheumatology Association
We are examining the effect of a single injection of syndecan-3 knockout and wild type bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in our model of rheumatoid arthritis. We are currently analysing the histology of the joints from the AIA arthritis model. Semi-quantitative assessments of the treated and untreated groups are currently being acquired to determine the influence of MSCs in ameliorating the development of RA. Both cell types reduced joint swelling in our model (Figure 3). Currently, we are assessing whether deletion of syndecan-3 has effect on histopathological symptoms of RA such as hyperplasia of synovium lining, infiltration of inflammatory cells and cartilage depletion. The results will demonstrate whether deletion of syndecan-3 may represent an alternative therapeutic approach in inflammatory disease.
Figure 3. The effect of intra-articular injections of MSCs in AIA model. Change in knee diameter (swelling) of AIA animals following MSCs treatment (or control) shows significantly greater alleviation of swelling at days 2 and 3 post arthritis induction.