Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains a choice in children and youth with severe aplastic anemia, but the source of donor is limited, with high cost. Moreover, chronic graft versus host disease in 5%-15% patients affected their curative effects and quality of life. Therefore, we should explore the pathway of treatment to elevate curative effects and relieve adverse reactions. Mesenchymal stem cells can be easily isolated and with stable proliferative ability, can satisfy clinical requirements.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the progress and immune characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells and its application in the study of aplastic anemia.
METHODS: A computer-based online search was conducted by the first author in PubMed Database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed) in June 2010 and CNKI Database (http://www.cnki.net) from 1995 to 2010 for articles concerning the progress and immune characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells and its application in the study of aplastic anemia. The key words were “mesenchymal stem cells, aplastic anemia, anemia”.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We collected 119 literatures on mesenchymal stem cells and aplastic anemia, which included 85 Chinese articles and 34 English articles. Articles published earlier, repeated, and similar studies were excluded, and finally 30 literatures were included. At present, aplastic anemia is an acquired failure in blood-producing function of bone marrow. The occurrence and development of aplastic anemia closely related to the injuries of hematopoietic tissue caused by the functional accentuation of T cells. Mesenchymal stem cells have the capability of immune negative accommodation and supporting hematopoiesis, with the properties of transplantation and wide source. Mesenchymal stem cells of patients with aplastic anemia are different from that of normal person in aspects of biology. Mesenchymal stem cells can provide new ideas and methods for the study of pathogenesy and treatment of aplastic anaemia.