Determination and comparison of the therapeutic effectiveness of septal cartilage stem cells and adipose stem cells in house mite- allergic rat model

Allergic rhinitis (AR) can be simply defined as the presence of at least one of the following "symptoms after exposure to an airborne allergen: rhinorrhea, sneezing, itching and nasal congestion. AR is defined as a chronic inflammatory disease mediated by the antibodies of IgE-type. The most important step in AR management is to avoid allergens. Pharmacotherapy options are used for symptomatic treatment. Subcutaneous or sublingual allergy immunotherapy can be applied in moderate or severe AR, especially when unresponsive to standard treatments. Alternative treatment methods such as, acupuncture, homeopathy, intranasal air filter, cellulose and CO2 are being explored in various trials, but none of these methods have received widespread acceptance or approval. The implementation of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which had been reported to have immunomodulatory characteristics seem to be promising for AR treatment. This study was aimed to determine and compare the effects of systemic administrations of in vitro produced septal cartilage stem cells (SCs) and adipose SCs on rats with allergic rhinitis (AR). House dust mite allergens were isolated and administered to 3-4-month-old albino rats. Adipose and cartilage SCs that were produced in vitro were isolated and injected intravenously to rats. Several allergic inflammation parameters and histopathological analysis of nasal mucosal thickness of inferior turbinates were analyzed. Cartilage SC recipients had more reduction in mucosal thickness in the inferior turbinates compared to recipients of adipose SC. The cartilage SC group had greater reduction in serum IgE, TNF-α and IL-6 levels compared to the adipose SC group, however IL-13 level remained unaffected. Mesenchymal SC therapy, especially cartilage-derived SC therapy, was effective in decreasing allergic inflammation in an experimental model of AR in rats. The date in the present study showed that mesenchymal SC therapy has the potential to be an alternative option in the treatment of AR.