Autoimmun Rev. 2014 Oct 9. pii: S1568-9972(14)00213-4. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2014.10.001. [Epub ahead of print]

Cell-based therapies for systemic lupus erythematosus.

Liao J¹, Chang C², Lu Q³.

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a female predominant autoimmune disease characterized by multi-organ disorders. The pathogenesis of SLE is complex. Corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs are widely used to treat patients with SLE. However, these indiscriminate suppressors of the immune-mediated inflammatory aberration treat SLE at the cost of considerable adverse effects. Undoubtedly, there is a need for safer and more effective treatments for SLE. Cell-based therapies, although very much in their infancy, are of increasing interest in the treatment of SLE due to their potential for long term suppression or a possible cure of the disease. Several immunoregulatory cell types, including regulatory T cells, mesenchymalstem cells, B cells, natural killer cells, have recently been developed as novel products for tolerance-promoting therapies. Here, we provide a brief overview of current research of new cell-based therapeutic approaches that have undergone pre-clinical or clinical trials in the treatment of SLE.