CELL THERAPY AIMED AT RESTORING JOINTS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, which is the most common rheumatic autoimmune disease, affect autologous connective tissues caused by the impairment of self-tolerance mechanisms of the immune system. Over the past two decades, cell therapy has been increasingly considered as a therapeutic option for various diseases. This is partly due to the unique properties of stem cells, which divide and differentiate from specialized cells in damaged tissue. Moreover, stem cells impart immunomodulatory properties that affect diseases caused by immunological abnormalities, such as rheumatic autoimmune diseases. This review will evaluate the efficacy of cell therapy with four major types of stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and human amniotic membrane cells.