RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Mesenchymal stem cells and recombinant erythropoietin treatment in an experimental sepsis model JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P837 VO 40 IS Suppl 56 A1 Alexander Averyanov A1 Anatoly Konoplyannikov A1 Fedor Zabozlaev A1 Dmitry Akulshin A1 Oleg Kuzovlev A1 Anastasia Sorokina YR 2012 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P837.abstract AB As recently found the surface of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have receptors for erythropoietin (EPO), we hypothesized that the introduction of EPO together with MSCs may enhance their effect and improve efficiency of sepsis treatment.Aim: To evaluate effects of combined treatment with EPO and MSC in an experimental LPS sepsis model.Methods: 50 Wistar rats were randomized into 5 groups: Group 1 - the healthy controls, Groups 2-5 were intraperitoneally introduced bacterial LPS 20 mg/kg. Two hours later LPS injection animals received the following intravenous treatments: Group 3: 4 x105 allogeneic MSCs, Group 4: 8.5 μg of recombinant EPO-beta, Group 5: MSCs and EPO in the same doses. Surviving animals were euthanased on the 4th day.Results: The highest white blood cells count was determined in group 5 (8.15 x 106 cells /ml) compared with controls (2,15 ×106 cells/ ml) and LPS controls (6,52 × 106 cells/ ml). Serum IL-1β level in groups 2 and 4 was significantly higher than in healthy and treated with MSCs and MSCc + EPO animals. Histologically in the group 5 we observed significantly less leukocyte lung interalveolar septal infiltration and kidney tubular necrosis. The most significant differences in the LPS + EPO group were found in the lymphoid tissue - considerable hyperplasia of spleen white pulp up to 64,9% and thymus cortex up to 69,7% in contrast to the atrophy of the corresponding zones in the other groups.Conclusions: Combined treatment with EPO and MSCs can reduce acute lung injury and kidney damage, cause hyperplasia of lymphoid tissue and enhance the immune response more than separate treatment in an experimental model of sepsis in rats.