Autologous stem cell transplantation improves microcirculation in systemic sclerosis

In systemic sclerosis (SSc) reduced capillary density decreases blood flow and leads to tissue ischaemia and fingertip ulcers. Nail fold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is a diagnostic and follow-up parameter useful to evaluate the severity, activity and the stage of SSc microvascular damage. Autologous haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a new treatment for patients with severe diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) refractory to conventional therapies. We aimed to evaluate the improvement of microvasculature after HSCT using NVC.

A total of 16 patients with severe dcSSc with a "late" videocapillaroscopy pattern underwent an immunesuppressive treatment: 6 were treated with HSCT and 10 with monthly pulse cyclophosphamide (CYC) 1 g for 6 months and then orally with 50 mg/day for further 6 months. NVC was performed before and after 3 months from the beginning of each treatment and then repeated every 3 months.

In all patients, before HSCT NVC showed large avascular areas and ramified capillaries and vascular architectural disorganisation ("late" pattern). At 3 months after HSCT, the NVC pattern changed from "late" into "active", showing frequent giant capillaries (>6/mm) and haemorrhages, absence of avascular areas and angiogenesis phenomena; 1 year after HSCT, microvascular abnormalities were still in the "active" pattern. In patients treated with CYC, no NVC modifications were observed during 24 months of follow-up and the pattern always remained "late".

These results indicate that HSCT with a high dose CYC regimen may foster vascular remodelling, while CYC at lower doses and with a chronic regimen does not influence the microvasculature.