Mesenchymal stem cells are functionally abnormal in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a bleeding disorder characterized by an accelerated destruction of platelets as a result of the presence of autoreactive antibodies. Patients with ITP also display activated platelet-autoreactive T cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) inhibit both T- and B-cell activation and may have functional impairments in autoimmune disorders.

We analyzed the potential role of MSC in the pathogenesis of ITP.

MSC from ITP showed an impaired proliferative capacity and a lower capability of inhibiting activated T-cell proliferation compared with healthy donors. While MSC from controls showed a decreased expression of p27 after stimulation with platelet-derived growth factor, this effect was not observed in MSC from patients. Furthermore, MSC from healthy donors down-regulated p16 upon exposure to platelet-released supernatant, while this effect was not observed for ITP. Interestingly, caspase 9 expression was higher in MSC from ITP.

These abnormalities suggest a role of MSC malfunction in the physiopathology of the disease and may have therapeutic implications.