The immune-modulatory role of MSCs exerted by PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in kidney tissue after cyclophosphamide

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is one of the most effective immunosuppressive agents. To understand the mechanisms used by the CP and MSCs in the kidney, we investigated their effects on some pathways.

4 groups of female rats were used. GI: was the normal control group treated with saline solution. Groups G II, G III, and G IV were treated with CP. G I and G II groups were sacrificed on the fourth day after treatment., G III (Auto healing group) was left without treatment after the CP injection for six days. The G IV group was treated with MSCs on the fourth day after the CP injection. G III and G IV groups were sacrificed six days after treatment, and the kidney was removed and processed.

CP induced up-regulation in CD14 and CD21 positive cells and caspase. Significant down-regulation of previous markers in groups III and IV. CP exerted a downregulation effect on AKT/ PI3K, that were ameliorated in groups III and IV. A significant increase in P53, BCL2, as well as VEGF in Group IV (P < 0 05).

MSCs play a vital function in the immune inhibition in CP-treated rats through PI3K/AKT pathway.