Simvastatin and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) affects serum IgE and lung cytokines levels in sensitized mice

Introduction: The effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and simvastatin combination therapy on serum total and specific IgE levels and lung IL-13 and TGF-beta levels in sensitized mouse were examined. Material and methods: Control (n = 5), Sensitized (S), (n = 5), S + BMSC (n = 6), S + simvastatin (n = 6) and S + BMSC + simvastatin (n = 4) groups of BALB/c mice were studied. Mice were sensitized by ovalbumin. Sensitized mice were treated with a single intravenous injection of BMSCs (1 x 10(6)) or daily intraperitoneal injection of simvastatin (40 mg/kg) or both BMSCs and simvastatin on the last week of challenge. Serum total and ovalbumin specific IgE levels as well as IL-13 and TGF-beta levels in broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were evaluated. Results: Serum total and specific IgE levels as well as lung IL-13 and TGF-beta levels were significantly increased in S group compared to control group (P < 0.001 for all cases). Treatment with BMSCs, simvastatin and their combination significantly decreased serum total and specific IgE levels (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01). However, IL-13 and TGF-beta levels were significantly decreased by BMSCs and BMSC + simvastatin combination therapy (P < 0.05 for all cases). The effect of simvastatin and BMSCs combination therapy on serum specific IgE levels as well as lung IL-13 and TGF-13 levels were significantly higher than the effect of BMSCs and simvastatin alone (P < 0.001 for IL-13 and P < 0.01 for other cases). Conclusions: Simvastatin and BMSCs combination therapy affects serum IgE as well as lung IL-13 and TGF beta levels more than BMSC therapy and simvastatin therapy alone which may be due to increased BMSCs migration into the lung tissue.