Prophylactic systemic P2X7 receptor blockade prevents experimental colitis.

Background: The P2X7 receptor (P2X7-R) is a non-selective adenosine triphosphate-gated cation channel present in epithelial and immune cells, and involved in inflammatory response. Extracellular nucleotides released in conditions of cell stress or inflammation may function as a danger signal alerting the immune system from inflammation. We investigated the therapeutic action of P2X7-R blockade in a model of inflammatory bowel disease.

Intraperitoneal but not intravenous cryopreserved mesenchymal stromal cells home to the inflamed colon and ameliorate experimental colitis.

Background And Aims: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were shown to have immunomodulatory activity and have been applied for treating immune-mediated disorders. We compared the homing and therapeutic action of cryopreserved subcutaneous adipose tissue (AT-MSCs) and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) in rats with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis.

Methods: After colonoscopic detection of inflammation AT-MSCs or BM-MSCs were injected intraperitoneally.