Use of Mesenchymal Cells to Modulate Immune Suppression and Immune Reconstruction in a Patient with Aplastic Anemia Complicated by Invasive Sino-Orbital Aspergillosis

Cultured human bone marrow mesenchymal cells (MSCs) have immunomodulatory and tissue regenerative properties. This report summarizes the result of post-transplant treatment with MSCs of a 26-year-old patient with aplastic anemia complicated by invasive sino-orbital aspergillosis. The patient was treated with MSCs to benefit from the dual effects of MSCs in immune reconstitution: suppression against alloreactive T cells and facilitation of the re-engraftment process. The patient did not develop acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease. The aspergillus infection healed completely. The engraftment failure was also ended without any complications. During his last visit in his fourth year after transplantation, the patient was in hematological remission. Human bone marrow-derived MSCs seem to have an important role in preventing or overcoming immunological complications in patients who undergo stem cell transplantation.