Literature Review: Do Mesenchymal Stem Cells Suppress Systemic Cytokines in Lupus and COPD?
A peer-reviewed review of studies examining mesenchymal stem cells, systemic cytokines, lupus, and COPD.
Lupus
Understanding Lupus
For those seeking to potentially manage symptoms of this condition, Regenerative Medicine for Lupus is a natural alternative option.
Content Review: Michael Healey, M.Ed., C.A.S. Last Updated: September 2026
What Is Lupus?
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system can attack healthy tissues. The most common form is systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE. Lupus may affect the skin, joints, blood, kidneys, nervous system, heart, lungs, and other organs. Symptoms and severity vary widely. Some people have mild skin or joint symptoms, while others develop inflammation that affects major organs. Care should be tailored to the form of lupus, the organs involved, and the severity of disease activity.
Common Symptoms
- Fatigue or feeling generally unwell
- Joint or muscle pain and stiffness
- A butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose
- Sensitivity to sunlight
- Fever, hair loss, or mouth sores
- Swelling in the legs or changes in urine when the kidneys are affected
- Periods of flares followed by periods of improvement
Current Medical Treatments
There is no single cure for lupus, but established treatments can help control inflammation, reduce flares, protect affected organs, and improve quality of life. Treatment should be guided by a rheumatology clinician and may involve other specialists when the kidneys, nervous system, heart, lungs, or other organs are affected.
Standard Treatment Categories
- Hydroxychloroquine: This medication is commonly used to help control lupus activity and reduce flares.
- Corticosteroids: These medicines may be used to manage inflammation, especially during more active disease.
- Immunosuppressive medications: Treatments such as mycophenolate, azathioprine, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, or calcineurin inhibitors may be used based on the organs involved.
- Biologic therapy: Certain biologic medications may be considered for people with persistent active disease.
- Organ-specific care: Lupus nephritis, or kidney involvement, requires close monitoring and treatment tailored to kidney function and disease severity.
- Lifestyle and supportive care: Sun protection, regular follow-up, appropriate activity, sleep, and vaccination planning can be important parts of long-term care.
Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research for Lupus
Stem cell therapy for lupus and stem cell therapy for autoimmune conditions are being studied because mesenchymal stromal cells, or MSCs, may influence inflammatory and immune-system signaling. Researchers are evaluating different cell sources, doses, treatment schedules, background medications, and patient populations.
What Researchers Are Studying
- Influence inflammatory and immune-system signaling
- Be delivered safely and feasibly alongside standard lupus care
- Be further evaluated for their effects on symptoms, laboratory markers, and disease activity
- Help identify which products and treatment protocols warrant additional research
Some studies also examine MSC-derived secretome, a cell-free product containing substances released by cells. Secretome research is distinct from stem cell treatment for lupus and should be interpreted separately.
Note: Stem cell therapies for lupus are not FDA-approved and are investigational. Early clinical studies have reported changes in disease activity, symptoms, and immune-system markers, and research continues across different cell products and treatment approaches.
How Stem Cell Therapy for SLE Is Being Studied
Research on stem cell therapy for SLE includes early clinical studies of MSC infusions and cell-free secretome products. Researchers are examining safety, changes in disease activity, immune-system markers, and outcomes related to organ involvement. Studies are evaluating different cell sources, doses, treatment schedules, background medications, and delivery methods. This work is helping identify the treatment approaches and patient groups that warrant continued clinical study.
Recent Clinical Studies of Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy for Lupus
2025: MSC-Derived Secretome Reported Short-Term Disease-Activity and Immune-Marker Changes
Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Secretome as a Potential Treatment for SLE: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial — Read Study
This double-blind trial enrolled 29 women with moderate lupus disease activity. Participants received weekly intramuscular injections of umbilical-cord-MSC-derived secretome or placebo for six weeks. The researchers reported differences in disease activity and selected immune markers between groups during short-term follow-up, with no severe adverse events reported. This study adds to clinical research on cell-free, MSC-derived secretome products for people with SLE.
2025: Allogeneic UC-MSCs Were Generally Well Tolerated in Severe Lupus
Allogeneic Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells as Treatment for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Single-Centre, Open-Label, Dose-Escalation, Phase I Study — Read Study
This phase I study enrolled eight people with severe, treatment-resistant lupus who received escalating doses of allogeneic umbilical-cord-derived MSCs. The investigators reported that the infusions were generally tolerated and tracked changes in disease activity during follow-up. These findings provide early clinical information on dose-escalation UC-MSC treatment for people with severe SLE.
2022: UC-MSC Infusion Reported Clinical and Immune-System Changes in Treatment-Refractory Lupus
Safety, Immunological Effects and Clinical Response in a Phase I Trial of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Patients With Treatment-Refractory SLE — Read Study
This phase I trial included six women with active, treatment-refractory lupus who received a single umbilical-cord-derived MSC infusion. At 24 weeks, some participants met the study’s lupus responder endpoint. The researchers also reported changes in selected immune-cell measures and no serious treatment-related adverse events. These results add to continued clinical research on UC-MSC infusion for people with active SLE.
2017: UC-MSCs Were Studied Alongside Standard Treatment for Lupus Nephritis
A Randomised Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Allogeneic Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell for Lupus Nephritis — Read Study
This placebo-controlled trial enrolled 18 people with class III or IV lupus nephritis. All participants received intensive standard immunosuppressive treatment and were randomly assigned to receive umbilical-cord-derived MSCs or placebo. At the study assessment, renal remission occurred in 75% of the MSC group and 83% of the placebo group. Disease activity, kidney function, and other outcomes were also tracked in both groups. This trial contributes important comparative research on UC-MSC treatment alongside standard therapy for lupus nephritis.
Could This Be the Right Option for You?
For people with lupus who want to understand emerging research, stem cell therapy for lupus and other regenerative medicine approaches may be topics to discuss with a healthcare provider. A consultation can help review your diagnosis, organ involvement, medications, treatment history, and goals. It can also clarify whether an investigational approach is something to discuss further with your treating rheumatologist.
At Stemedix, we take a patient-centered approach to regenerative medicine, informed by emerging clinical research. Our team reviews your medical history, current treatment plan, and goals to help determine whether an investigational regenerative approach may be appropriate to explore.
Medical Disclaimer
This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Stem cell, secretome, and regenerative medicine therapies for lupus are not FDA-approved for this use. Research findings do not guarantee individual results.
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.
References
- Nurudhin A. et al. Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Secretome as a Potential Treatment for SLE: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Narra J., 2025. PubMed
- Farge D. et al. Allogeneic Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells as Treatment for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Single-Centre, Open-Label, Dose-Escalation, Phase I Study. The Lancet Rheumatology., 2025. PubMed
- Kamen DL. et al. Safety, Immunological Effects and Clinical Response in a Phase I Trial of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Patients With Treatment-Refractory SLE. Lupus Science & Medicine., 2022. PubMed
- Deng D. et al. A Randomised Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Allogeneic Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell for Lupus Nephritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases., 2017. PubMed
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Important Patient and Consumer Information About Regenerative Medicine Therapies. FDA
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Stemedix speaks with Patricia about her experience with Stemedix stem cell treatment for Lupus.
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