Stem cell transplantation in experimental models of autoimmune disease

A review of the experiments with animal models of autoimmune disease (AID) that have provided the rationale for the present clinical investigations on the use of autologous stem cells for treating patients with severe refractory AID. The various types of AID in laboratory animals and the recognition of the key-role of hematopoitic stem cells (HSC) in AID are discussed. Two animal models were employed for translational research on autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT): adjuvant arthritis (AA) as model for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) as model for multiple sclerosis (MS). The principal aspects of the treatment, i.e., conditioning agents and doses and T cell depletion of the autograft, were investigated in relation to remission induction and the incidence of relapses.