Bone marrow-derived C-kit⁺ cells improved inflammatory IL-33/ST-2/ILC2 axis in the lung tissue of type 2 diabetic rats

Abstract

Inflammation is an essential factor in pulmonary complications of diabetes. Bone marrow (BM)-derived C-kit⁺ cells have immunomodulatory properties and their transplantation is suggested as a promising strategy for ameliorating diabetes complications. This study evaluated the effect of BM-derived C-kit⁺ cells on the inflammation signaling pathway in lung tissue of type 2 diabetic male rats. Ten rats were used to extract C-kit cells, and 48 male Wistar rats weighing 180±20 gr were randomly divided into four equal groups: 1) Control (Cont), 2) Diabetic (D), 3) Diabetic+C-kit⁺ cells (D+C-kit pos) intravenously injected 50 μl- Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS) containing 300,000 C-kit⁺ cells, and 4) Diabetic+C-kit- cells (D+C-kit neg); intravenously injected C-kit- cells. Diabetes induction increased IL-33, ST-2, CD127, and IL-2 levels and decreased IL-10. C-kit+ cell therapy significantly decreased IL-33 and CD127 and increased IL-10. In addition, lung histopathological changes significantly improved in the C-kit⁺ group compared to the diabetic group. These findings suggest that C-Kit+ cells may have a potential therapeutic role in mitigating diabetes-induced respiratory complications via ameliorating the inflammation and histopathological changes in lung tissue.