When the immune system attacks the healthy cells by interpreting them as foreign cells it leads to autoimmune disorders. The most common types of autoimmune diseases are Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or lupus, Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Current treatments mainly focus on suppressing the immune system, which can have long-term side effects. Therefore, by improving immune balance, stem cell therapy is emerging as a possible advancement in the science of autoimmune diseases.

Understanding Autoimmune Disorders

Immune system plays an important in preventing infection due to foreign invasion particularly from bacteria or viruses. However, the immune system is not able to distinguish the difference in between healthy cells and foreign cells. This results in chronic inflammation, tissue damage, and impaired organ function.

Common Types of Autoimmune Disorders

The common types of autoimmune diseases are as follows.

Type 1 Diabetes: It is an autoimmune disease that affects the pancreas’s ability to make insulin. Insulin is important to maintain blood sugar levels and alteration in insulin production leads to hyperglycemia.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: RA is a type of arthritis in which the immune system affects the synovium of the joints resulting in pain and swelling of the joints.
Lupus: It is also known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It causes inflammation all through the body affecting the different tissues, joints, and organs.
Multiple sclerosis (MS): Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that damages the myelin sheath. Myelin is a protective layer surrounding the nerves. Furthermore, it also affects the oligodendrocytes, the myelin-producing cells.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: Autoimmune disease which primarily affects the thyroid gland and results in hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels) or underactive thyroid gland.

The other autoimmune disorders are Myositis, Psoriasis, Ulcerative colitis, Addison’s disease, Graves disease, and Myasthenia gravis (MG).

The Gut Immune Connection in Autoimmune Disorders

The gut houses 70% of the body’s immune cells, making it a crucial player in immune function. Generally, the gut microbiome (trillions of beneficial bacteria) stops the unwanted immune responses and regulates the immune system responses. Leaky Gut Syndrome (intestinal permeability) has been linked to autoimmune diseases.

Damaged or altered gut lining paves the way for undigested food particles and toxins to easily enter into the blood circulation. This leads to autoimmune conditions due to responses such as chronic inflammation and immune hyper reaction. Additionally, the factors responsible for autoimmune conditions are unwanted stress, inappropriate diet, and antibiotics.

Diagnostic tests:

The diagnosis of autoimmune disease generally involves physical examination followed by laboratory tests to confirm the presence of the disease. The lab tests are:

Complete blood count (CBC): to determine leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia as it is common in autoimmune diseases like SLE.
Serum levels: the increase or decrease in serum levels determines the autoimmune conditions. Eg: Autoimmune hepatitis.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): it is the rate at which blood cells settle down. In autoimmune conditions, ESR tends to be higher.
Urinalysis: to detect the presence of infection, blood, or proteins in urine and to determine the extent of kidney disease.
Antinuclear antibodies (ANA): it is a test that detects the antibodies that bind to the patient’s own cells.
Rheumatoid factor (RF) test: it is the most common test to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. The presence of rheumatoid factor indicates that the patient has rheumatoid arthritis.
C-reactive protein (CRP): whenever there is inflammation in the body due to any infection or disease CRP levels are automatically raised. Hence, CRP is an important tool in detecting autoimmune diseases.

Apart from the physical examination and lab tests, clinicians carry out X-rays, MRI, Ultrasound, and CT scans for diagnosing autoimmune diseases.

Early Diagnosis is the key to success

To assess gut health and its role in autoimmune diseases, various diagnostic tests are available:

Comprehensive Stool Analysis – Evaluates gut bacteria composition, digestive function, and presence of harmful pathogens.
Gut Microbiome Sequencing (16S rRNA or Metagenomics Test) – Identifies the types and balance of bacteria in the gut.
Zonulin Test – Measures levels of zonulin, a protein linked to leaky gut syndrome.
Lactulose-Mannitol Test – Assesses intestinal permeability (leaky gut).
Calprotectin Test – Detects inflammation in the gut, useful for conditions like IBD.
Short-Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) Test – Evaluates gut bacteria metabolism and overall gut function.

How Stem Cell Therapy can turn the tide in Autoimmune diseases?

Autoimmune disorders require long-term treatment which poses a serious threat to the health of the patient. Therefore, we need a treatment option that slows or delays immune progression and provides long-term stability.

Stem cell therapy (SCT) in autoimmune disease is a viable option in patients who don’t respond to conventional therapy. It repairs tissues and prevents immune attacks. It works by 2 mechanisms – immune modulation and immune suppression.

Immune modulation: stem cells promote inhibition of proliferation of B cells, T cells, and dendritic cells by inducing the release of regulatory T cells.
Immune suppression: stem cells influence immunosuppression by releasing various molecules like nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-10 (IL-10), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).

Stem cell therapy in autoimmune diseases:

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are effective in treating autoimmune diseases.

MSC therapy in multiple sclerosis: the outcomes after MSC therapy are a reduction in demyelination and reduced infiltration of macrophages and T cells in CNS. The resultant effect is the improvement of multiple sclerosis.
MSC therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: a decrease in inflammatory cytokines and an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines are the main outcomes of SCT in rheumatoid arthritis along with the rise in clinical score.
MSC therapy in lupus: reduction in autoantibody glomerular IgG which leads to improvement in osteoblast function and decrease in proteinuria.
MSC therapy in Type 1 diabetes: Beta cells capable of producing insulin are derived from MSC to promote the production of insulin levels.

How soon can you expect your life to be back on track post-stem cell therapy? Do you need to be more realistic?

A more realistic approach is needed with regard to the expectations of life post-stem cell therapy. The recovery time post stem cell therapy depends on the condition and the type of transplant the patient underwent.

Though the stem cell procedure is complete within 2-3 hours, the patient can resume normal activities and work 2 days post the therapy.
The recovery and improvement post stem cell treatment varies depending on the patient and the condition.
For example, for orthopedic injuries, the initial response is seen within 2-6 weeks and gradual improvement occurs over next few months. Whereas in autoimmune diseases, the improvement in symptoms might take a little longer time.
Initially after the procedure, patients should avoid strenuous activities and should always consult the physician before engaging in physical activities.
Over a period of time the patient begins to experience improvement in symptoms like reduction in pain and inflammation, enhanced mobility and show gradual recovery.
It is important to note that the improvement and recovery might take few months to a year as every patient responds differently to the treatment.

Supportive Treatments along with stem cell therapy

While there is no specific cure for the autoimmune disease, we can manage the disorder by controlling the immune response and symptoms with supportive treatment options. The available supportive treatment options are:

Steroids: clinicians recommend steroids to reduce the hyperactivity of the immune system. It is also useful in delaying or slowing the immune response in autoimmune conditions.
Anti-inflammatory agents: these agents intend to reduce inflammation that occurs due to immune system activation. For example, in response to inflammation by TNF (tumor necrosis factor), clinicians recommend anti-TNF agents.
Supplements: clinicians also recommend supplements in autoimmune diseases to replace the lost nutrients. For example supplements for thyroid hormone or insulin or vitamin B12.
Lifestyle modifications: in autoimmune diseases, the doctor suggests physical activity like walking or general exercise to help the muscles and to stay fit. Other modifications like quitting smoking can also be reasonably helpful.
Diet modifications: The dietician can help modify the dietary changes in the patient depending on the condition. For example, if the patient is diagnosed with celiac disease, then a diet which is gluten free is recommended. On the other hand, autoimmune diabetes patients should take carbohydrate rich diet to maintain sugar levels.

Above all healthcare providers also do suggest treatments for symptoms like pain, skin rashes, feeling tired or lazy and swelling.

Conclusion:

In autoimmune diseases, the body fails to recognize the own cells mistaking them as foreign cells. Stem cells possess the ability to treat autoimmunity by immune modulation and immune suppression. This therapy suits best when the conventional treatment options no longer work.

Stem cell therapy is proving to be a game-changer in treating autoimmune diseases. It provides a longer-sustaining option for chronic autoimmune diseases thereby improving patient’s quality of life. Therefore, stem cell therapy has the potential to cure autoimmune disorders.

FAQ’s

What are the common types of autoimmune disorders?

The common types of autoimmune diseases are Type 1 Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, and Lupus. Additionally, the other autoimmune disorders are Myositis, Psoriasis, Ulcerative colitis, Addison’s disease, Graves disease, and Myasthenia gravis (MG).

What is the Gut immune connection in Autoimmune Disorders?

What diagnostic tests should clinicians conduct to confirm autoimmunity?

The diagnosis of autoimmune disease generally involves physical examination followed by laboratory tests like CBC, CRP, ESR, etc., and X-rays, MRI, Ultrasound, and CT scans to confirm the presence of the disease.

How does stem cell therapy work in autoimmune diseases?

Stem cell therapy (SCT) in autoimmune disease is a viable option in patients who don’t respond to conventional therapy. It repairs tissues and prevents immune attacks. It works by 2 mechanisms – immune modulation and immune suppression.

Can Stem Cell Therapy Manage Autoimmune Disorder?