Читать книгу The SAGE Encyclopedia of Stem Cell Research - Группа авторов - Страница 317

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare, multisystem, progressive inflammatory condition involving the cartilaginous structures. Predominantly, it affects the cartilage of ears, nose, and laryngotracheobronchial tree. The pathophysiology of polychondritis relates to autoimmunity. Although the specific etiology is unknown, there has been documented presence of circulating antibodies to cartilage-specific collagen types II, IX, and XI with patients with relapsing polychondritis and are present during different stages of the condition. Furthermore, the association of polychondritis with HLA-DR4 also suggests an autoimmune pathogenesis. High prevalence of several other autoimmune disorders has been linked to relapsing polychondritis. Many patients with this condition concurrently have other disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Finally, relapsing polychondritis has been linked to internal paraneoplastic malignancies.

Apart from traditional treatment consisting of anti-inflammatory and immune suppressive steroids, current research is aiming to evaluate the effects of stems cells on specific autoimmune conditions. The Colorado Stem Cell Treatment Center has developed a specific SVF protocol for polychondritis that attempts to utilize the regenerative properties of SVF (which is rich in mesenchymal stem cells).