The inflammation mediated by mesenchymal stem cells enhances blood group antigen-antibody responses via IL-1β

While it is known that the inflammatory state of the recipient may regulate the production of blood group antibodies, the cellular and molecular mechanisms are unclear. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can produce inflammatory factors in response to inflammation and regulate inflammatory immunity. To explore how inflammatory MSCs exert influence on blood group antigen-antibody responses, the inflammatory MSC culture solution was added to the blood group antigen-antibody response system. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of different concentrations of inflammatory MSC supernatant on the production of blood group antibodies. Western blotting was used to determine whether the IL-1β receptor was expressed on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs). The intensity of antigen-antibody response was detected by serological methods. The results demonstrated that IL-1β produced by inflammation-induced MSCs could directly bind to the surface of erythrocytes and interfere with blood group antigen-antibody responses. This study suggests that inflammatory MSC-derived IL-1β might enhance the strength of blood antigen-antibody responses.