Objective: Compared with bone marrow-derived MSC, embryo-derived MSC have greater expansion and differentiation potentials. T helper cell 17(Th17) and interleukin 17(IL-17) is closely related to the occurrence and development of Lupus. The glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) which is closely related to the kidney development is found to be a kidney protection factor and can increase the renal protective effects of stem cells as well. Persephin (PSP) is a member of the family of GDNF

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... d also involves in the kidney development. We investigated the effects of human embryonic MSC (hMSC) in lupus nephritis in MRL/lpr mice. Methods: The MRL/lpr mice were divided into 2 groups: Control (n Z 16) and hMSC (n Z 16) groups. hMSC were injected at one dose of 1 Â 10 6 /200 ul twice (at the 16 th and 19 th weeks of age) through tail vein. Mice were sacrificed at 24 weeks of age. Multi-treatment of hMSC was able to increase the survival, decrease the levels of 24-hour proteinuria, and anti-doublestranded DNA (dsDNA) antibody. Results: hMSC treatment alleviated the extent of renal injury such as crescent formation and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration in MRL/lpr mice. hMSC treatment also inhibited Th17 cell differentiation in spleen and decrease the serum level of IL-17. The level of GDNF and PSP was increased in renal of hMSC treatment MRL/lpr mice.