Skip to content
Cover: fluorescent T lymphocytes under the microscope

Autoimmune disease and stem cells: the Th1/Th2 balance principle

Why immune rebalancing is the heart of cell therapy

Quick answer

There are over 100 autoimmune diseases, arising when the Th1/Th2 T-cell balance breaks and immunity attacks the body's own tissue. EHL Bio explains that stem cells help restore Th1/Th2 equilibrium, giving them potential in this disease group, and that they normalise both under- and over-active immunity. That is why cell therapy is being trialled across conditions from atopic dermatitis to rheumatoid arthritis.

Key facts

Diseases in group
Over 100 conditions
Principle
Th1/Th2 rebalancing
Additional mechanism
Expanding regulatory T cells
Versus steroids
Rebalancing, not blanket suppression
Caution
Never stop immunosuppressants alone

How Th1 and Th2 cells work

Th1 and Th2 are helper T-cell subsets pulling in different directions: Th1 handles intracellular pathogens and inflammation, Th2 drives antibody production and allergic responses. When one dominates, allergy or autoimmunity follows.

The immunomodulatory mechanisms of MSCs

MSCs modulate immunity through several routes: expanding regulatory T cells, dampening antigen-presenting cell activity and secreting anti-inflammatory mediators — nudging the system toward balance rather than blanket suppression like steroids.

Cautions specific to autoimmune disease

The caution: many of these diseases have no cure and some carry life-threatening complications, so swapping the immunosuppressants that currently control the disease for cell therapy is a risk not worth taking.

Always ask for disease-specific data

Ask for evidence specific to your own disease: data in one condition do not transfer to another. Evidence in graft-versus-host disease is entirely different from SLE or multiple sclerosis.

Frequently asked questions

  • Can SLE be treated with stem cells?

    Research exists but it is not standard care; SLE patients should remain under continuous rheumatology care.

  • Does cell therapy suppress immunity and raise infection risk?

    The concept is rebalancing rather than suppression, but infection monitoring after treatment is still necessary.

  • How often must it be repeated?

    It depends on the disease and protocol — some give two doses, others repeat cycles based on response.

  • What tests show improvement?

    Disease-specific markers such as ESR/CRP, validated severity indices and measurable clinical symptoms.

Medical cautions

5 points • reviewed 2026-08-28

Expand
  • This article is educational information only — not a diagnosis, prescription, or personal medical advice.
  • Outcomes vary by person, depending on age, underlying conditions, current medication, and the treating doctor's technique.
  • Consult a licensed physician and verify the clinic's licence before deciding on any treatment.
  • Some treatments (certain stem cell therapies in particular) are regulated differently by country — check Thai and Korean rules before travelling.
  • Prices, packages, and service details can change — confirm directly with the provider before paying.

Reviewed and last updated: 2026-08-28

References and sources

10 sources • every claim is traceable

Expand
  1. 1. EHL Bio — company introduction

    https://www.ehlbio.co.kr/company/about/

  2. 2. EHL Bio — company history

    https://www.ehlbio.co.kr/company/history/

  3. 3. EHL Bio — GMP centre

    https://www.ehlbio.co.kr/rd/gmp/

  4. 4. EHL Bio — stem cell therapeutics pipeline

    https://www.ehlbio.co.kr/rd/institute/

  5. 5. EHL Bio — patents and research papers

    https://www.ehlbio.co.kr/rd/patent/

  6. 6. EHL Bio — EHL-STEM conditioned media

    https://www.ehlbio.co.kr/conditioned/

  7. 7. EHL Bio — immune cells

    https://www.ehlbio.co.kr/immune_cell/

  8. 8. EHL Bio — target diseases

    https://www.ehlbio.co.kr/cure/index/

  9. 9. EHL Bio — locations and contact

    https://www.ehlbio.co.kr/company/contact/

  10. 10. Original article on khunkim.com (pre-migration)

    https://www.ehlbio.co.kr/cure/autoimmune/

Browse the full reference library →

Share this page

Last updated: 2026-08-28 · This content is for information only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified doctor before making treatment decisions.

Back to categories
See all articles

Related topics: Joints & immunity

See all in this category