Therapeutic Efficacy of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in the Repair of Established Ventilator-induced Lung Injury in the Rat

Abstract

AbstractAbstract Rats with ventilator-induced lung injury who received human mesenchymal stromal cells had enhanced lung repair and improved oxygenation compared to rats who received vehicle or fibroblasts. Mesenchymal stromal cell treatment was also associated with improved lung compliance, decreased alveolar edema, and restored lung architecture. The mechanism for improvement appeared to be in part decreased inflammation and decreased alveolar cell neutrophil. Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Rodent mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) enhance repair after ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). We wished to determine the therapeutic potential of human MSCs (hMSCs) in repairing the rodent lung. Methods: In series 1 , anesthetized rats underwent VILI ( series 1A , n = 8 to 9 per group) or protective ventilation ( series 1B , n = 4 per group). After VILI, they were randomized to intravenous administration of (1) vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline); (2) fibroblasts (1 × 10 7 cells/kg); or (3) human MSCs (1 × 10 7 cells/kg) and the effect on restoration of lung function and structure assessed. In series 2 , the efficacy of hMSC doses of 1, 2, 5, and 10 million/kg was examined (n = 8 per group). Series 3 compared the efficacy of both intratracheal and intraperitoneal hMSC administration to intravascular delivery (n = 5–10 per group). Series 4 examined the efficacy of delayed hMSC administration (n = 8 per group). Results: Human MSC’s enhanced lung repair, restoring oxygenation (131 ± 19 vs. 103 ± 11 vs . 95 ± 11 mmHg, P = 0.004) compared to vehicle or fibroblast therapy, respectively. hMSCs improved lung compliance, reducing alveolar edema, and restoring lung architecture. hMSCs attenuated lung inflammation, decreasing alveolar cellular infiltration, and decreasing cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 and interleukin-6 while increasing keratinocyte growth factor concentrations. The lowest effective hMSC dose was 2 × 10 6 hMSC/kg. Intraperitoneal hMSC delivery was less effective than intratracheal or intravenous hMSC. hMSCs enhanced lung repair when administered at later time points after VILI. Conclusions: hMSC therapy demonstrates therapeutic potential in enhancing recovery after VILI.