Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
03:45
Tracheotomy: A Method for Transplantation of Stem Cells to the Lung
Published on: February 25, 2007
Stem cell transplantation: the lung barrier
S Schrepfer1, T Deuse, H Reichenspurner
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. schrepfer@stanford.edu
Transplantation Proceedings
|March 17, 2007
Summary
Intravenous injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for tissue regeneration is limited by lung trapping. Pretreatment with sodium nitroprusside (SN) significantly reduces MSCs trapped in the lungs, improving cell delivery to injured tissues.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cell Therapy
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold promise for tissue regeneration due to their differentiation potential.
- Intravenous (IV) delivery of MSCs is hindered by pulmonary capillary trapping, limiting their therapeutic efficacy in injured organs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of sodium nitroprusside (SN) in reducing MSC trapping in the lungs following IV injection.
- To assess the potential of SN pretreatment to enhance MSC migration to injured tissues.
Main Methods:
- Mouse MSCs were isolated, purified, and labeled for in vitro size assessment and in vivo tracking.
- Fluorescent microspheres of varying sizes were injected to estimate pulmonary capillary diameter and assess trapping.
- Mice received IV injections of MSCs with or without SN pretreatment, with subsequent monitoring of cell distribution via imaging and histopathology.
Main Results:
- MSCs suspended in vitro measured 15-19 micrometers.
- SN pretreatment significantly reduced the trapping of 10-micrometer and 15-micrometer microspheres in the lungs.
- Histopathology and imaging confirmed a significant reduction in MSC trapping within pulmonary microvasculature after SN pretreatment.
Conclusions:
- IV SN pretreatment effectively reduces MSC trapping in the lungs.
- This reduction enhances MSC passage through pulmonary capillaries.
- SN pretreatment has the potential to improve the delivery of MSCs to injured organs for therapeutic purposes.
