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Updated: Mar 31, 2026
Induction of Mouse Lung Injury by Endotracheal Injection of Bleomycin
Published on: April 30, 2019
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Animal Bleomycin Pulmonary Fibrosis Models: A Systematic Review
Nadim Srour1, Bernard Thébaud2
1Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Hôpital Charles-LeMoyne, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Mount Sinai Hospital Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Clinical Epidemiology Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada nadim.srour@usherbrooke.ca.
Unlabelled:
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is an inexorably progressive lung disease with few available treatments. New therapeutic options are needed. Stem cells have generated much enthusiasm for the treatment of several conditions, including lung diseases. Human trials of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy for pulmonary fibrosis are under way. To shed light on the potential usefulness of MSCs for human disease, we aimed to systematically review the preclinical literature to determine if MSCs are beneficial in animal bleomycin pulmonary fibrosis models. The MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched for original studies of stem cell therapy in animal bleomycin models of pulmonary fibrosis. Studies using embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells were excluded. Seventeen studies were selected, all of which used MSCs in rodents. MSC therapy led to an improvement in bleomycin-induced lung collagen deposition in animal lungs and in the pulmonary fibrosis Ashcroft score in most studies. MSC therapy improved histopathology in almost all studies in which it was evaluated qualitatively. Furthermore, MSC therapy was found to improve 14-day survival in animals with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Bronchoalveolar lavage total and neutrophil counts, as well as transforming growth factor-β levels, were also reduced by MSCs. MSCs are beneficial in rodent bleomycin pulmonary fibrosis models. Since most studies examined the initial inflammatory phase rather than the chronic fibrotic phase, preclinical data offer better support for human trials of MSCs in acute exacerbations of pulmonary fibrosis rather than the chronic phase of the disease.
Significance:
There has been increased interest in mesenchymal stromal cell therapy for lung diseases. A few small clinical trials are under way in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Preclinical evidence was assessed in a systematic review, as is often done for clinical studies. The existing studies offer better support for efficacy in the initial inflammatory phase rather than the fibrotic phase that human trials are targeting.
Insights
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) show promise for treating lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis. Preclinical studies in animal models indicate MSC therapy benefits lung health, particularly in the early inflammatory stages of the disease.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Cell Therapy
Background:
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease with limited treatment options.
- Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are being investigated for their therapeutic potential in various conditions, including lung diseases.
- Human clinical trials using MSC therapy for pulmonary fibrosis are currently underway.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review preclinical literature on the efficacy of MSC therapy in animal models of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
- To evaluate whether MSCs demonstrate beneficial effects in established animal models of lung fibrosis.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted on MEDLINE and Embase databases.
- Included studies focused on stem cell therapy in animal bleomycin models of pulmonary fibrosis, excluding embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells.
- Seventeen studies utilizing MSCs in rodent models were selected for review.
Main Results:
- MSC therapy improved lung collagen deposition and reduced the Ashcroft score in most rodent models.
- Histopathological improvements were observed in the majority of studies evaluating this outcome.
- MSC treatment enhanced 14-day survival rates and reduced inflammatory markers such as bronchoalveolar lavage cell counts and TGF-β levels.
Conclusions:
- Preclinical data suggest that MSCs are beneficial in rodent models of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
- The evidence supports MSC efficacy more strongly in the initial inflammatory phase than in the chronic fibrotic phase.
- These findings provide a basis for considering MSC therapy in acute exacerbations of pulmonary fibrosis, rather than the chronic fibrotic stage.
