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Published on: May 4, 2020
Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Based Therapies for Chronic Lung Disease of Prematurity
Lannae Strueby1, Bernard Thébaud2
1Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Insights
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) show promise for treating bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a lung disease in premature infants. Research highlights MSCs from perinatal tissues as a potential therapy to protect and repair developing lungs, with clinical trials underway.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Regenerative Medicine
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Advances in perinatal care increase survival rates for extremely premature infants.
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease, is a major complication in infants born before 28 weeks' gestation.
- Current treatments for BPD are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) for mitigating lung injury and promoting lung growth in BPD.
- To summarize the progress in MSC-based therapies for BPD over the last decade.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical and clinical research on MSCs for BPD.
- Focus on MSCs derived from perinatal tissues (umbilical cord, placenta).
Main Results:
- MSCs demonstrate significant potential in protecting the developing lung from injury.
- Preclinical data support the efficacy of MSC-based therapies.
- Phase I and II clinical trials are currently investigating MSCs in preterm neonates.
Conclusions:
- Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) represent a promising therapeutic strategy for BPD.
- Perinatal tissues are a valuable source of potent stem cells for lung repair.
- Further clinical investigation is warranted to establish MSCs as a standard treatment for BPD.
Abstract:
Advances in perinatal care allow the survival of ever more premature infants. By approaching the biological limit of viability, survival free of injury becomes more challenging. As a consequence, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the chronic lung disease of prematurity, remains one of the main complications in infants born before 28 weeks' gestation. Currently, there is no treatment for BPD. Recent progress in understanding the biology of stem cells has opened unprecedented therapeutic options to mitigate lung injury and promote lung growth. Perinatal tissue, such as the umbilical cord and the placenta, represents a rich source of potent repair cells. Thus far, mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-based therapies demonstrate the most potential for protecting the developing lung from injury. Preclinical evidence supporting this potential therapeutic role has provided the basis for the initiation of phase I and II clinical trials in preterm neonates. This brief review summarizes the current knowledge accumulated over the past 10 years about MSCs and their repair potential in BPD.
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