Combined treatment with mesenchymal stem cells and ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 ameliorates PM2.5-induced lung injury

He Jiang1, Lifang Jin2,3, ShanShan Tan2

  • 1Center for General Practice Medicine, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, No. 158, Shangtang Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China.

Toxicology Research
|July 14, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Combining mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 enhances treatment for particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5)-induced lung injury. This combined therapy offers superior efficacy in mitigating lung damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress compared to MSCs alone.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) exposure causes lung injury.
  • Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show therapeutic potential for lung injury.
  • Rho-associated protein kinase 1 (ROCK) signaling influences MSC function in the lungs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the enhanced therapeutic efficacy of combined MSCs and ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 for PM2.5-induced lung injury.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this combined therapy.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro analysis using PM2.5-treated A549 cells (wound healing, oxidative stress, inflammatory factors).
  • In vivo analysis using PM2.5-treated mice (lung pathology, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, inflammatory factors).
  • Immunohistochemical analysis of EMT markers (E-cadherin, α-SMA, vimentin) and β-catenin pathway.

Main Results:

  • Combined MSCs and Y-27632 treatment significantly improved wound healing and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in A549 cells compared to MSCs alone.
  • PM2.5 exposure altered EMT markers in mouse lung tissue.
  • Both MSC monotherapy and combined therapy reduced lung pathology, oxidative stress, inflammation, and EMT by inhibiting the β-catenin pathway.
  • The combined MSCs and Y-27632 treatment demonstrated superior efficacy in mitigating PM2.5-induced lung injury.

Conclusions:

  • Combined MSCs and Y-27632 therapy offers enhanced therapeutic benefits for PM2.5-induced lung injury.
  • This approach effectively reduces inflammation, oxidative stress, and EMT.
  • The findings provide valuable insights into PM2.5 lung injury mechanisms and potential interventions.