Nasal mucosa-derived ecto-mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate LPS-induced acute lung injury

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from nasal mucosa, known as EMSCs, have demonstrated therapeutic potential in conditions such as liver failure and bone defects. However, investigations focusing on the application of EMSCs in ALI are still lacking. In our study, an ALI model was induced in rats through lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration, with subsequent intravenous delivery of either saline or EMSCs. Co-culture experiments using transwell systems revealed that EMSCs improved the viability and proliferation of A549 cells, while also suppressing LPS-induced inflammation and apoptosis. Moreover, the administration of EMSCs not only improved pulmonary microvascular permeability and alleviated histopathological damage, but also exerted downregulatory effects on the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNFα, IL6, and IL-1β, while concurrently upregulating the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in both bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and plasma. Immunohistochemistry analysis further revealed an elevated expression of proliferation marker Ki67 and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2, accompanied by a reduction in the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax, thus indicating the beneficial outcomes of EMSCs. Collectively, these findings underscore the potential of EMSC-based therapies as promising and effective strategies for the treatment of lung injury.