Elsevier

Translational Research

Volume 156, Issue 3, September 2010, Pages 188-205
Translational Research

Review Article
Stem cells and cell therapy approaches in lung biology and diseases

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trsl.2010.06.007Get rights and content

Cell-based therapies with embryonic or adult stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells, have emerged as potential novel approaches for several devastating and otherwise incurable lung diseases, including emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and the acute respiratory distress syndrome. Although initial studies suggested engraftment of exogenously administered stem cells in lung, this is now generally felt to be a rare occurrence of uncertain physiologic significance. However, more recent studies have demonstrated paracrine effects of administered cells, including stimulation of angiogenesis and modulation of local inflammatory and immune responses in mouse lung disease models. Based on these studies and on safety and initial efficacy data from trials of adult stem cells in other diseases, groundbreaking clinical trials of cell-based therapy have been initiated for pulmonary hypertension and for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In parallel, the identity and role of endogenous lung progenitor cells in development and in repair from injury and potential contribution as lung cancer stem cells continue to be elucidated. Most recently, novel bioengineering approaches have been applied to develop functional lung tissue ex vivo. Advances in each of these areas will be described in this review with particular reference to animal models.

Abbreviations

AEC
alveolar epithelial cell
ALI
acute lung injury
ARDS
acute respiratory distress syndrome
BASC
bronchioalveolar stem cell
CCSP
Clara cell secretory protein
CF
cystic fibrosis
CFTR
cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator
CLP
cecal ligation and puncture
COPD
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
eNOS
endothelial nitric oxide synthetase
EPC
endothelial progenitor cell
ESC
embryonic stem cell
FEV1
forced expiratory volume in 1 second
FVC
forced vital capacity
GFP
green fluorescent protein
HSC
hematopoietic stem cell
IPF
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
KGF
keratinocyte growth factor
LPS
lipopolysaccharide
MCT
monocrotaline
MHC
major histocompatibility complex
MSC
mesenchymal stromal (stem) cell
PH
pulmonary hypertension
pro-SPC
pro-surfactant protein C
Sca-1
stem cell antigen-1

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Supported by NHLBIHL087274 and HL081289 research grants from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the American Lung Association and NCRR COBREP20 RR-155557.

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