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Review
. 2014 Jan;75(1-1):2-7.
doi: 10.1038/pr.2013.176. Epub 2013 Oct 14.

Stem cell-based therapy for neonatal lung disease: it is in the juice

Moses E Fung  1 , Bernard Thébaud  2
Affiliations
Review

Stem cell-based therapy for neonatal lung disease: it is in the juice

Moses E Fung et al. Pediatr Res. 2014 Jan.

Abstract

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, the chronic lung disease of prematurity, is the most common complication in extremely premature infants (born before 28 wk gestation). Despite advances in perinatal care, modern clinical management remains devoid of therapies specifically promoting lung repair and lung growth. Recent progress in stem cell biology has uncovered the promise of stem/progenitor cells to repair damaged organs. Contrary to the original theory that stem cells engraft and repopulate the damaged organ, evidence suggests that stem cells act via a paracrine mechanism. This review highlights the preclinical evidence for the therapeutic potential of cell-based therapies in animal models of neonatal chronic lung injury and the multiple therapeutic avenues offered by soluble stem cell-derived factors.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of possible repair mechanisms associated with stem cells. Many therapeutic mechanisms for stem cells have recently emerged. These include microparticle carriers such as microvesicles, exosomes or multivesicular bodies which are speculated to be released by stem cells and elicit a therapeutic response. MicroRNA packaged in these vesicles or as a sole effector may also play a therapeutic role. The role of secreted soluble proteins/peptides in neonatal and adult lung injury has been extensively studied. This has lead to the discovery of promising bioactive molecules such as the anti-inflammatory IL-10, Staniocalcin-1, TSG-6 and TNF-alpha antagonists, the combination of which may contribute to the pleiotropic effects promoting repair. Recent evidence also unveiled therapeutic mitochondria transfer via nanotubes. These mechanisms can signal endogenous stem cells to amplify or transduce similar repair actions.
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