A new study has shown that mesenchymal stem cells can protect human lungs exposed to cigarette smoke. The researchers found that the mesenchymal stem cells alleviated oxidative stress in mitochondria within the lungs, reducing inflammation and protecting cells. The findings could help researchers develop a treatment for lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The study, titled Mesenchymal stem cells alleviate oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in the airways, was published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The research project was completed by a team of researchers at the Imperial College London and Hong Kong University (HKU).
The researchers were looking at the effects of cigarette smoke on muscle cells taken from human lungs. They found that these muscle cells are more likely to die when they become damaged by smoke. Smoke was particularly damaging to the mitochondria cells in the lungs — tiny cells that help with energy production.
Previous studies have found that mitochondria dysfunction is one of the factors that cause lung inflammation in people with COPD. The researchers decided to test the ability of mesenchymal stem cells to protect the mitochondria and reduce this inflammation.
They cultured mesenchymal stem cells and lung cells together in the presence cigarette smoke. They found the stem cells protected the mitochondria and reduced cellular death. The scientists discovered that the mesenchymal stem cells were able to reduce the generation of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can damage lung cells through oxidative stress.
The research team was delighted to discover that the stem cells moved into adjacent lung cells, repairing them as they moved.
Next, they tested mesenchymal stem cells on mice that were experiencing oxidative stress in their lungs. The stem cells were delivered intravenously. They found that the lung inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction experienced by the mice was reduced.
These findings may lead to treatments for many illnesses that affect the lungs.
Source: Stem Cells May Offset Damage Done by Smoking to Cells in Lungs, Early Study Says
{{cta(‘d59882b5-74e2-4033-be94-d4c340e1978c’)}}