Testing Treatment of Emphysema with Lung Stem Cells

Via EurekAlert!: "When autologous (self-donated) lung-derived mensenchymal stem cells (LMSCs) were transplanted endoscopically into 13 adult female sheep modeled with emphysema, post-transplant evaluation showed evidence of tissue regeneration with increased blood perfusion and extra cellular matrix content. Researchers concluded that their approach could represent a practical alternative to conventional stem cell-based therapy for treating emphysema. ... previous transplantation studies, many of which used an intravenous delivery method, have shown that [bone marrow derived mensenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs)] have been only marginally successful in treating lung diseases. Further, therapeutic responses in those studies have been limited to animal models of inflammatory lung diseases, such as asthma and acute lung injury. To try and answer the questions surrounding the utility of BM-MSCs for treating advanced emphysema, a disease characterized by tissue destruction and loss of lung structural integrity, for this study the researchers isolated highly proliferative, mensenchymal cells from adult lung parenchyma (functional tissue) (LMSCs) and used an endoscopic delivery system coupled with a scaffold comprised of natural extracellular matrix components. ... despite the use of autologous cells, only a fraction of the LMSCs delivered to the lungs alveolar compartment appeared to engraft. Cell death likely occurred because of the failure of LMSCs to home to and bind within their niche, perhaps because the niche was modified by inflammation or fibrosis. These cells are attachment-dependent and failure to attach results in cell death. Their findings did suggest, however, that LMSCs were capable of contributing to lung remodeling leading to documented functional improvement rather than scarring 28 days post transplantation."

Link: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-06/ctco-cto060412.php

Comments

I would like to be in a testing for my lungs. I have heard alot about stem cells and I think it is my lonely hope. I have COPD in stage 4. I have besided not to have lung trasplant, not good odds for me. I have kids and I want to be here when they grow up.

Posted by: Nina at January 30th, 2013 11:11 AM

I would also like to volunteer for stem cell...I have had enphysema for 10 years had titanium valves put in 1 lung in 3006 and that help me ouy...But know I think I should procede with the right way to hepl me or someonee else Thanks Cliff

Posted by: Cliff Rutherford at April 30th, 2013 10:38 PM

Please consider for this testing as well. I have severe emphysema, my FEV 1 is less than 550. Please consider me for any trial with stem cells.

Posted by: William Hruska Jr at May 12th, 2013 12:21 PM

I would like stem cell therapy as I have stage3 emphysema

Posted by: June stechman at October 23rd, 2014 4:50 PM

My father died 4 years ago from emphysema and my brother who is two years older than me is also suffering from emphysema and is on oxygen and I also have emphysema. My symptoms have become increasingly worse in this past year. I have three children my youngest is 9 yrs old. My husband passed away from lung cancer so I do not want to put my children through the difficult time that I am aware is coming. I want to show them that I will fight for more time with them.I am very interested in stem cell therapy because I believe that God has made it available to people as a treatment to prolong life and not to keep it from people who can benefit from the procedure.

Posted by: Dawn Baranoski at November 4th, 2014 7:49 PM
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