Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have promising potential in the treatment of various diseases, such as the therapeutic effect of bone marrow-derived MSCs for phosgene-induced acute lung injury (P-ALI). However, MSC-related therapeutics are limited due to poor cell survival, requiring appropriate MSC delivery systems to maximise therapeutic capacity. Biomaterial RGD-hydrogel is a potential cell delivery vehicle as it can mimic the natural extracellular matrix and provide cell adhesion support. The application of RGD-hydrogel in the MSC treatment of respiratory diseases is scarce. This study reports that RGD-hydrogel has good biocompatibility and can increase the secretion of Angiopoietin-1, hepatocyte growth factor, epidermal growth factor, vascular endothelial cell growth factor, and interleukin-10 in vitro MSCs. The hydrogel-encapsulated MSCs could further alleviate P-ALI and show better cell survival in vivo. Overall, RGD-hydrogel could improve the MSC treatment of P-ALI by modulating cell survival and reparative activities. It is exciting to see more and more ways to unlock the therapeutic potential of MSCs.

Qingke Pingchuan granules (QKPCG), a patented traditional Chinese medicine, clinically, are recommended for acute tracheobronchitis, cough, community-acquired pneumonia, and other respiratory diseases. However, its potential protective effect and mechanism of action in acute lung injury (ALI) have not been explored. We aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying the protective role of QKPCG in ALI. The therapeutic efficacy of QKPCG was investigated in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mouse model.Mice were divided into three groups, namely, the Control, LPS, and LPS + QKPCG groups. Mice in the LPS + QKPCG group were administered QKPCG intragastrically as a treatment once a day for a total of three days. QKPCG effectively increased survival and reduced lung injury in treated mice.It significantly reduced the LPS-induced expression of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1α, and IL-1β. RNA-sequencing followed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction validation suggested a critical role of the secretoglobin family 1A member 1 (Scgb1a1) gene in