Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma: mesenchymal stem cells and their extracellular vesicles as potential therapeutic tools

Abstract

Chronic lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, are one of the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality in the global. COPD is characterized by progressive loss of lung function through inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress caused by chronic exposure to harmful environmental pollutants. Airway inflammation and epithelial remodeling are also two main characteristics of asthma. In spite of extensive efforts from researchers, there is still a great need for novel therapeutic approaches for treatment of these conditions. Accumulating evidence suggests the potential role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in treatment of many lung injuries due to their beneficial features including immunomodulation and tissue regeneration. Besides, the therapeutic advantages of MSCs are chiefly related to their paracrine functions such as releasing extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs comprising exosomes and microvesicles are heterogeneous bilayer membrane structures loaded with various lipids, nucleic acids and proteins. Due to their lower immunogenicity, tumorigenicity, and easier management, EVs have appeared as favorable alternatives to stem cell therapies. Therefore, in this review, we provided an overview on the current understanding of the importance of MSCs and MSC-derived EVs from different sources reported in preclinical and clinical COPD and asthmatic models.

Clinical application of mesenchymal stem cell in regenerative medicine: a narrative review

“…MSCs can express a wide range of surface markers and cytokine profiles according to the origin of isolation [ 31 ]. Nevertheless, the common characterization markers of MSCs are CD73, CD105, CD90 and lacking expression of CD45, CD34, CD14 or CD11b, CD79α or CD19, and HLA-DR [ 32 – 34 ]. During the last decades, MSCs have shown various biological roles such as multilineage differentiation, immunomodulation, angiogenesis, anti-apoptotic and anti-fibrotic activity, chemo-attraction, and tissue repair development [ 35 – 37 ].…”

Effects of mesenchymal stem cell-derived nanovesicles in experimental allergic airway inflammation

“…In the search for a therapy that can both reduce inflammation and improve remodeling of the airways, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have shown promise as a new strategy for attenuating inflammation and restoring balance to the repair processes thus preventing noxious remodeling [3]. MSC are capable of promoting immunomodulatory effects in a wide range of respiratory illnesses, even in xenogeneic transplantation models [4].…”

Shining the light on mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in breast cancer

“…Second, MSCs must have a particular cell surface antigen expression such as CD73, CD90, CD105, and lacking expression of CD45, CD34, CD14 or CD11b, CD79α or CD19 and HLA-DR. Third, these cells should have the capacity to differentiate into various mesodermal cell types (i.e., adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts) when cultured under special conditions. Furthermore, MSCs have ability to differentiate into non-mesodermal cells, such as neuronal cells, cardiomyocytes, hepatocytes or epithelial cells [14][15][16][17]. This property of stromal cells provides advantages in tissue regeneration.…”