Effects of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells in experimental treatment of pulmonary emphysema

Abstract

The aim of the study was to asses morphologic and morphometric lung tissue changes and peritoneal macrophages activity (MA) after allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) systemic transplantation in acute elastase model of pulmonary emphysema(PE) in rats.
 Methods: Forty Wistar rats, 3-months old, were randomized into 4 groups. Control group (1 group) was injected intratracheally 0,4 ml of normal saline, other animals (2-4 groups) received one intratracheal injection of 20 units (U) porcine pancreatic elastase in 0,4 ml of saline. Next day (3 group) and 7 day (4 group) rats were intravenously injected 2 x 106 autologous MSCs in 0,5 ml of saline. 2 group was used as emphysema control. Before euthanizing at the 21* day rats were undergone peritoneal lavage with analysis of hemi-luminescent macrophages activity in the obtained fluid.
 Results: the lungs of 2-4 groups had various degrees of PE. The width of alveolar ducts (VAD) in group 2 experimental emphysema increased by 231% versus the control group. The transplantation of MSCs in a day after elastase decreased VAD by an average of 50.3% compared to the control of experimental emphysema. In animals MSCs injected at the 7th day of study, this sizes decreased more greater - by 64,5%, but was higher by 40.7% compared to the first control group. Another quantitative measure of PE - alveolar index - was significantly increased by 149% in group 2 compared to control. The transplantation of MSCs at 1st and 7th day of experiment leaded to alveolar index decreasing, respectively on 163.4 and 237% . The peak Index of hemi-luminescent macrophages activity (Mv/106 cells) was 28,8+1,1 (1 group), 57,3 +1,3 (2 group), 35,8+1,6 (3 group), 31,9+1,9 (4 group).
 Conclusions: our study confirmed the possibility of regenerative lung tissue effect of autologous MSCs intravenous injected in experimental rat models of PE.