Isolation of Tracheal Aspirate Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Predicts Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Abstract

Background-We have isolated mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from tracheal aspirates of premature infants with respiratory distress. Under the influence of transforming growth factor-β, MSCs differentiate into α-smooth muscle actin-expressing myofibroblasts. Myofibroblasts are increased in the lungs of patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease of prematurely-born infants.