Adipose-derived stem cells therapy effectively attenuates PM2.5-induced lung injury.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The adverse health effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure are associated with marked inflammatory responses. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have immunosuppressive effects, and ADSC transplantation could attenuate pulmonary fibrosis in different animal disease models. However, whether ADSCs affect PM2.5-induced lung injury has not been investigated.

METHOD:

C57BL/6 mice were exposed to PM2.5 every other day via intratracheal instillation for 4 weeks. After that, the mice received tail vein injections of ADSCs every 2 weeks.

RESULTS:

ADSC transplantation significantly attenuated systemic and pulmonary inflammation, cardiac dysfunction, fibrosis, and cell death in PM2.5-exposed mice. RNA-sequencing results and bioinformatic analysis suggested that the downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly enriched in inflammatory and immune pathways. Moreover, ADSC transplantation attenuated PM2.5-induced cell apoptosis and pyroptosis in the lungs and hearts.

CONCLUSION:

ADSCs protect against PM2.5-induced adverse health effects through attenuating pulmonary inflammation and cell death. Our findings suggest that ADSC transplantation may be a potential therapeutic approach for severe air pollution-associated diseases.

• Authors: Junling Gao, Juntao Yuan, Qun Liu, Yuanli Wang, Huiwen Wang, Yingjie Chen, Wenjun Ding, Guangju Ji, Zhongbing Lu
• Journal: Stem cell research & therapy (Stem Cell Res Ther) Vol. 12 Issue 1 Pg. 355 (06 19 2021) ISSN: 1757-6512 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34147136 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Particulate Matter

Topics

• Adipose Tissue
• Animals
• Lung
• Lung Injury (chemically induced, genetics, therapy)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Particulate Matter (toxicity)
• Stem Cells