Abstract

Aerosol-based stem cell delivery as a new strategy for treatment of lung diseases

Badrul Hisham Yahaya, Senior Lecturer/Principal Investigator/Head, Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Group, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Aerosol-based cell therapy is a novel therapeutic strategy in enhancing reparative process in lung diseases. Our group had developed and established an aerosol-based cell delivery method of delivery stem cell in an animal model of ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in rabbits. Rabbits were sensitized with ovalbumin in combination with alum as a method for induction of chronic lung inflammation. Human adipose-derived MSC was aerosolised and transplanted using the MicroSprayer® Aerosolizer Model IA-1B. Histopathological assessments of the airways and molecular analysis of RT-PCR were performed following treatments. The changes of the airway structures (basement membrane, epithelium, mucosa and sub mucosal regions) were significantly improved in the group treated with aerosolized-MSC as compared to control group. Reduction of the pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines gene expression, including IL-4, IL-1ß, TNF-a, GMCSF, TGF-ß, IFN-? and MMP-9, inhibition of goblet cell hyperplasia and reduced number of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid indicates the regeneration and repair of the airways. The aerosol-based cell delivery method appeared to be safe for the animals where none of the animals in either group displayed signs of respiratory distress, swelling in the thorax, or cell rejection such as fever, diarrhoea, and drastic weight loss. Histological analysis of spleen and liver tissues were indicated as no abnormal findings. Our study suggests that aerosol-based cell delivery can be a valuable tool for future therapeutic strategy to treat lung diseases.