Multiple Doses of Stem Cells Show Potential in Treating Severe Asthma

DURHAM, N.C., Nov. 20, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A study released today in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine (SCTM) describes how multiple doses of a type of stem cell called mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) might offer a new way to treat people suffering from severe asthma.

An asthma attack is triggered by allergens entering the lungs and causing swelling of the airways. This sets off a domino effect that results in narrowing of the airways from the nose and mouth to the lungs. The most severe cases can lead to death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 13 people have asthma. There is no cure, but it can be managed in most cases with proper prevention and treatment.

The study in SCTM, conducted by researchers at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and the National Institute of Science and Technology for Regenerative Medicine, focused on a new treatment for asthma brought on by house dust mites (HDMs). Some estimate that these common microscopic creatures are the culprit behind nearly 85 percent of all asthma attacks.

Patricia Rieken Macedo Rocco, M.D., Ph.D., was lead investigator on the study. "Previous experiments tell us that a single dose of adipose tissue-derived MSCs reduced lung inflammation in asthma brought on by HDMs, but it was unable to reverse lung remodeling," she said. "We wanted to see how multiple doses of MSCs might perform."

Earlier studies using bone marrow-derived MSCs also demonstrated therapeutic effects in HDM-induced allergic asthma, but the availability of these cells is limited due to the invasive procedure needed to harvest the cells. "We opted for MSCs collected from human adipose tissue instead, as they can be easily obtained by liposuction," Dr. Rocco explained. "Furthermore, adipose tissue is estimated to contain a greater number of MSCs compared to bone marrow, and these cells appear to be expandable to a higher number of passages, thus providing attractive advantages for use in a multiple-dose regimen."

For their study, the team used a mouse model that had been developed to be sensitive to HDMs. One group of animals received two intravenous doses of MSCs (105 cells/day) beginning 24 hours after being exposed to the mites; a second group received three doses; and a third group was administered dexamethasone, a steroid often used to treat experimental asthma. A control group was given saline only.

After seven days, the animals treated with the two and three doses of MSCs showed reduced lung inflammation and remodeling, improved lung function and T-cell immunosuppression, with the three-dose regimen proving the most effective.

"MSC-induced immunosuppression has been reported in models of autoimmune disorders and in early-stage clinical trials, with some promising results for the treatment of graft versus host disease, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and other conditions. But this is the first study demonstrating that multiple doses of MSCs may induce immunosuppressive effects in experimental allergic asthma," Dr. Rocco said.

"These findings should be borne in mind for future clinical trials in patients with severe asthma."

"Outcomes from this study highlight the potential of mesenchymal stromal cells to reduce lung inflammation caused by asthma, which affects more than 25 million people in America alone," said Anthony Atala, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of SCTM and director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. "Larger clinical studies will be welcomed to further verify the safety and efficacy of this treatment."

The full article, "Multiple Doses of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Induce Immunosuppression in Experimental Asthma," can be accessed at https://stemcellsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/sctm.19-0120.

About STEM CELLS Translational Medicine: STEM CELLS Translational Medicine (SCTM), co-published by AlphaMed Press and Wiley, is a monthly peer-reviewed publication dedicated to significantly advancing the clinical utilization of stem cell molecular and cellular biology. By bridging stem cell research and clinical trials, SCTM will help move applications of these critical investigations closer to accepted best practices. SCTM is the official journal partner of Regenerative Medicine Foundation.

About AlphaMed Press: Established in 1983, AlphaMed Press with offices in Durham, NC, San Francisco, CA, and Belfast, Northern Ireland, publishes two other internationally renowned peer-reviewed journals: STEM CELLS®, is the world's first journal devoted to this fast paced field of research. The Oncologist® (http://www.TheOncologist.com), also a monthly peer-reviewed publication, is devoted to community and hospital-based oncologists and physicians entrusted with cancer patient care. All three journals are premier periodicals with globally recognized editorial boards dedicated to advancing knowledge and education in their focused disciplines.

About Wiley: Wiley, a global company, helps people and organizations develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Our online scientific, technical, medical and scholarly journals, combined with our digital learning, assessment and certification solutions, help universities, learned societies, businesses, governments and individuals increase the academic and professional impact of their work. For more than 200 years, we have delivered consistent performance to our stakeholders. The company's website can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com.

About Regenerative Medicine Foundation (RMF): The non-profit Regenerative Medicine Foundation fosters strategic collaborations to accelerate the development of regenerative medicine to improve health and deliver cures. RMF pursues its mission by producing its flagship World Stem Cell Summit, honouring leaders through the Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Action Awards, and promoting educational initiatives.

SOURCE STEM CELLS Translational Medicine

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