Stem-Cell Therapy for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) in Newborns
Said A. Omar,
Amal Abdul-Hafez,
Sherif Ibrahim,
Natasha Pillai,
Mohammed Abdulmageed,
Ranga Prasanth Thiruvenkataramani,
Tarek Mohamed,
Burra V. Madhukar,
Bruce D. Uhal
Affiliations
Said A. Omar
Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Amal Abdul-Hafez
Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Sherif Ibrahim
Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Natasha Pillai
Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Mohammed Abdulmageed
Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Ranga Prasanth Thiruvenkataramani
Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Tarek Mohamed
Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Burra V. Madhukar
Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Bruce D. Uhal
Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Premature newborns are at a higher risk for the development of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), acute lung injury (ALI) associated with lung inflammation, disruption of alveolar structure, impaired alveolar growth, lung fibrosis, impaired lung angiogenesis, and development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) with severe long-term developmental adverse effects. The current therapy for BPD is limited to supportive care including high-oxygen therapy and pharmacotherapy. Recognizing more feasible treatment options to improve lung health and reduce complications associated with BPD is essential for improving the overall quality of life of premature infants. There is a reduction in the resident stem cells in lungs of premature infants with BPD, which strongly suggests a critical role of stem cells in BPD pathogenesis; this warrants the exploration of the potential therapeutic use of stem-cell therapy. Stem-cell-based therapies have shown promise for the treatment of many pathological conditions including acute lung injury and BPD. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) including exosomes are promising and effective therapeutic modalities for the treatment of BPD. Treatment with MSCs and EVs may help to reduce lung inflammation, improve pulmonary architecture, attenuate pulmonary fibrosis, and increase the survival rate.
