Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Secretome for Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Fibrosis: A New Therapy to Treat the Long-Term Lung Sequelae?
Elia Bari,
Ilaria Ferrarotti,
Laura Saracino,
Sara Perteghella,
Maria Luisa Torre,
Luca Richeldi,
Angelo Guido Corsico
Affiliations
Elia Bari
Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Ilaria Ferrarotti
Center for Diagnosis of Inherited Alpha1-Antitrypsin Deficiency, Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Pneumology Unit IRCCS San Matteo Hospital Foundation, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Laura Saracino
Pneumology Unit IRCCS San Matteo Hospital Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Sara Perteghella
Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Maria Luisa Torre
Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Luca Richeldi
Complex Operative Unit of Pneumology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy
Angelo Guido Corsico
Center for Diagnosis of Inherited Alpha1-Antitrypsin Deficiency, Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Pneumology Unit IRCCS San Matteo Hospital Foundation, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
To date, more than 100 million people worldwide have recovered from COVID-19. Unfortunately, although the virus is eradicated in such patients, fibrotic irreversible interstitial lung disease (pulmonary fibrosis, PF) is clinically evident. Given the vast numbers of individuals affected, it is urgent to design a strategy to prevent a second wave of late mortality associated with COVID-19 PF as a long-term consequence of such a devastating pandemic. Available antifibrotic therapies, namely nintedanib and pirfenidone, might have a role in attenuating profibrotic pathways in SARS-CoV-2 infection but are not economically sustainable by national health systems and have critical adverse effects. It is our opinion that the mesenchymal stem cell secretome could offer a new therapeutic approach in treating COVID-19 fibrotic lungs through its anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic factors.
