Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapy of Inflammatory Lung Diseases: Current Understanding and Future Perspectives

Figure 1

Molecular mechanisms responsible for MSC-based attenuation of ARDS. Intravenously injected MSCs engrafted in the ARDS-injured lungs and, in a paracrine manner (through the production of KGF, VEGF, HGF), promoted proliferation of epithelial cells, induced protection of vascular permeability, and prevented apoptosis of endothelial cells. Additionally, MSC-based therapy reduced the presence of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BLF) and in a PGE2-dependent manner suppressed the production of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and stimulated the secretion of immunosuppressive IL-10 in alveolar macrophages.