Human Tubal-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Associated with Low Level Laser Therapy Significantly Reduces Cigarette Smoke-Induced COPD in C57BL/6 mice

PLoS One. 2015 Aug 31;10(8):e0136942. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136942. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Cigarette smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a very debilitating disease, with a very high prevalence worldwide, which results in a expressive economic and social burden. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches to treat these patients are of unquestionable relevance. The use of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is an innovative and yet accessible approach for pulmonary acute and chronic diseases, mainly due to its important immunoregulatory, anti-fibrogenic, anti-apoptotic and pro-angiogenic. Besides, the use of adjuvant therapies, whose aim is to boost or synergize with their function should be tested. Low level laser (LLL) therapy is a relatively new and promising approach, with very low cost, no invasiveness and no side effects. Here, we aimed to study the effectiveness of human tube derived MSCs (htMSCs) cell therapy associated with a 30mW/3J-660 nm LLL irradiation in experimental cigarette smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thus, C57BL/6 mice were exposed to cigarette smoke for 75 days (twice a day) and all experiments were performed on day 76. Experimental groups receive htMSCS either intraperitoneally or intranasally and/or LLL irradiation either alone or in association. We show that co-therapy greatly reduces lung inflammation, lowering the cellular infiltrate and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and KC), which were followed by decreased mucus production, collagen accumulation and tissue damage. These findings seemed to be secondary to the reduction of both NF-κB and NF-AT activation in lung tissues with a concomitant increase in IL-10. In summary, our data suggests that the concomitant use of MSCs + LLLT may be a promising therapeutic approach for lung inflammatory diseases as COPD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / chemistry
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Low-Level Light Therapy / methods
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Middle Aged
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Nicotiana / adverse effects*
  • Pneumonia / chemically induced
  • Pneumonia / metabolism
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / chemically induced*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / metabolism*
  • Smoke / adverse effects
  • Smoking / adverse effects*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Interleukin-6
  • NF-kappa B
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Smoke
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Grants and funding

Financial support from FAPESP (Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo) – grants # 2011/18703-2 for Peron JPS and 2012/16498-5 for Ligeiro de Oliveira AP.