Stem cells: saving the sick lungs

Christiane Fux studied journalism and psychology in Hamburg. The experienced medical editor has been writing magazine articles, news and factual texts on all conceivable health topics since 2001. In addition to her work for, Christiane Fux is also active in prose. Her first crime novel was published in 2012, and she also writes, designs and publishes her own crime plays.

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In lung diseases such as COPD, the tissue of the lungs is increasingly damaged and scarred. The result is shortness of breath, and fatal courses are frequent. So far, the disease process could only be slowed down, but not stopped or even reversed. Now there is hope: stem cells from the lungs.

Stem cells have the ability to transform into different cell types. Researchers working with Wie Zuo Tongji from the University of Shanghai have now succeeded in significantly improving the condition of sick lungs with their help.

With the brush to catch the stem cells

The scientists first tested this on mice. Using an endoscope equipped with tiny brushes, they first obtained cells from human bronchi. Including a rare form of stem cell, the SOX9 + basal cells. Unlike embryonic stem cells, such so-called progenitor cells are tissue-specific. In that case, that means that only lung tissue cells can be formed from them - but the whole range of these can be formed.

New alveoli

The researchers multiplied the SOX9 + basal cells in the laboratory and initially transplanted them into mice with lung disease. In fact, the scarred areas of the lungs have been partially replaced with functional human lung tissue. Within three weeks, both new bronchioles - the finest branches of the airways - and new alveoli, in which the actual gas exchange of oxygen and CO2 takes place, developed in the rodent's lungs.

Docked blood vessels

However, it was particularly important that the animals had not only developed new lung tissue from stem cells, but also new blood vessels. They networked with human tissue and made gas exchange possible in the first place. The lung function of the animals was able to improve significantly again.

Differences between humans and animals

"However, the anatomical structure and development of human lungs is very different from that of mice," says Zuo. Next, the scientists tested the method on two human patients who suffered from bronchiectasis be associated with inflammation, severe coughing and sputum, putrid breath and shortness of breath.

Better lung function, less shortness of breath

In principle, scientists proceeded in the same way as with the sick mice - only that patients were transplanted with their own stem cells. One year after the procedure, various respiratory symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath had improved. Images from the computer tomograph showed that the diseased structures of the lungs had recovered in some areas. The first positive change was already apparent three months after the transplant. “The step towards a new therapeutic strategy requires courage for scientists and patients,” says Zuo. It is all the more gratifying that the results look promising.

The team has now treated a total of 80 participants with lung stem cell therapy, including patients with COPD and cystic fibrosis.

According to the latest figures, 6.8 million people in Germany suffer from COPD alone. According to the Lung White Paper, 14,970 men and 11048 women died of it in 2011.

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