Effect of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells versus Ascorbate on Experimentally Induced Pulmonary Emphysema in Albino Mice

Abdalla RE, Mohammed SS, Soliman N and Farghaly LM

Published on: 2020-08-31

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary emphysema is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), creating a huge worldwide economic burden. In Egypt, COPD is the sixth leading cause of death according to American center for disease control and prevention (CDC). This work was designed to study the histopathological changes of the mice's lung in experimentally induced emphysema and to evaluate the curative effects of intratracheally injected bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) versus ascorbate using light and electron microscopic techniques. 24 mice were divided into 4 groups. Group I (control), Group II received single intranasal PPE (Porcine Pancreatic Elastase) 200 units/kg to induce emphysema. Group III animals received single intranasal PPE and after 21 days were injected by BM-MSCs 5 x 10⁵ cells/intratracheally. Group IV received PPE and after 21 days received ascorbate 100 mg/kg, once daily for 21 days. Group I & II were sacrificed after 21 days, while group III & IV were sacrificed after 42 days from the experiment. The lungs were dissected out and the specimens were prepared for light and electron microscopic studies. PCR of SRY gene for assessing MSC engraftment in lung tissue was performed.

Results: Group II lungs revealed significant increase in the thickening of interalveolar septa with cellular infiltration and transudate, widely spaced alveoli and significant increase in necrotic type II pneumocytes. There was a significant decrease in elastic fibers, while there was significant increase in collagen fibers deposition around bronchioles. TEM results showed type II pneumocyte damage with lamellar bodies devoid of lamellar material.

Conclusion: Elastase induced marked histopathological changes in the lung developed to emphysema. Administration of BM-MSCs improved these changes better than ascorbate. This new treatment can alleviate the patient suffering with easy and available methods.