What Are Lung Diseases?

Lungs are a complex system within the body that soaks oxygen and pumps out carbon dioxide to regulate a healthy breathing process. Block or illnesses of the lung significantly impact the quality and health of a person.

Categories of pulmonary diseases are –

1. Obstructive – The inability to exhale air due to obstructed lung airways. The primary reason for obstructive lung disease is blocked arteries due to plaque buildup.
2. Non-obstructive – Such lung diseases occur due to neuromuscular disorders that prevent breathing and ventilation. In other words, patients with this type of disease face problems in lung expansion with air.

Diagnosis

Some of the conclusive diagnoses for lung diseases are –

1. Lung function test – A wide range of tests suggested by healthcare providers to determine the lungs’ capability.
2. Spirometry – Lung function test to check the speed and volume of air while exhaling.
3. Lung Diffusion Capacity – A lung functioning test to check the volume of oxygen infused into the bloodstream.
4. Arterial blood gas test – A test where the patient needs to breathe through a tube to assess the diffusion abilities of oxygen into the bloodstream.
5. Chest X-ray – A normal X-ray to diagnose different types of lung diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, or pulmonary fibrosis.
6. CT scan – Determine the causes of lung diseases with an imaging test. Moreover, patients should do their CT scans sparingly as they exude harmful radiation that is dangerous to their health in increased concentrations.
7. MRI – A radio wave scan assisted with computer results to identify blood vessel problems or tumors in the chest.
8. Bronchoscopy – Introduction of a tube with a camera into the lung airways to check the signs and severity of lung diseases (if any).

Causes

Let us investigate some prevalent causes of lung diseases –

• Allergies – Respiratory tract allergies such as rhinitis and asthma can affect the lungs and develop chronic diseases
• Environmental pollution – Smoking or exposure to passive smoking, environmental toxins such as asbestos, lead, fumes, and chemicals
• Antibiotic medication and chemotherapy – Antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin can cause pulmonary fibrosis that scars the lungs. Additionally, chemotherapy drugs such as bleomycin can cause lung damage too.
• Autoimmune disorders – Lupus, sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis are certain autoimmune conditions that can introduce lung diseases.
• Genetic disorders such as alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency – Severe respiratory problems during childhood, improper lung growth, and genetic conditions can develop lung diseases or COPD at an early age
• Lost elasticity of the air sacs around the lungs
• Increased mucus production in the airways that blocks oxygen circulation
• Inflamed and think airway walls

Read Also: Benefits of Stem Cell Treatment: How To Stop the Progression of Multiple Sclerosis?

Symptoms

Noteworthy symptoms that confirm lung diseases are –

• Lack of breath during heavy physical activities
• Blocked nose passage causing wheezing sounds while breathing
• Congestion in the chest due to blocked airways
• Too much mucus secretion
• Non-stop coughing
• A sensation of burning in the chest due to infected respiratory tracts
• Swelled up feet and ankles
• Lack of oxygen infusion into the bloodstream adds a blueish tinge to the lips and fingernails
• Changed color of mucus or presence of blood
• Increased headaches in the morning
• Uncontrolled loss of weight

Types of Lung Diseases

Lung diseases reduce breathing abilities and develop several autoimmune, respiratory, and neurological disorders. Let us discuss some of the prominent diseases –

1. Asthma – Blockage of the lung airways that causes suffocation and breathing inability.
2. Chronic bronchitis – Increased mucus and wet cough blocking the nose and lung pathways.
3. COPD – Breathing problems caused due to the inability to exhale properly.
4. Pneumonia – Infected alveoli with accumulated fluid that causes cough, cold, fever, and breathing inabilities.
5. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) – Illnesses that damage the lungs severely are called ARDS and patients with this condition require the support of a ventilator until complete recovery.
6. Lung cancer – Life-threatening tumors that block lung airways and degrade functioning abilities.
7. Interstitial lung disease – Illnesses that promote lung inflammation and reduce oxygen supply.
8. Pulmonary hypertension – Arterial high blood pressure that causes chest pain and breath loss.
9. Pleural effusion – Fluid accumulation due to heart failure in between the chest walls and lungs that causes breathing inabilities. Difficulty in breathing is caused by failure of the heart.
10. Neuromuscular disorders – Nervous damage of the respiratory muscles that not only causes dynamic neuromuscular diseases but also prevents normal functioning of the lungs.

Significance of MSCs for Managing COPD Conditions

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are sourced from healthy human umbilical cord tissues (Wharton’s Jelly). These cells are pluripotent. It means they can convert into required stem cells to heal or regenerate topical injuries of the body and cure deadly diseases.

Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties of MSCs ensure active repair and prevention of diseases.

Novel stem cells for COPD repair the lung tissue damage related to chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Moreover, the anti-inflammatory properties help to clear the lung airways for free breathing.

MSCs can transform into lung mesenchymal cells, alveolar epithelial cells, airway epithelial cells, and structural cells needed to boost the reversal of COPD effects.

Read Also: How To Cure Male Infertility with Effective Stem Cell Therapy?

Several patients were treated with stem cells in a lung institute. 82% of these patients highlighted improvement in their conditions due to the treatment. Additionally, it significantly increased the capacity of the lungs to inhale and exhale air completely.

Furthermore, a non-surgical administration approach is taken for stem cells. This prevents the pain, complications, and long time needed to recover.

Stem cell therapy for COPD follows a particular approach to eliminate pathological processes with paracrine signaling, immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory actions, and tissue regeneration.

Read Also: Stem Cell Therapy for COPD Management: A New Hope

Stem Cell Therapy Benefits for Lung Diseases

Incredible benefits of this treatment for COPD and obstructive lung diseases are –

• MSCs are safe, tolerable, and relieve several conditions without any side effects
• Reduces the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines
• Decreases infiltration from neutrophils and macrophages
• Promotes lung tissue regeneration
• Repairs alveolar structures
• Improves expiratory volume
• No anesthetic or surgical requirements for administration
• MSCs repair damaged lung tissues, airways, and functions of the lung faster compared to surgeries, medicines, or other stem cell sources
• The treatment helps to regenerate blood vessels and lung tissues
• Creates capillaries and membranes from the lining of the air sacs
• Rapid circulation of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the immunity system of the body attacks its own protective layers of the joint. Also, RA affects the vascular, bone, metabolic, and psychological factors of the body.

Additionally, RA can cause further complications like cardiac issues, pulmonary diseases, and renal damage.

Symptoms of RA –

• Joint pain and stiffness
• Inflammation of the joint
• Weight and appetite loss
• Fever and sweating

The immune system of RA patients attacks its own protective joint layers. Moreover, people with higher variations of genetic factors such as human leukocyte antigen have more probability of developing this condition.

Causes of RA –

• Individuals of any age can suffer from RA
• Women suffer from rheumatoid arthritis more than man
• Smoking increases the risk of RA
• Overweight people have higher chances of suffering from RA

What is Lung Fibrosis?

Lung fibrosis is a chronic disease of the lungs or the pulmonary tracts. It falls under the bracket of COPD and reduces your breathing abilities. The respiratory tract cells and tissues are collaterally damaged. The tissues thicken over time and limit the functions of the heart.

More than 200,000 US citizens live with lung fibrosis and it is one of the leading causes of mortality rate.

This condition is more prevalent in men than women and affects people within the age group of 50-70 years.

Signs of lung fibrosis –

• Short breath during activities
• Dry and persistent cough
• Weight loss and tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Clubbing of feet
• Joint and muscle pain

Causes of lung fibrosis –

• Radiation treatment
• Exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins
• Prevalent autoimmune diseases
• Affinity to inflammation
• Smoking
• Genetics
• Age

What is COPD?

COPD causes inflammation in the lungs, blocks the respiratory tracts, and causes a wide range of pulmonary sub-diseases like asthma and bronchitis.

Inflammation in the air tracts or the respiratory passage blocks the free flow of air and oxygen to the lungs. This causes suffocation. The air sacs in the lungs that help to breathe in and out are also damaged due to COPD.

It eliminates the elastic abilities of the air sacs and leads to long-term breathing problems.

Signs of COPD are –

• Running out of breath
• Wheezing sounds while breathing
• Congestion in the chest
• Too much mucus secretion
• Recurrent cough
• Infections in the respiratory tracts
• Low energy levels
• Swelling of the feet
• Cyanosis or bluish lips

Leading COPD causes –

• Inflamed and thickened airway walls
• Lost elasticity of the air sacs in the lungs
• Damage to the air sac walls
• More mucus in the airway blocking airflow
• Air pollution and environmental toxins causing breathlessness

MSCs for COPD are self-healing treatments for the lungs and related tissues for improved air, oxygen, and blood circulation.

Importance of Embryonic Stem Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Reducing Inflammation

Mesenchymal stem cells are cultured from Wharton’s Jelly found in the umbilical cord of healthy newborn babies. These are tested and sourced in the laboratory and differentiated from human embryonic stem-cell derived-MSCs in vitro. It helps to regenerate T-cells rapidly and offers protection against cell infiltration.

Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) models have been tested with hESC-MSCs in an intravenous administration method to successfully reduce inflammation conditions. Moreover, it improves the protection of T cells against infiltration and promotes activation. The CIA model is the most preferred model for treating humans with RA. This is a widely accepted model due to the local and immunological similarities of RA in humans.

Similarly, a bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model was treated with hESC-mesenchymal stromal cells in an intravenous (IV) approach. MSC treatment eliminates the root causes and underlying symptoms of lung fibrosis.

The therapeutic results of MSCs are undeniable, creating a new avenue for holistic and surgery-free treatment.

Apart from reducing inflammation, the regenerative and immunomodulatory properties of MSCs make it a popular choice for treating a wide range of diseases and injuries.

Benefits of Stem Cell Treatment

Mesenchymal stem cell treatment offers a wide range of benefits against inflammation and related symptoms. MSCs can reverse the effects of RA and lung fibrosis and provide long-term relief from the disastrous effects of these diseases. Results from clinical trials highlight significant development in the condition of patients suffering from inflammation related to RA and lung fibrosis. In a broader spectrum, let us explore the benefits of MSCs in reducing inflammation further –

• Increases regulatory T cells
• Decreases inflammatory Th1 cells
• Decreases pro-inflammatory cytokines like interferon, interleukin, and IL17
• Increases anti-inflammatory cytokines like growth factor-beta and interleukin 10
• Abundant supply of stem cells
• Eliminates the chances of cell rejection
• MSCs have high regenerative abilities compared to other types of stem cells
• Rapid repair and quick results
• Toxin-free MSCs
• Minimally-invasive technique compared to painful surgeries
• Regeneration of lung tissues and blood vessels to clear the air pathway for free breathing
• Stem cells can split into protective membranes and connective tissues
• Removes carbon dioxide and circulates oxygen in the air tracts

Understanding Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of respiratory diseases that results in lung inflammation and narrowing of the airways. COPD encompasses debilitating conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis that damage the lung tissues and cause difficulty breathing.

While traditional treatments focus on managing symptoms by slowing disease progression, the damage to the lungs is irreversible, and it can recur in the future, limiting the patient’s ability to do simple daily tasks. Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, chronic cough with phlegm, breathing problems, tiredness, wheezing, pressure in the chest, frequent respiratory infections, and fatigue.

Cigarette smoking is the prime cause of COPD, as 70% of COPD cases in high-income countries are due to excessive smoking. Other than this, long-term exposure to toxic pollutants like chemical fumes, air irritants, and specks of dust also contribute to the development of COPD in patients.

Read Also: Stem Cell Basics: What They Are And How Do They Work

The Emergence of Stem Cell Therapy For COPD Management

Preclinical studies and research suggest that stem cell therapy can alleviate the symptoms and manage COPD. Mesenchymal stem cells’ anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties can help repair inflamed lung tissues and restore lung function. Further, their regenerative capabilities can self-renew and regrow healthy tissue to interact with the host environment, accelerating the healing response.

Stem cells are undifferentiated immature cells found in the human body that have the power to develop and multiply into any cell type. Clinics use these cells to prepare stem cell injections to treat various health conditions, from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), to cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and orthopedic injuries. In the context of COPD, the stem cells administered into the patient’s body differentiate into lung-specific cells, such as alveolar and bronchial cells, to promote tissue regeneration.

How Mesenchymal Stem Cells Address Tissue Repair and Regeneration

Stem cells exert their therapeutic effects in COPD management through different mechanisms, from paracrine signaling to immunomodulation and anti-inflammation to tissue regeneration. This multifaceted approach to treating respiratory diseases eliminates the pathological processes and promotes lung repair.

• Paracrine Signaling – The newly infused stem cells release signaling molecules and bioactive factors, such as cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles. These paracrine factors affect the surrounding cells in the damaged tissue and promote regenerative processes.
• Immunomodulation – MSCs have immunomodulatory properties that suppress the excessive growth and activation of immune cells that contribute to lung inflammation. The stem cells play a vital role in shifting the immune response from pro-inflammatory immune cells to anti-inflammatory agents, promoting the proliferation of regulatory T cells (White blood cells that control immune response).
• Anti-inflammatory effects – Stem cells directly secrete anti-inflammatory molecules such as TGF – β and IL – 10 to counteract the inflammation and suppress the activity of immune cells and inflammatory mediators.
• Tissue regeneration – The stem cells differentiate into lung cell types, such as endothelial, epithelial, bronchial, and alveolar cells, which replace or repair the diseased cells and contribute to tissue regeneration for functional recovery.

In summary, stem cells’ therapeutic effects directly dampen inflammation of lung tissues, prevent further damage, and simultaneously create a favorable host environment for healthy and faster tissue repair and regeneration. Once they reach the damaged area in the lungs, they trigger cell-to-cell interaction with the neighboring cells and the extracellular matrix to activate the secretion of paracrine factors.

Scientists believe this multifaceted mechanism of stem cells is effective in cell proliferation and differentiation, modulating immune system behavior, and stimulating angiogenesis. However, more research and knowledge are necessary to understand the dynamic connection between stem cells and the host environment in lung tissue repair and regeneration.

Improvements Observed in Patients After Stem Cell Therapy

The patients receiving stem cells for COPD have reported significant improvements in their symptoms and enhanced quality of life. They have experienced reduced difficulty in breathing, improved lung capacity, and relieved symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath. Stem cell therapy for COPD suppresses inflammation in the lung tissues, improves permeability, and reduces oxidative stress. Patients also experience a regain in their exercising ability, increased strength in muscles and bones, better weight control, and decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Future Perspectives Stem Cells in COPD Treatment

Continued research and clinical trials on stem cells for COPD management pave the way for more advanced therapies, addressing all the significant challenges and optimizing their effectiveness. The future of stem cells holds great promise, and ongoing exploration of its advancements is expected to shape the future of COPD treatment.

One of the emerging trends in the field is advanced cell engineering, which boosts the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells. Researchers aim to modify stem cell properties through gene editing and manipulation and optimize their regenerative capabilities, tailoring them to the precise needs of COPD patients and reprogramming stem cells to make them patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells, offering the possibility of personalized stem cell treatments.

Read Also: Stem Cell Treatment: Recent Advancements And New Applications