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