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

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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.

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What is Lung Disease or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of lung disorders that inhibit the lung’s functional abilities, resulting in shortness of breath, coughing, and fatigue. COPD damages the airways or other specific regions in the lungs, blocking airflow and causing difficulty breathing.

In people with COPD, the lungs get clogged and damaged due to increased mucus formation in the airways and inflammation in the bronchi walls. Experts believe excessive smoking and long-term exposure to pollutants and airborne irritants are two primary reasons for COPD.

Role of Stem Cell Therapy for Lung Diseases

Lung disease, or COPD, is a prevalent health issue with a rapid rise in cases in the post-pandemic era. Currently, there is no definitive cure for lung diseases; however, with healthy habits like quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and maintaining a proper diet, one can manage the symptoms of COPD.

Multiple studies on stem cells have recently demonstrated their effectiveness in reducing lung inflammation and improving its functional capacity to breathe air in and out. Stem cell administration in the infected lung prevents further damage to lung cells and promotes the growth of healthy cells to replace the damaged cells.

Where do stem cells for lung treatment come from?

The adult human body is a rich source of stem cells as they exist in various organs and tissues such as bone marrow, adipose or fat tissue, liver, skin, and even teeth. Apart from adult stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the human umbilical cord tissue are another great source of pluripotent stem cells.

Clinicians are studying stem cells’ therapeutic potential in treating COPD, primarily focusing on human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUCT-MSCs) because of their abundance of supply and ease of collection.

HUCT-MSCs are ideal for stem cell therapy for COPD because these are pluripotent cells, meaning they can turn into any cell type and regrow cells to heal the diseased area. They can transform into lung, heart, nerve, blood, bone, skin, and cartilage cells.

Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for COPD

The path for choosing cell-based therapy has become more desirable for patients with COPD and other chronic lung diseases because existing treatment protocols are expensive and complicated, such as lung transplant or ventilation.

On the contrary, stem cell treatment is a less invasive and cost-effective solution, making it a preferable alternative for patients. The therapeutic benefits that cellular therapies for lung diseases offer are discussed below:

• Reduces inflammation – The stem cells are rich in anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce the inflamed bronchi walls and clear the airways for breathing.
• Immune system regulation – HUCT-MSCs heal damaged lung tissues by modulating immune responses and preparing a healthy environment for tissue repair and regeneration.
• Promotes angiogenesis – The new stem cells that enter your body through the therapy promote the growth of new blood vessels, which better transport oxygen to and from the lungs to the circulatory system.
• Improves breathing – Stem cells differentiate into lung cells and multiply to develop connective tissues and membranes forming the air sac lining. Healthy air sacs support healthy breathing by efficiently circulating oxygen and removing carbon dioxide while breathing out.

Besides, stem cell therapies aim to provide long-lasting outcomes, and patients can see a sooner reduction in their primary symptoms, such as lung inflammation and shortness of breath. However, the body can take three to six months to achieve peak improvement post-therapy.

Cautions on Stem Cell Therapy for Lung Disease

Despite the promising potential of regenerative medicine for lung diseases, several risks still exist. Firstly, in cases where stem cells are collected from a patient’s body, it carries a risk of reintroducing diseased or damaged cells. Secondly, if cells are taken from a donor, there is no guarantee that the patient’s body will accept the cells. There is always a chance of cell rejection. The donor must undergo several blood examinations and HLA matching to ensure genetic compatibility. Still, no 100% matching is guaranteed.

The best way to avoid such risks is to get stem cell therapy from centers that utilize human umbilical cord tissue-derived stem cells. These cells are isolated from the cord blood following healthy births and have high proliferation capabilities and differentiation potential.

Current Status and Future of Stem Cells for Lung Diseases

Several research studies examine stem cell treatments for lung problems and chronic disorders. Among the multiple areas of studies, the most promising topic focuses on the efficacy of stem cells in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis.

In COPD, stem cell therapy using umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells is safe and reliable. It improves lung function, reduces inflammation, and slows disease progression. Studies have also found that cell-based therapy enhances the quality of life for COPD patients.

Various clinical research is studying new ways to understand how lungs work and how to treat lung diseases. Scientists are especially interested in cells called endothelial progenitor cells and mesenchymal stem cells. They’re testing these cells in clinical trials for conditions like pulmonary hypertension and COPD, and they’re planning more studies to learn even more.