Recent Findings on Cell-Based Therapies for COVID19-Related Pulmonary Fibrosis

Abstract

COVID-19 has spread worldwide, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Italy, along with its site of origin in China, since 2020. The virus was first found in the Wuhan seafood market at the end of 2019, with a controversial source. The clinical symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and respiratory tract inflammation, with some severe patients developing an acute and chronic lung injury, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pulmonary fibrosis (PF). It has already claimed approximately 300 thousand human lives and the number is still on the rise; the only way to prevent the infection is to be safe till vaccines and reliable treatments develop. In previous studies, the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in clinical trials had been proven to be effective in immune modulation and tissue repair promotion; however, their efficacy in treating COVID-19 remains underestimated. Here, we report the findings from past experiences of SARS and MSCs, and how SARS could also induce PF. Such studies may help to understand the rationale for the recent cell-based therapies for COVID-19.

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“…COVID-19 is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by SARS-COV 2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus) that has become a global pandemic [1]. It has been A global pandemic has been triggered by a severe respiratory infection caused by a severe respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-COV-2) and named as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (CO-VID-19) [2]. COVID-19 is characterized by fever, cough, and irritation of the respiratory tract; some patients develop acute and chronic lung injuries, such as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF).…”

A Retrospective Look at Recent COVID-19 Articles Published in Cell Transplantation: Research Leading to Further Understanding

“…Several CT articles this past year proposed the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to treat COVID-19 infected patients 8 , 9 , 12 – 14 . MSC have several advantages as an immunomodulating therapy.…”

“…The speculation around the usefulness of MSC in treating COVID-19 may already be supported. MSC have been beneficial in animal models of ARDS and were used to treat patients suffering from influenza A (H7N9 infections) 9 , 12 , 14 . In critically ill COVID-19 patients who have failed to respond to all other treatments, MSC have been used almost as a last-ditch effort 7 , 11 , 12 .…”

Combination of mesenchymal stem cells and nicorandil: an emerging therapeutic challenge against COVID-19 infection-induced multiple organ dysfunction

“…Since MSCs are not infected by SARS-CoV-2 due to negative expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, MSCs and their byproducts may prevent capillary barrier damage, depletion of the alveolar ATP levels, and bacterial growth in the inflamed pulmonary tissue [1]. Moreover, MSCs may enhance the repair of the fibrotic lung by means of a variety of secreted trophic factors [2]. However, the clinical efficacy of stem cell therapy is limited by poor engraftment and low survival rate of MSCs in the injured tissues.…”

“…Therefore, different strategies have been tested to improve MSC survival and paracrine activity with conventional medications [3]. Although stem cells and drug combination therapy may also have synergistic effects in healing damaged lungs [2], selecting the right drug remains challenging.…”