Role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in the development of PQ‑induced pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract

Paraquat (PQ) poisoning-induced pulmonary fibrosis is one of the primary causes of mortality in patients with PQ poisoning. The potential mechanism of PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis was thought to be mediated by inflammation. Recently, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been considered as a potential strategy for the treatment of fibrotic disease due to their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. In the present study, an increased accumulation of BMSCs in a mouse model of PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis following their transplantation, markedly improving the survival rate of mice with PQ poisoning. In addition, the results indicated that BMSC transplantation may inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 in the lung tissues of PQ-poisoned mice, and ultimately attenuate the pulmonary fibrosis. In vitro, BMSCs may suppress PQ-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and protect pulmonary epithelial cells from PQ-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that BMSC transplantation may be a promising treatment for pulmonary fibrosis induced by PQ poisoning.

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy in pulmonary fibrosis: a meta-analysis of preclinical studies

“…In recent years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have received increasing attention in the field of regenerative applications, because of multi-lineage differentiation potential, migratory ability, and self-renewal properties [ 10 , 11 ]. MSCs are derived from a variety of organs and tissues, such as the bone marrow and adipose tissues, and can home to the sites of injury.…”

“…Several studies suggested that MSCs have the capacity to suppress inflammation, reduce fibrosis, and prolong the survival time for preclinical models of PF, which was induced by bleomycin, silica, paraquat (PQ), and radiation [ 10 , 19 – 24 ]. However, the design projects, including MSC dose, type, route, source, and time interval, in each research are so different that the final therapeutic effect is difficult to evaluate.…”

Effects of Juice and Seed Extract of Pomegranate on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Phosphorylation of Erk1/2 in Paraquat-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice

“…The herbicide, PQ was reported to exhibit an elevated toxic impact on pulmonary tissues with the attributed mortality rate in human due to lung fibrosis [29] . Hydroxyproline content elevated significantly in the current study following PQ injection.…”

“…It was documented that the etiology for lung fibrosis was ascribed with inflammation and that various cytokine secretions were associated with induced pulmonary injury [29] . The present study revealed that the levels of CCL2, IL-6, TGF-β1, and IL-17 elevated significantly following PQ treatment.…”

“…TGF-β1 is one of the inflammatory cytokines that also increased upon PQ treatment. It is well established that IL-6 and TGF-β1 are among the inflammatory cytokines that were associated with the propagation of lung fibrosis [15,29] . TGF-β1 is the prototype of a family of secreted growth factors with the varied ability of cell modulating processes such as apoptosis, cell migration, differentiation, and extracellular matrix secretion [15,41] .…”