Stem cell therapy is showing promise as a potential treatment for some chronic inflammatory lung diseases, a European conference has heard.
Researchers say their work, involving laboratory mice, may have applications for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis.
The work on mesenchymal stem cell therapy was reported to the lung science conference of the European Respiratory Society at Estoril, Portugal.
The mice have been bred to over-express the b-ENaC protein. Intravenously delivered stem cells led to inflammation being significantly reduced in comparison with a control group, according to researchers from Queens University, Belfast.
There were also significant improvements in lung structure, they report.
Researcher Dr Declan Doherty said: “These preliminary findings demonstrate the potential effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cell treatment as a means of repairing the damage caused by chronic lung diseases such as COPD.
"The ability to counteract inflammation in the lungs by utilising the combined anti-inflammatory and reparative properties of mesenchymal stem cells could potentially reduce the inflammatory response in individuals with chronic lung disease whilst also restoring lung function in these patients."
Professor Rachel Chambers, from the European Respiratory Society, said the work was at an early stage in translation to human disease.
She said: "Although further research is needed to improve our understanding of how mesenchymal stem cells repair this damage, these findings suggest a promising role for mesenchymal stem cell therapy in treating patients with chronic lung disease."
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