Umbilical Cord Stem Cells Hold Potential in Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment

Pulmonary Fibrosis is a life-threatening condition often caused by scarring of the lungs. It may also lead to various other dangerous health complications, such as lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, pneumothorax, and respiratory failure. Meanwhile, the latest studies suggest that umbilical cord stem cells play a key role in pulmonary fibrosis treatment. Let’s learn how!

An Overview of Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary Fibrosis is a type of interstitial lung disease characterized by chronic inflammation owing to persistent lung damage. This stiff, thickened tissue makes it harder for the lungs to work properly. Pulmonary fibrosis worsens over time as individuals become more and more short of breath. A few people may stay stable for a long time, but the condition gets worse faster in others.

Symptoms of Pulmonary Fibrosis

• Shortness of breath

• Dry, persistent cough

• Fatigue or weakness

• Chest discomfort or pain

• Unexplained weight loss

• Clubbing (widening and rounding) of fingertips or toes

• Difficulty in performing physical activities

Possible Treatments for Pulmonary Fibrosis

• Medications to slow lung scarring (e.g., antifibrotic drugs)

• Oxygen therapy to ease breathing

• Pulmonary rehabilitation for improved lung function

• Lung transplantation in severe cases

• Stem cell therapy (under research and clinical trials)

• Symptom management with supportive care

Pulmonary fibrosis usually occurs in middle-aged and older adults. However, it may also be diagnosed in infants and children in certain cases. The lung damage caused by this condition cannot be repaired. However, certain medications and therapies can help slow down the rate of fibrosis and ease symptoms.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), including those derived from the umbilical cord blood stem cells, and placenta (PLMSCs), have been leveraged in several clinical trials for fibrosis treatment. However, the potential therapeutic effectiveness of this stem cell treatment remains unclear.

Research on Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Therapy

Researchers have found that the lung scarring related to pulmonary fibrosis happens because of excessive formation of extracellular matrix components, such as collagen.

Hence, they decided to test the capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat the condition because they have proven anti-fibrotic properties. They believe that MSCs work in this manner because they produce tiny particles called extracellular vesicles. These vesicles are crucial because they alter cell functions in a positive way.

The research team was able to derive extracellular vesicles from MSCs extracted through umbilical cord preservation to target the TGF-beta signaling pathway and block lung fibrosis. This treatment was tested in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis.

It was found that the umbilical cord-derived MSCs produced cells with better differentiation and proliferation abilities compared to the ones derived from other sources.

Do Cord Blood Stem Cells Help with the Treatment?

The latest research results on cord blood stem cells prove that they may have a bigger role to play in fibrosis treatment. MSCs are usually extracted from the adult bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, placenta, or the adipose tissue.

However, the differentiation or proliferation potential of MSCs decreases with an increase in the donor’s age, limiting their applications. Umbilical cord-derived MSCs have higher cell differentiation abilities and are preferred for transplantation in this regard.

These findings make researchers believe that umbilical cord blood preservation may play a key role in treating this pulmonary fibrosis in the future.

Other Benefits of Stem Cell Banking

Stem cell banking is the process of preserving umbilical cord blood stem cells for future medical treatment purposes. Healthcare providers have been already leveraging these cells for treating several other conditions like immune disorders or lung cancer. Hence, there is a high chance that they may also prove to be fruitful in treating pulmonary fibrosis.

If you’re pregnant or planning your pregnancy, it's high time for you to choose stem cell banking for your child’s future health. If you’re still confused about your choices, speak to our experts at Cryoviva, the best platform in India for stem cell services.