Conclusions
The findings demonstrated that functional lung structure could be reconstituted by intrapulmonary transplantation of DASCs, suggesting a potential therapeutic role of DASCs transplantation in treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Methods
Mouse and human DASCs were expanded, analysed, and engrafted into injured mouse lungs. Single-cell analyses were performed to reveal the differentiation path of the engrafted cells. Finally, human DASCs were transplanted into COPD mice induced by porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration.
Results
We showed that isolated mouse and human DASCs could be indefinitely expanded and were able to further differentiate into mature alveolar structures in vitro. Single-cell analysis indicated that the engrafted cells expressed typical cellular markers of type I alveolar cells as well as the specific secreted proteins. Interestingly, transplantation of human DASCs derived from COPD patients into the lungs of NOD-SCID mice with COPD injury repaired the tissue damage and improved the pulmonary function. Conclusions: The findings demonstrated that functional lung structure could be reconstituted by intrapulmonary transplantation of DASCs, suggesting a potential therapeutic role of DASCs transplantation in treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.