Synergistic effect of human tubal mesenchymal stem cell (htMSCs) and low level laser (LLL) therapy significantly reduces experimental COPD in mice

Currently the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has a high prevalence and a high economic and social cost. In this context, several experimental models have been proposed, aiming at the discovery of new therapeutic approaches. Accordingly, the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is an innovative and accessible treatment of pulmonary acute and chronic disease. Therapy with low level laser (LLL) is a relatively new effective therapy, with very low cost and no side effects. In this project we aim to study some parameters in animals with COPD undergoing therapies with LLL (15 days before the experiment) and MSC obtained from human fallopian tube (htMSC, administered 2 times: 15 days and 7 days before the experiment). The protocol used for the induction of COPD consists in submitting C57BL/6 mice for 75 days (2 times / day) to inhaled cigarette smoke. On day 76th the animals were sacrified and structural and functional parameters of lungs were evaluated. Our results indicate that the treatment with LLL and htMSC greatly reduces lung inflammation (as demonstrated through BAL cell counting and histomorphometric analysis in lung parenchyma), BAL pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha and KC) and the lung expression of NF-KB, NFAT and IL-10. Furthermore, these therapies also reduced airway mucus secretion and collagen deposition, beyond to promote re-alveolization of lung parenchyma. Thus, the association of both therapies improves the main features of COPD, becoming a potential therapeutic strategy for lung disease treatment. Support Financial: UNINOVE, FAPESP e CNPq.