Pulmonary fibrosis: Is stem cell therapy the way forward?

Abstract

Pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic and fatal lung disease affecting millions of people worldwide, is characterized by the scarring of lung tissue, thereby impairing oxygen exchange between the lungs and blood. The etiology of pulmonary fibrosis is multifactorial, involving environmental exposures, comorbidities, and genetic mutations. Current pharmacological treatments can only slow the disease progression, and lung transplantation is limited by donor availability and complications. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a potential alternative treatment for pulmonary fibrosis, in which stem cells modulate the inflammatory response, differentiate into lung epithelial cells, secrete growth factors and extracellular matrix components, and enhance vascularization and tissue regeneration. Various sources of stem cells, such as endogenous lung stem cells, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells, have been investigated in animal models and human trials. Various delivery routes, such as intravenous injection, intratracheal instillation, and inhalation, have been tested for safety and efficacy. However, several challenges and limitations remain to be overcome, such as high costs, ethical issues, immunological compatibility, cell survival and homing, and long-term outcomes. Further research is needed to optimize the protocols and parameters in stem cell therapy for pulmonary fibrosis, and to evaluate the clinical benefits and risks for patients.