Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred. This thickened, stiff tissue makes it more difficult for your lungs to work properly. As pulmonary fibrosis worsens, you become progressively more short of breath.

The scarring associated with pulmonary fibrosis can be caused by a multitude of factors. But in most cases, doctors can't pinpoint what's causing the problem. When a cause can't be found, the condition is termed idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

The lung damage caused by pulmonary fibrosis can't be repaired, but medications and therapies can sometimes help ease symptoms and improve quality of life. For some people, a lung transplant might be appropriate.

Signs and symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis include:

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• A dry cough
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Aching muscles and joints

The course of pulmonary fibrosis and the severity of symptoms  can vary considerably from person to person.

Some people become ill very quickly with severe disease. Others have moderate symptoms that worsen more slowly, over months or years.

• Risk factors
• Age.
• Smoking.
• occupation. 
• Cancer treatments.
• Genetic factors

COMPLICATIONS

• Complications of pulmonary fibrosis may include:
• High blood pressure in your lungs (pulmonary hypertension).
• Right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale).
• Respiratory failure.
• Lung cancer.

Pulmonary Fibrosis and Treatment with Stem Cells

Currently available therapeutic approaches offer little clinical benefit. It has recently been suggested that injury to the lining cells of the lung (epithelial cells) may contribute by releasing substances (mediators) that stimulate fibroblasts to increase in number leading to scarring.

In turn, fibroblasts may release mediators that can lead to epithelial cell death preventing normal repair.

Studies in animals have demonstrated that administration of a particular type of stem cell derived from adult bone marrow known as a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) can improve outcome from a number of types of lung injury and prevent subsequent scarring.

The mechanisms responsible for the helpful effects of MSC are not well understood and may include changes in the immune system and secretion of mediators that prevent epithelial cells from dying, This may tip the balance in favor of repair of lung damage and resolution of the injury.

Experimental studies as well as clinical trials of MSC in several non-pulmonary diseases have already shown beneficial effects. Given that MSC appear to be the most immediate available opportunity for stem cell-based therapy of lung disease, the overall goal of this proposal is to assemble a Disease Team to plan a proposal for use of MSC as a therapeutic tool for IPF.

A team will be assembled with expertise in several areas including expertise in growing MSC and animal models of lung injury, preparation of products of sufficiently good quality for administration to humans, obtaining approval of new products through the Food and Drug Administration and clinical trials in patients.

The stem cells are extracted from adipose (fat) tissue,or bone marrow depending on the patient’s current condition and health history.

Adult stem cells have the capacity to form many types of differentiated cells, so when the stem cells are returned to the patient, they will target the damaged tissue, which leads to improved lung function in patients with a chronic lung disease. Our minimally invasive, outpatient stem cell procedures are changing lives by helping patients breathe easier.

In treatment of pulmonary conditions, autologous stem cells are stimulated to increase in numbers by natural growth factors. Once the desired volume of stem cells are available, they are extracted from the patient’s own blood, adipose tissue or bone marrow. The stem cells are then washed, isolated and returned to the patient intravenously or through the use of a nebulizer. Once the cells are returned to the patient, they will begin to regenerate new lung tissue. Since stem cells can continually replicate, the lungs will progressively grow stronger