Serum from patients with asthma potentiates macrophage phagocytosis and human mesenchymal stromal cell therapy in experimental allergic asthma

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Although several studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) exhibit beneficial immunomodulatory properties in preclinical models of allergic asthma, effects on airway remodeling have been controversial. Recent evidence has shown that MSCs modify their in vivo immunomodulatory actions depending on the specific inflammatory environment encountered. Accordingly, we assessed whether the therapeutic properties of human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) could be potentiated by conditioning these cells with serum (hMSC-serum) obtained from patients with asthma and then transplanted in an experimental model of house dust mite (HDM)-induced allergic asthma.

METHODS

hMSC and hMSC-serum were administered intratracheally 24 h after the final HDM challenge. hMSC viability and inflammatory mediator production, lung mechanics and histology, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cellularity and biomarker levels, mitochondrial structure and function as well as macrophage polarization and phagocytic capacity were assessed.

RESULTS

Serum preconditioning led to: (i) increased hMSC apoptosis and expression of transforming growth factor-β, interleukin (IL)-10, tumor necrosis factor-α-stimulated gene 6 protein and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1; (ii) fission and reduction of the intrinsic respiratory capacity of mitochondria; and (iii) polarization of macrophages to M2 phenotype, which may be associated with a greater percentage of hMSCs phagocytosed by macrophages. Compared with mice receiving hMSCs, administration of hMSC-serum led to further reduction of collagen fiber content, eotaxin levels, total and differential cellularity and increased IL-10 levels in BALF, improving lung mechanics. hMSC-serum promoted greater M2 macrophage polarization as well as macrophage phagocytosis, mainly of apoptotic hMSCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum from patients with asthma led to a greater percentage of hMSCs phagocytosed by macrophages and triggered immunomodulatory responses, resulting in further reductions in both inflammation and remodeling compared with non-preconditioned hMSCs.

Inibidores de fosfodiesterases: novas perspectivas de uma antiga terapia na asma?

A asma é uma doença inflamatória crônica com níveis variados de obstrução ao fluxo aéreo e diferentes formas de apresentação. Seu tratamento vem sendo modificado com a evolução do conhecimento sobre sua patogenia. A inflamação das vias aéreas, que é modulada por determinantes genéticos e ambientais, resulta na alteração definitiva da arquitetura da via aérea (remodelamento). O padrão inflamatório da asma é de natureza multicelular, envolvendo mastócitos, neutrófilos, eosinófilos, linfócitos T, células musculares e epiteliais. Diversas citocinas e quimiocinas contribuem para a orquestração do processo inflamatório. O reconhecimento do papel crítico da inflamação, que está associada à gravidade da doença, vem direcionando o eixo do tratamento para a prevenção ou para o bloqueio das alterações inflamatórias. Nesse sentido, além dos agentes beta2-adrenérgicos, da teofilina e dos corticosteróides, novos fármacos vêm sendo estudados. Dentre eles, os inibidores específicos de fosfodiesterases vêm apresentando resultados promissores. A partir dos resultados obtidos com a segunda geração dessas substâncias, pode-se imaginar que, em breve, elas representarão uma nova opção para o tratamento da asma.