Endothelial Colony Forming Cells: Role in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and evaluation of new therapeutic strategies
Date
Institution
Degree Level
Degree
Department
Supervisor / Co-Supervisor and Their Department(s)
Examining Committee Member(s) and Their Department(s)
Citation for Previous Publication
Link to Related Item
Abstract
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease of prematurity, results in alveolar simplification and respiratory distress in the newborn. Vascular component is implicated. Lung damage involves a deficiency in the number and function of progenitor cells. We hypothesize that endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) exist in the developing human lung, are impaired in hyperoxia and secrete exosomes. ECFCs from human fetal lung expressed CD31, CD105, CD144, CD146 and were negative for CD14 and CD45. In hyperoxic conditions, cord formation and clonogenic potential was impaired. Mesenchymal stem cell conditioned media (MSC CdM) improved clonogenic potential. Exosomes were isolated from human cord blood derived ECFC CdM and characterized using electron microscopy and protein expression. This study provides novel finding that ECFCs exist in human fetal lung and their function is impaired in hyperoxia. They may exert their effect by exosomes. This provides a rationale for use of exogenous stem cells in BPD.