Effects of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells on respiratory system mechanics in a murine model of neonatal lung injury

ABSTRACTBackground: Mononuclear cells (MNCs) have well-documented beneficial effects in a wide range of adult pulmonary diseases. The effects of human umbilical cord blood-derived MNCs on neonatal lung injury, highly relevant for potential autologous application in preterm newborns at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), remain incompletely established. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term morphologic and functional effects of systemically delivered MNCs in a murine model of neonatal lung injury. Materials and Methods: MNCs from cryopreserved cord blood (1 × 106 cells per pup) were given intravenously to newborn mice exposed to 90% O2 from birth; controls received cord blood total nucleated cells (TNCs) or granular cells, or equal volume vehicle buffer (sham controls). In order to avoid immune rejection, we used SCID mice as recipients. Lung mechanics (flexiVent™), engraftment, growth, and alveolarization were evaluated eight weeks postinfusion. Results: Systemic MNC administration t...