Mesenchymal stem cells attenuate ischemia–reperfusion injury after prolonged cold ischemia in a mouse model of lung transplantation: a preliminary study

Purpose Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) suppress inflammation and immune responses. We conducted this study to find out if MSCs attenuate ischemia–reperfusion injury in a mouse model of lung transplantation. Methods C57BL/6J mouse lungs perfused with low-potassium dextran glucose solution were preserved at 4 °C for 18 h. Human MSCs were slowly injected into the left pulmonary artery of the lung grafts, and orthotopic left lung transplantation was then performed. The lung isografts were reperfused for 6 h, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from the left lung graft was collected. We measured the protein concentration, cell count, and proinflammatory cytokine concentrations in the BALF. Results The protein concentration and cell count in the BALF were significantly lower in the MSC-administered grafts than in the PBS-administered controls. Concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-17A, and TNF-α, in BALF tended to be lower in the MSC-administered grafts than in the controls, but the difference was not significant. Conclusion The pre-transplant administration of MSCs via the pulmonary artery of the lung graft attenuated ischemia–reperfusion injury after prolonged cold ischemia in this mouse model of lung transplantation.