Pneumonia is still a common disease accounting for 5% of deaths in Ireland. Bacterial pneumonia is the most common cause of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). There currently remains no specific therapy for ALI/ARDS. Studies carried out by the proposed host and other research groups have very recently shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are multiponent adult human stem cells found in the bone marrow, have the ability to reduce mortality and bacterial sepsis in animal infection models in part by enhancing the human immune response. However, the potential therapeutic value of cell-based patient therapy with MSCs remains undefined which is attributed in part to a dearth in critical knowledge underpinning the complex mechanisms responsible for these beneficial effects in vivo. A complicating factor is that the traditional production protocols for MSCs are not suitable for a rapid onset disease like ALI/ARDS, and therapeutic options will be limited to a readily available cryofrozen sourced. The aim of this project is to evaluate, in a series of tissue culture based experiments, the properties of MSCs in relevant cell types involved in the pathology and restitution of bacterial pneumonia. Specifically, MSCs produced from the Centre for Cell Manufacturing Ireland (NUI Galway) will be examined for anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activity and compared to those produced by the traditional “fresh harvest” research protocols. This project will build towards a complete assessment of a regulatory approved and clinically relevant potential cell therapeutic for ALI/ARDS.
