Adult stem cells from bone marrow stroma differentiate into airway epithelial cells: potential therapy for cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), the most prevalent, fatal genetic disorder in the Caucasian population, is caused by mutations of CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). The mutations of this chloride channel alter the transport of chloride and associated liquid and thereby impair lung defenses. Patients typically succumb to chronic bacterial infections and respiratory failure. Restoration of the abnormal CFTR function to CF airway epithelium is considered the most direct way to treat the disease. In this report, we explore the potential of adult stem cells from bone marrow, referred to as mesenchymal or marrow stromal stem cells (MSCs), to provide a therapy for CF. We found that MSCs possess the capacity of differentiating into airway epithelia. MSCs from CF patients are amenable to CFTR gene correction, and expression of CFTR does not influence the pluripotency of MSCs. Moreover, the CFTR-corrected MSCs from CF patients are able to contribute to apical Cl(-) secretion in response to cAMP agonist stimulation, suggesting the possibility of developing cell-based therapy for CF. The ex vivo coculture system established in this report offers an invaluable approach for selection of stem-cell populations that may have greater potency in lung differentiation.     

EMBOLISM OF FETAL BRAIN TISSUE TO THE LUNGS AND THE PLACENTA

We describe a case of a 19-year-old G1P0 woman with an unremarkable prenatal course who presented at term in labor. Fetal bradycardia developed and forceps were used to deliver a male infant, who was born with Apgar scores of 0 and 0 and could not be resuscitated. Examination at autopsy revealed no gross evidence of trauma, but on microscopic examination of the lungs and the placenta, multiple fetal vessels contained emboli consisting of fragments of fetal cerebellar cortex. Previously reported cases of this rare phenomenon are reviewed and the pathogenesis is discussed.     

Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy for Peripheral Pulmonary Lesions: One-Year Results of the Prospective,Multicenter NAVIGATE Study

Introduction

Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) is a minimally invasive technology that guides endoscopic tools to pulmonary lesions. ENB has been evaluated primarily in small, single-center studies; thus, the diagnostic yield in a generalizable setting is unknown.