Autologous transplantation of P63+ lung progenitor cells for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease therapy

ABSTRACT: Adult lung resident stem/progenitor cells, including P63+ progenitor cells, have demonstrated the capacity for regeneration of lung epithelium in precinical models. Here we report a clinical trial of intra-pulmonary P63+ progenitor cell transplantation which included 28 participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (stage II~IV). For control group, standard of care (SOC) for COPD treatment was given. For intervention group, in addition to SOC, autologous P63+ progenitor cells were isolated from the airway basal layer via bronchoscopic brushing, cultured for 3~5 weeks, and then transplanted into the lungs via bronchoscopy with 0.7-5.2x10^6 cells per kilogram bodyweight. Eventually 20 patients were evaluated (intervention group n=17; control group n=3). No grade 3~5 adverse events (AE) or serious adverse events occurred in any group. Bronchoscopy-associated AEs were recorded only in intervention groups, while the other AEs were recorded in both groups without showing significant difference. Participants in intervention group displayed significant improvement in diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (change from baseline, 24 weeks: +18.2%), showing significant difference comparing to control group (change from baseline, 24 weeks: -17.4%)(p-value=0.008). Furthermore, more participants in intervention group showed > 30 m increase in walking distance within 6 minutes, demonstrating significant difference comparing to control group (p-value=0.036). Transcriptomic analysis of cells isolated from responding and non-responding individuals in the intervention group showed that higher expression of P63 and Nkx homeobox-1 was associated with better efficacy. In conclusion, transplantation of cultured P63+ lung progenitor cells was safe and represented a potential treatment strategy for COPD.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE236438 | GEO | 2024/01/20

REPOSITORIES: GEO