Progress in the treatment of radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis with mesenchymal stem cells / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

ABSTRACT

Radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF) is a common complication of thoracic tumor radiotherapy. The main manifestation of radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis is chronic progressive consolidation of pulmonary interstitium, which may cause the lung physiology function reduced or even lost. Furthermore, it can be lethal forrespiratory failure in severe cases. Recent studies have found that mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) play an important role in the modulation of proliferation and the activation of immune cells in lung inflammation. In addition, MSC can also play a part in the treatment of RIPF by differentiating into functional cells and secreting cytokines. Therefore, MSC has a good application prospect in RIPF as a cell therapy method. This article reviews the molecular mechanisms, influencing factors and current status of MSC therapy in RIPF.