Therapeutic potential of murine bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in influenza virus-induced pneumonia

Influenza virus (IV) infects the human upper respiratory tract and occasionally spreads to the alveolar compartment causing primary pneumonia. This can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with severe alveolar damage, lung oedema and hypoxemia. Antiviral therapies are only effective in the very beginning of infection and specific treatment strategies for IV-induced ARDS are lacking. Recent studies have shown the anti-inflammatory and regenerative potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). MSC display a beneficial role in acute and chronic lung injury, suggesting that MSC delivery may be a promising…