An evaluation of conditioned media from different cell lineages on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis

Background Our previous data has shown that cells derived from human amnion or chorion, even after low engraftment numbers, or conditioned medium from human amniotic mesenchymal cells (AMTCs) are able to reduce lung fibrosis induced in mice by bleomycin. Altogether these data suggest the action of paracrine factors secreted by these cells. Objective This study was aimed at comparing the effect of CM derived from AMTCs and other cell lineages. Methods Bleomycin-challenged mice were intra-thoracically treated with conditioned media generated from the cultures of different cell types: AMTCs, human skin fibroblasts, human peripheral blood monocytes and human T leukemia cells (Jurkat). Lung fibrosis was evaluated by a microscopic scoring system and by spectrophotometric determination of lung collagen content. Results Fourteen and 28 days after treatment with CM derived from AMTCs a significant reduction in lung fibrosis was seen in comparison to mice treated with CM from other cells. Interestingly, a better preservation of emogas parameters was also shown in this group. Conclusion These results provide evidence that CM derived from AMTCs, as opposed to CM from other cell types, possesses anti-fibrotic effects in a bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis mouse model.