Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) may provide crucial support in the regeneration of destructed alveolar tissue (
emphysema) in
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (
COPD). We hypothesized that lung-derived MSCs (LMSCs) from patients with
emphysema are hampered in their repair capacity, either intrinsically or due to their interaction with the damaged microenvironment. LMSCs were isolated from the lung tissue of controls and patients with severe
emphysema and characterized at baseline. In addition, LMSCs were seeded onto control and emphysematous decellularized lung
tissue scaffolds and assessed for deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). We observed no differences in surface
markers, differentiation/proliferation potential, and expression of ECM genes between control- and
COPD-derived LMSCs. Notably,
COPD-derived LMSCs displayed lower expression of FGF10 and HGF
messenger RNA (
mRNA) and
hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and
decorin protein. When seeded on control decellularized lung
tissue scaffolds, control- and
COPD-derived LMSCs showed no differences in engraftment, proliferation, or survival within 2 wk, with similar ability to deposit new matrix on the scaffolds. Moreover, LMSC numbers and the ability to deposit new matrix were not compromised on emphysematous scaffolds. Collectively, our data show that LMSCs from patients with
COPD compared with controls show less expression of FGF10
mRNA, HGF
mRNA and
protein, and
decorin protein, whereas other features including the
mRNA expression of various ECM molecules are unaffected. Furthermore,
COPD-derived LMSCs are capable of engraftment, proliferation, and functioning on native lung
tissue scaffolds. The damaged, emphysematous microenvironment as such does not hamper the potential of LMSCs. Thus, specific intrinsic deficiencies in
growth factor production by diseased LMSCs may contribute to impaired alveolar repair in
emphysema.