Hepatocyte Growth Factor Gene-Modified Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reduce Radiation-Induced Lung Injury

Effective therapeutic strategies for radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) are lacking. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as gene therapy delivery vehicles, possess the ability to repair injured lung. In this study, we conducted MSC-based hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene therapy for RILI. Mice received single-dose radiation with 20 Gy of gamma rays locally to the lung, and then were administered normal sodium, Ad-HGF-modified MSCs, or Ad-Null-modified MSCs. Ad-HGF-modified MSCs (MSCs-HGF) improved histopathological and biochemical markers of lung injury. MSCs-HGF could reduce secretion and expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-6, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and increase the expression of antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10. It could also decrease expression levels of profibrosis factors transforming growth factor-beta, Col1a1 (collagen type 1, alpha 1), and Col3a1, and inhibit fibrosis progress. MSCs-HGF could promote proliferation of lung epithelial cells and protect them from apoptosis, and improve the expression of endogenous HGF and its receptor c-Met significantly. We also found that sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-1 expression was increased in injured lung. These results suggest MSC-based HGF gene therapy not only reduces inflammation but also inhibits lung fibrosis.