Mesenchymal stem cells for cystic fibrosis

The aim of this study is to determine whether adult bone marrow-derived cells containing normal cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein (CFTR) can repopulate lung epithelium in CFTR-deficient mice. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or total marrow of wild-type mice were transplanted into adult CFTR-knockout mice. To increase marrow cell recruitment, naphthalene was used prior to cell treatment, to induce airway epithelial injury in recipient mice. However, only a limited number of chimeric epithelial cells were engrafted to the airway epithelium 1 week to 3 months following cell treatment.