Severity of pulmonary fibrosis
Irreversible idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, also known as "cabbage spreading lung", refers to the hardening and thickening of human alveoli, which makes the lungs lose their oxygen exchange ability. In patients with pulmonary fibrosis, there are many fibrosis or sclerosis in the whole lung tissue, and the air in the lung is very small. Studies have shown that the average survival time of cabbage spot lung is about 2 to 5 years, and the 5-year survival rate is lower than that of lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer and bladder cancer.
Traditional methods for treating pulmonary fibrosis
The lungs of patients with pulmonary fibrosis are seriously affected, and they usually receive anti-influenza vaccines, such as pneumonia vaccine. Protect the lungs from virus infection and aggravate the condition, and cooperate with oxygen therapy and lung function rehabilitation training. Steroids and immunosuppressants are usually used to treat or delay the deterioration of bad mood. If the patient's lung injury is too serious, the only way is lung transplantation.
Stem cell transplantation makes pulmonary fibrosis mice grow human alveoli.
The research team of Tongji University in Chinese mainland cultivated lung stem cells from bronchi of patients with lung diseases, and then transplanted these stem cells into the lungs of mice with pulmonary fibrosis. Three weeks later, it was found that the damaged area of mouse lung was replaced by new human alveoli and lung tissue, and the mouse lung was "regenerated".
Stem cells help patients with pulmonary fibrosis grow new lungs
The success of animal experiments has enabled the world's first clinical human trial of lung stem cell regeneration to start; The research team further transplanted lung stem cells for patients with pulmonary fibrosis. After three to six months of proliferation and differentiation, stem cells gradually formed new alveolar and bronchial structures.
Mr. Zhou, 67, was the first patient to receive lung stem cell transplantation. He was previously treated for chest tightness and dyspnea, and was later diagnosed as pulmonary fibrosis by doctors. From 2065438 to May 2007, after his lung stem cell transplantation, new alveoli and bronchi grew out of the damaged lung. He used to feel short of breath after breathing for 3~4 seconds, but now he can hold his breath for about 15 seconds, and his lung function has been greatly improved.
The treatment of pulmonary fibrosis is a global medical problem. The treatment methods of several cells to help patients with pulmonary fibrosis regenerate lung tissue can be popularized, which is believed to improve the 5-year survival rate of patients and benefit the public.