Pig lungs were conventionally retrieved, cold preserved for 18 hours, and perfused normothermically ex vivo for 12 hours. Physiologic data were recorded. No cells were administered to a control group of animals (
Intravascular administration of 50 × 106 MSCs was associated with significant and sustained retention of MSCs in lung parenchyma, whereas intrabronchial administration was not. Intravascular administration of 150 × 106 MSCs was the optimal tolerated dose and was associated with increased concentrations of human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in lung biopsies and decreased concentrations of pig interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the perfusate during 12 hours of EVLP.
Intravascular delivery of 150 × 106 MSCs showed preferred outcome compared with intrabronchial delivery to damaged lungs perfused ex vivo. The method was well tolerated and associated with an increased concentration of human VEGF in the lung tissue and a decreased concentration of pig IL-8 in the perfusate.