Stem cells in sepsis and acute lung injury.
OBJECTIVE
Sepsis and acute lung injury continue to be major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide despite advances in our understanding of pathophysiology and the discovery of new management strategies. Recent investigations show that stem cells may be beneficial as prognostic biomarkers and novel therapeutic strategies in these syndromes. This article reviews the potential use of endogenous adult tissue-derived stem cells in sepsis and acute lung injury as prognostic markers and also as exogenous cell-based therapy.


METHODS
A directed systematic search of the medical literature using PubMed and OVID, with particular emphasis on the time period after 2002, was done to evaluate topics related to 1) the epidemiology and pathophysiology of sepsis and acute lung injury; and 2) the definition, characterization, and potential use of stem cells in these diseases. DATA SYNTHESIS AND FINDINGS: When available, preferential consideration was given to prospective nonrandomized clinical and preclinical studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Stem cells have shown significant promise in the field of critical care both for 1) prognostic value and 2) treatment strategies. Although several recent studies have identified the potential benefit of stem cells in sepsis and acute lung injury, further investigations are needed to more completely understand stem cells and their potential prognostic and therapeutic value.
Cribbs
Sushma K
SK
Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. skomaku@emory.edu
Matthay
Michael A
MA
Martin
Greg S
GS
D055371:Acute Lung Injury / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D016638:Critical Illness; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome