title: Chemical warfare agent and biological toxin-induced pulmonary toxicity: could stem cells provide potential therapies?
abstract: Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) as well as biological toxins present a significant inhalation injury risk to both deployed warfighters and civilian targets of terrorist attacks. Inhalation of many CWAs and biological toxins can induce severe pulmonary toxicity leading to the development of acute lung injury (ALI) as well as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The therapeutic options currently used to treat these conditions are very limited and mortality rates remain high. Recent evidence suggests that human stem cells may provide significant therapeutic options for ALI and ARDS in the near future. The threat posed by CWAs and biological toxins for both civilian populations and military personnel is growing, thus understanding the mechanisms of toxicity and potential therapies is critical. This review will outline the pulmonary toxic effects of some of the most common CWAs and biological toxins as well as the potential role of stem cells in treating these types of toxic lung injuries.
authors.affiliation: US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Angelini
authors.forename: Russell M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Dorsey
authors.forename: Kristen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Moyer
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oyler
authors.forename: Neil S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Salem
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D054045:Biological Warfare Agents; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D054045:Biological Warfare Agents; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D014118:Toxins, Biological