Nanotherapies Discovered: Researchers Reveal How These Tiny Particles May Help Prevent Lung, Brain Injury in Premature Babies

For extremely or very premature babies to breathe, they need extra oxygen and mechanical intervention although this can impair their lings, resulting in a chronic lung disorder known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia or BPD.

As specified in a EurekAlert! report, these infants have tinier, weaker lungs that cannot send as much oxygen to their developing brains. The inadequacy of oxygen during the development of the brain can result in learning abilities or problems hearing, seeing, and walking. Medical reports have said there is no cure for BPD, although Dr. Bernad Thebaud, together with his team, is hoping to change that.

Nanotherapies

Thebaud and his team previously discovered that cells from the umbilical cord, also known as mesenchymal stromal cells or MSCs, could prevent BPD in newborn mice.

Now, new research in mice was published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and led by former team members of Thebaud, Drs. Marissa Lithopoulos and Lannae Strueby recently showed that small particles released by the MSCs known as extracellular vesicles are just as good as preventing PBD.

Called the MSC-EVs or nanotherapies, these nano-sized particles have similar impacts to MSCs, although they are easier to manufacture, dose and store.

Different from the MSCs, nanotherapies can cross the blood-brain barrier. This means that they can travel into the brain after getting injected into the bloodstream.

MSC-EVs Preventing Lung and Brain Injuries

The study investigators saw evidence that some MSC-EVs reached the brain in this research, although most of them traveled to the lungs. More so, not only did MSC-EVs prevent lung injury in this research, but they also prevented brain injury.

This was pioneering research that shows BPD is impairing some of the critical functions of brain stem cells that can turn into all different cells in the brain and play a vital role in the development of the brain.

This research comes as Thebaud and his research team are preparing to launch a phase I clinical trial to test the safety of using MSCs to treat BPD in premature babies. The team is hoping to evaluate MSC-EVs in future clinical trials.

A similar report from Bioengineer.org said that according to Thebaud, a neonatologist and senior scientist at The Ottawa Hospital and CHEO and professor at the University of Ottawa.

What is Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia?

The American Lung Association describes Bronchopulmonary dysplasia as "a form of chronic lung disease that affects newborns." Most infants developing this condition have been born prematurely and need oxygen treatment. Most newborns recover from the condition, although some experience long-term breathing problems.

Considered a respiratory disease, BPD can occur when a newborn's lungs are undeveloped at birth, necessitating the use of an oxygen treatment or ventilator for support.

Since the longs of infants are particularly susceptible, high amounts of inhaled oxygen and pressure may cause the alveoli, the lung's tiny air sacs, to overstretch. This then causes inflammation and damage to the inner linings of the airways, the alveoli, and the blood vessels surrounding them. These effects are specifically impairing the premature lung, and BPD is considered mainly a complication of prematurity.

Related information about BPD is shown on The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's YouTube video below:

Check out more news and information on Nanotechnology, and Medicine & Health in Science Times.