Mitochondrial dysfunction and immune response in pneumococcal pneumonia submitted to mechanical ventilation: impact of mesenchymal stem cells?

The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of mechanical ventilation on immune and mitochondrial dysfunctions, in the setting of pneumococcal pneumonia in rabbits. Then, in a randomized trial, we assessed the effect of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), either alone, or in association with an atibiotic treatment (Ceftaroline) in the setting of pneumococcal pneumonia submitted to adverse mechanical ventilation. Pulmonary gene expression was analysed in an attempt to elucidate the effects of MSCs. Overall design: 4 comparisons were considered (n=7 rabbits/group) = 1) Healthy rabbits vs. Pneumonia+adverse mechanical ventilation (MV); and then in the setting of pneumococcal pneumonia + adverse MV: 2) treatment NaCl. Vs. MSCs; 3) NaCl. Vs. Ceftaroline; 4) Ceftaroline vs. Ceftaroline+MSCs