Investigators from our Center for Inflammation Research and the Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center at Massachusetts General Hospital published a study that found a single administration of B cells improves outcomes in an animal model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). The B cells were found to improve oxygenation and help modulate immune response in damaged and inflamed lungs, offering hope for future innovation in treatment of this serious condition. The paper “Protective and immunomodulatory Functions of Exogenous B Cells in Hyperpoxic Lung Injury,” was published in the June issue of Anesthesia and Analgesia. Dr. Dusan Hanidziar, who works with the Director of our Center for Inflammation Research, Dr. Simon Robson, was lead author on the study. Dr. Robson was a co-author.
ARDS, caused by lung injury and inflammation, was particularly prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic and causes significant mortality, so there is a particular need for new, effective treatments for these critically ill patients.
“ARDS is a life-threatening condition, characterized by a widespread inflammation and damage to the lungs. In the ICU, we support these patients with mechanical ventilation and administration of high levels of oxygen, hoping the lungs will heal on their own and their function improves. However, there is a lack of treatments that would allow us to take more proactive approach. We are very excited about our results showing that B cell infusion has anti-inflammatory effects in the lungs, and are working on further testing of this novel cell therapy. Our goal for the future is a clinical trial in patients with ARDS” notes Dusan Hanidziar, MD PhD.
The study titled “ Protective and Immunomodulatory Functions of Exogenous B Cells in Experimental Hyperoxic Lung Injury” can be accessed online https://journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/fulltext/9900/protective_and_immunomodulatory_functions_of.1340.aspx