Protective role of mesenchymal stem cells and mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in cigarette smoke-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in mice

Highlights: • The protective role of MSC and EXO in CS-induced lung mitochondrial dysfunction was determined. • MSC + EXO treatment showed much protection compared to individual treatments. • CS exposure led to significant increase in the mitochondrial fission protein and DAMPs. • BEAS2B-MSC co-culture showed protection against the CSE-altered mitochondrial respiration. • MSC + EXO treatment protect against CS-mediated against mitochondrial dysfunction. -- Abstract: Cigarette smoke (CS)-induced lung inflammation and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD) involves mitochondrial dysfunction. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and MSC-derived exosomes (EXO) are reported to show therapeutic effects in many animal models of inflammation and injury. In the present study, we determined the role of MSC and EXO intervention in CS-induced lung inflammation with a focus on mitochondrial dysfunction.