Open AccessConquering the cytokine storm in COVID‐19‐induced ARDS using placenta‐derived decidua stromal cells
Author(s) -
Sadeghi Behnam,
Roshandel Elham,
Pirsalehi Ali,
Kazemi Sepide,
Sankanian Ghazaleh,
Majidi Mohammad,
Salimi Maryam,
Aghdami Nasser,
Sadrosadat Hoda,
Samadi Kochaksaraei Sarvenaz,
Alaeddini Farshid,
Ringden Olle,
Hajifathali Abbas
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/jcmm.16986
Subject(s) - ards , medicine , decidua , cytokine storm , cytokine , stromal cell , oxygenation , placenta , gastroenterology , lung , covid-19 , pregnancy , fetus , biology , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , genetics
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the most common cause of death in COVID‐19 patients. The cytokine storm is the main driver of the severity and magnitude of ARDS. Placenta‐derived decidua stromal cells (DSCs) have a stronger immunosuppressive effect than other sources of mesenchymal stromal cells. Safety and efficacy study included 10 patients with a median age of 50 (range 14–68) years with COVID‐19‐induced ARDS. DSCs were administered 1–2 times at a dose of 1 × 10 6 /kg. End points were safety and efficacy by survival, oxygenation and effects on levels of cytokines. Oxygenation levels increased from a median of 80.5% (range 69–88) to 95% (range 78–99) ( p = 0.012), and pulmonary infiltrates disappeared in all patients. Levels of IL‐6 decreased from a median of 69.3 (range 35.0–253.4) to 11 (range 4.0–38.3) pg/ml ( p = 0.018), and CRP decreased from 69 (range 5–169) to 6 (range 2–31) mg/ml ( p = 0.028). Two patients died, one of a myocardial infarction and the other of multiple organ failure, diagnosed before the DSC therapy. The other patients recovered and left the intensive care unit (ICU) within a median of 6 (range 3–12) days. DSC therapy is safe and capable of improving oxygenation, decreasing inflammatory cytokine level and clearing pulmonary infiltrates in patients with COVID‐19.