Intrabronchial instillation of bone marrow derived mononuclear cells in silicotic patients: Nuclear medicine analysis and follow-up

606 Objectives This study reported the homing of autologous bone marrow derived mononuclear cells (BMDMC) after intrabronchial instillation through bronchoscopy and the time course of lung perfusion scintigraphy of five patients with silicosis. Methods For each patient, 2 million cells were labeled with 99mTc. All procedures for cell preparation and labeling were carried out in a laminar flow. Briefly, 500 μl of sterile SnCl2 solution was added to the cells and the mixture was incubated at room temperature for 10 min. Forty-five mCi of 99mTc was then added and incubation continued for another 10 min. After centrifugation (500×g for 5 min), the supernatant was removed and the cells were washed in saline solution. Viability was estimated to be greater than 94% and labeling efficiency was estimated to be greater than 90% in all cases. Whole body and planar scans were performed 2 and 24h after instillation. Perfusion scintigraphy was performed before and 30, 60, 120, 180 and 360 days after BMDMC therapy. Results he procedure was well tolerated by the patients and there were no respiratory, cardiovascular or hematological complications. 99mTc-BMDMC showed higher uptake at regions with worsened disease. The autologous BMDMC transplantation showed early (Day 30) increase in lung perfusion in the base of both lungs and remained elevated until day 180. Conversely, lung perfusion presented a significant reduction (p Conclusions Intrabronchial instillation of BMDMC is a safe route of stem cell administration leading to a redistribution of lung perfusion from the apex to the base suggesting repair of lung parenchyma in the base. Research Support CNP