Nebulization Therapy with Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes for COVID-19 Pneumonia

Background Scientists have been facing numerous challenges in the development of an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia. Several studies have suggested that improving patient immunity and reducing lung injury induced by SARS-CoV-2 may be effective for treating patients with COVID-19. Methods A pilot trial of nebulization therapy with exosomes of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) was performed on seven patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Exosomes secreted from MSCs were collected and purified using multiple ultrafiltration steps. All patients were treated with nebulization of MSC-derived exosomes, and primary safety and efficacy outcomes were evaluated. Results Our clinical study demonstrated that nebulization of MSC-derived exosomes is a novel method that might be utilized in the treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia. Nebulization of MSC-derived exosomes did not induce acute allergic or secondary allergic reactions but did promote the absorption of pulmonary lesions and reduce the duration of hospitalization for mild cases of COVID-19 pneumonia. Conclusions Nebulization of MSC-derived exosomes is a safe, effective, and simple method, and their application at the beginning of treatment may be more beneficial. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000030261. Registered on 26 February 2020. Graphical Abstract