Actively Recruiting
Benefits of Epithelial Repair in COPD by Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS)
Led by University Hospital, Montpellier · Updated on 2026-05-12
50
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying the potential of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to repair damaged bronchial epithelium in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), smokers without COPD, and non-smoking controls. This experimental study aims to understand how well bronchial epithelium repairs itself using a model grown in air/liquid interface cultures and to explore the role of iPS cells in this repair process. The study could lead to new cell-based therapies for COPD, focusing on epigenetic treatments and future in vivo applications. Participants will undergo bronchial fibroscopy, a procedure part of their disease management, during which two additional bronchial biopsies will be collected for the study. Researchers will compare three groups—COPD patients, smokers without COPD, and healthy non-smokers—by examining epithelial repair in cultures with and without iPS cell grafting. The study involves detailed laboratory analyses over several days to assess repair capacity and cellular characteristics. During the study, researchers will evaluate repair capacity using bronchial epithelium models and iPS cells, measuring repair progress, electrical resistance of the epithelium, and the presence of grafted iPS cells. Various cell types will be identified through immunofluorescent labeling and gene expression profiling. The study involves multiple assessments on days 1, 2, 3, and 7, aiming to understand the cellular repair process and confirm whether iPS cells help restore normal epithelium. Participants will be monitored as part of their clinical care during bronchial fibroscopy.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Benefits of Epithelial Repair in COPD by Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS)
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Male and female participants aged 18 years or older.
- Participants with a bronchoscopy indication determined by a pulmonologist.
- For COPD group: current or former smokers with at least 10 pack-years and COPD diagnosis confirmed by spirometry.
- For smokers without COPD group: current or former smokers with at least 10 pack-years and no obstructive ventilatory disorder confirmed by spirometry.
- For non-smoker controls: never-smokers or former smokers who quit more than 10 years ago with less than 10 pack-years and no obstructive ventilatory disorder confirmed by spirometry.
You will not qualify if you...
- Participants with extensive neoplastic disease.
- Participants with other progressive pulmonary conditions such as asthma, tuberculosis, interstitial lung disease, or recent pulmonary infections.
- Participants consuming illicit drugs or alcohol.
- Individuals deprived of liberty or under involuntary hospitalization.
- Individuals currently enrolled in another research study with ongoing exclusion periods.
- Participants with recent psychiatric disorders preventing informed consent or requiring immediate intervention.
- Adults under legal protection such as guardianship.
- Participants unable to provide informed consent.
- Participants not fluent in French and without assistance.
- Participants not covered by social security.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- Participants refusing or unable to provide consent.
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 day
Participants undergo bronchial fibroscopy during which 2 bronchial biopsies are taken as part of the procedure.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 7 days
Participants’ bronchial epithelial cells are assessed in vitro for repair capacity using reconstituted bronchial epithelium models over several days.
No additional visits; assessments performed on collected samples
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University Hospital of Montpellier, Arnaud de Villeneuve Hospital
Montpellier, Hérault, France, 34295
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
I
Isabelle VACHIER, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
3
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