Epithelial stem/progenitor cells in lung postnatal growth, maintenance, and repair

Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol. 2008:73:291-5. doi: 10.1101/sqb.2008.73.037. Epub 2008 Nov 21.

Abstract

The adult lung consists of a trachea leading into a system of branched airways ending in millions of alveolar sacs. It contains many different epithelial cell types arranged in precise patterns along the proximodistal axis. Each region of the lung has the capacity to repair through the proliferation of different epithelial cell types. However, the precise identity of the cells mediating repair is not fully resolved. To address this problem, we are using genetic lineage-labeling techniques in the mouse. The tools we have made will also be useful for understanding how progenitor cell behavior is regulated under normal and pathological conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Adult Stem Cells / physiology
  • Animals
  • Bronchioles / cytology
  • Bronchioles / growth & development
  • Bronchioles / physiology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / physiology
  • Lung / cytology*
  • Lung / growth & development*
  • Lung / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Models, Biological
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / cytology
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / growth & development
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / physiology
  • Trachea / cytology
  • Trachea / growth & development
  • Trachea / physiology