Endogenous lung stem cells and contribution to disease

JC Snyder, RM Teisanu… - The Journal of Pathology: A …, 2009 - Wiley Online Library
The Journal of Pathology: A Journal of the Pathological Society of …, 2009Wiley Online Library
Epithelial branching during the process of lung development results in the establishment of
distinct functional zones, each of which is characterized by a unique cellular composition
and repertoire of local progenitor cells. Significant new insights into cellular and molecular
mechanisms of epithelial maintenance that provide insights into the pathophysiology of lung
disease have been made in recent years. This review focuses on the complex structure–
function relationship in the airway epithelium, how this epithelium is maintained in the …
Abstract
Epithelial branching during the process of lung development results in the establishment of distinct functional zones, each of which is characterized by a unique cellular composition and repertoire of local progenitor cells. Significant new insights into cellular and molecular mechanisms of epithelial maintenance that provide insights into the pathophysiology of lung disease have been made in recent years. This review focuses on the complex structure–function relationship in the airway epithelium, how this epithelium is maintained in the normal state and repaired following injury, and how deregulation may contribute to airway disease and cancer. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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