Progenitor cells of the distal lung and their potential role in neonatal lung disease

• Published in: Birth defects research. A Clinical and molecular teratology Vol. 100; no. 3; p. 217
• Main Authors: Collins, Jennifer J P, Thébaud, Bernard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2014
• Subjects: Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia - metabolism; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia - pathology; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia - physiopathology; Humans; Infant, Extremely Premature; Infant, Newborn; Lung - metabolism; Lung - pathology; Lung - physiopathology; Stem Cells; preterm birth; lung epithelial progenitor cells; alveolar development; bronchopulmonary dysplasia; lung mesenchymal stromal cells; microvascular development; distal lung epithelial progenitors; lung development; lung progenitors
• ISSN: 1542-0760
• DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23227

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common adverse outcome in extreme preterm neonates (born before 28 weeks gestation). BPD is characterized by interrupted lung growth and may predispose to early-onset emphysema and poor lung function in later life. At present, there is no treatment for BPD. Recent advances in stem/progenitor cell biology have enabled the exploration of endogenous lung progenitor populations in health and disease. In parallel, exogenous stem/progenitor cell administration has shown promise in protecting the lung from injury in the experimental setting. This review will provide an outline of the progenitor populations that have currently been identified in all tissue compartments of the distal lung and how they may be affected in BPD. A thorough understanding of the lung's endogenous progenitor populations during normal development, injury and repair may one day allow us to harness their regenerative capacity.