INVITED REVIEW SERIES: STEM CELLS AND THE LUNG

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Lung stem cells: Do they exist?

1. Ivan Bertoncello^*, 
2. Jonathan L. McQualter

Article first published online: 25 APR 2013

DOI: 10.1111/resp.12073

© 2013 The Authors. Respirology © 2013 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology

Issue

Respirology

Volume 18, Issue 4, pages 587–595, May 2013

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Keywords:

• adult stem cell;
• airway epithelium;
• animal model;
• cell biology;
• lung regeneration

Abstract

Recognition of the potential of stem cell-based therapies for alleviating intractable lung diseases has provided the impetus for research aimed at identifying regenerative cells in the adult lung, understanding how they are organized and regulated, and how they could be harnessed in lung regenerative medicine. In this review, we describe the attributes of adult stem and progenitor cells in adult organs and how they are regulated by the permissive or restrictive microenvironment in which they reside. We describe the power and limitations of experimental models, cell separative strategies and functional assays used to model the organization and regulation of adult airway and alveolar stem cells in the adult lung. The review summarizes recent progress and obstacles in defining endogenous lung epithelial stem and progenitor cells in mouse models and in translational studies.

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