Alveolus formation: what have we learned from genetic studies?
The respiratory system has two basic functions: air exchange and pathogen clearance. The conducting airway and alveolar parenchyma are the basic structures to fulfill these functions during respiratory cycles. In humans, there are approximately 40 cell types in the lung that coordinately work together through various structural and signaling molecules. These molecules are vital for maintaining normal lung functions in response to environmental changes. Aberrant expression of these molecules can jeopardize human health and cause various pulmonary diseases. In this article, we will review some recent progress made in the pulmonary field, using genetic animal model systems to elucidate molecular mechanisms that are important for alveolar formation and lung diseases.
Yan
Cong
C
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Pulmonary Biology, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA. cong.yan@cchmc.org
Du
Hong
H
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified / Q000502:physiology*; D018496:Hyperoxia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals / Q000502:physiology*; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000378:metabolism*; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*
D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear