Stem cells and pulmonary metamorphosis: new concepts in repair and regeneration.
Adult stem cells are likely to have much more versatile differentiation capabilities than once believed. Numerous studies have appeared over the past decade demonstrating the ability of adult stem cells to differentiate into a variety of cells from non-hematopoietic organs, including the lung. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of the growth factors which are thought to be involved in lung development and disease, describe the cells within the lung that are believed to replace cells that have been injured, review the studies that have demonstrated the transformation of bone marrow-derived stem cells into lung cells, and describe potential clinical applications with respect to human pulmonary disease.
Aliotta
Jason M
JM
Roger Williams Medical Center, Center for Stem Cell Biology, Providence, RI 02908, USA. jason.aliotta@verizon.net
Passero
Michael
M
Meharg
Joseph
J
Klinger
James
J
Dooner
Mark S
MS
Pimentel
Jeffrey
J
Quesenberry
Peter J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*
D006133:Growth Substances