Lung stem cell update: promise and controversy.
Currently, there is great enthusiasm about potential stem cell therapies for intractable diseases. We previously reviewed the topic of stem cells in lung injury and repair, including the role of endogenous, tissue (somatic) stem cells and the contribution of circulating cells to the lung parenchyma. Our purpose here is to provide a concise update in this fast-moving field. New information and ongoing debate focus attention on basic issues in lung stem cell biology and highlight the need for additional studies to establish the feasibility of cell therapies to prevent or treat lung diseases.
Neuringer
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Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.
Randell
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D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005544:Forecasting; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012449:Safety; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology