Pulmonary stem cells and the induction of tissue regeneration in the treatment of emphysema.
A common feature of lung disorders with poor treatment options, including emphysema, is a failure to initiate a repair process of the alveolar epithelium. Several putative stem cell niches in the lung thought to be involved in lung homeostasis have been described. Apparently, under pathophysiological conditions these resident progenitor cells are unable to recover damaged alveolar epithelium, in particular in emphysema. The potential therapeutic effect of retinoic acid receptor agonists on various resident lung progenitor cells is reviewed.
Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Josephine
J
Lenssen
Jan
J
Stolk
D000818:Animals; D004646:Emphysema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D019141:Respiratory System Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; D019141:Respiratory System Agents; D014212:Tretinoin