Integrin α6β4 defines a novel lung epithelial progenitor cell: a step forward for cell-based therapies for pulmonary disease

Abstract

The many challenges associated with lung transplantation provide a strong rationale for the development of cell- and tissue-based therapies for patients with respiratory failure caused by the loss of lung tissue that is associated with chronic pulmonary disease, injury, or resection. In this issue of the JCI, Chapman et al. take an important step forward in the development of regenerative medicine for the treatment of lung disease by identifying a novel integrin α6β4-expressing alveolar epithelial cell that serves as a multipotent progenitor during repair of the severely injured lung.

Figure 1. Location and markers of α6β4 epithelial progenitors in the lung.

Diagram shows the structure of the respiratory tree and alveolar region of the lung. Surfactant-producing cuboidal type II AECs (T2), squamous type I AECs (T1), and the α6β4-expressing epithelial progenitor cells described by Chapman and colleagues (5) are located in close proximity to blood vessels and interstitial tissue containing fibroblasts and ECM. Marker proteins expressed by T1, T2, and α6β4 cells are indicated.