Stem Cells’ Role in Lung Regeneration Points to Possible New

[al]

November 17, 2014
Stem Cells’ Role in Lung Regeneration Points to Possible New Therapies


Researchers have uncovered the role of certain stem cells in regenerating lungs damaged by disease,

shedding light on the inner workings of lung regeneration and pointing to potential therapeutic

strategies that harness these lung stem cells.

“The idea that the lung can regenerate has been slow to take hold in the biomedical research

community,” said Jackson Laboratory (JAX) professor Frank McKeon, Ph.D., “in part because of the

steady decline that is seen in patients with severe lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary

disease (known as COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis.” Dr. McKeon led the study with JAX colleague Wa

Xian, Ph.D.

Nevertheless, there are examples in humans that point to the existence of a robust system for lung

regeneration, he added, saying that, “Some survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS,

for example, are able to recover near-normal lung function following significant destruction of lung

tissue.”

Mice appear to share this capacity. Mice infected with the H1N1 influenza virus show progressive

inflammation in the lung followed by outright loss of important lung cell types. Yet over several weeks

the lungs recover, revealing no signs of the previous injury.

Using this mouse model system, McKeon and his colleagues had previously identified a type of adult

lung stem cell known as p63+/Krt5+ in the distal airways. When grown in culture, these lung stem cells

formed alveolar-like structures, similar to the alveoli found within the lung. (Alveoli are the tiny

specialized air sacs that form at the ends of the smallest airways, where gas exchange occurs in the

lung.) Following infection with H1N1, these same cells migrated to sites of inflammation in the lung and

assembled into pod-like structures that resemble alveoli, both visually and molecularly.

In the new paper, published November 12 in Nature, the research team reports that the p63+/Krt5+

lung stem cells proliferate upon damage to the lung caused by H1N1 infection. Following such damage,

the cells go on to contribute to developing alveoli near sites of lung inflammation.

To test whether these cells are required for lung regeneration, the researchers developed a novel system

that leverages genetic tools to selectively remove these cells from the mouse lung. Mice lacking the

p63+/Krt5+ lung stem cells cannot recover normally from H1N1 infection and exhibit scarring of the lung

and impaired oxygen exchange, demonstrating their key role in regenerating lung tissue.

The team also showed that when individual lung stem cells are isolated and subsequently transplanted

into a damaged lung they readily contribute to the formation of new alveoli, underscoring their capacity

for regeneration.

In the U.S., about 200,000 people have ARDS, a disease with a death rate of 40%, and there are 12

million patients with COPD. “These patients have few therapeutic options today,” Dr. Xian says. “We

hope that our research could lead to new ways to help them.”

[David]

Thanks Al, for that interesting article.

I have talked to my Pulmonary Doctor about the stem cell lung rejuvenation that is being done in South Florida. He tells me the FDA hasn't approved it so only the wealthy can afford it. Leaves me out.

I do read a lot of the people's testimonies. Saddens me that I can't have a shot at it. Sounds promising.

lunginstitute.com/testimonials/

lunginstitute.com/treatment/stem-cell-treatment-basics/

lunginstitute.com/

I keep up with this because it is my best option.

[al]

DAVID !


I know about the stem cell clinics popping up all over the country I even contacted one here in Fla.
I know 2 people that had treatments at one in Fla and another in Mississippi.
All 3 reported "Little or NO improvement at one year."
I haven't had this treatment done , I'm hoping foe a breakthrough soon from a better research program.
Some of the clinics mean well but they don't have the research going on in the medical research schools etc.


I think you just saved a lot of money; $12-$30,000. Most are worthless treatments.
I never placed much value on testimonials !!

[izzie]

If we could all grow new aveoli, most of us could get back to living a normal life again, however research is slow and time is not always on our side. If I could turn back the hands of time...I would have never picked up that first cigarette that I smoked, which nearly choked me death the first time round.

We all make mistakes in life and with our health at times, but I do know that doing things right starting today could make the difference in the quality of life we live from this day forward. We are lucky in that our bodies do forgive us for some things. I think my lungs, even in the state they currently are in are still trying to recover from the trauma I've put them through. Inhaling cigarette smoke isn't the only nasty thing I've done to my lungs though......I've worked with asbestos, paints containing lead, dry wall dust, saw dust from wood products, harsh and hazardous cleaning products, hazardous adhesives, and I've been in very dusty wind storms, etc. I would go on..........but I don't want to bore everyone, .

[David]

Thanks for that information, Al. The website makes it sound so good. I see it's a different story coming from the horse's mouth. I figured it was to good to be true.

I always have hope but I also have excepted my disease as it is. I am a happy person and that means a lot. I make the best of it.

It's good to know people who have the disease and have tried some of the treatments. Sometimes the media is not as honest.

My last Pulmonary Doctor flat out told me about lung transplants. They do help some people but the lungs is the hardest organ to transplant and surgeons are not very good at it. It might add 5 years to one's life. It is a tough decision to make.

[Ron Quigley]

Nov 25, 2014 21:33:22 GMT -5 al said:

November 17, 2014
Stem Cells’ Role in Lung Regeneration Points to Possible New Therapies


Researchers have uncovered the role of certain stem cells in regenerating lungs damaged by disease,

shedding light on the inner workings of lung regeneration and pointing to potential therapeutic

strategies that harness these lung stem cells.

“The idea that the lung can regenerate has been slow to take hold in the biomedical research

community,” said Jackson Laboratory (JAX) professor Frank McKeon, Ph.D., “in part because of the

steady decline that is seen in patients with severe lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary

disease (known as COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis.” Dr. McKeon led the study with JAX colleague Wa

Xian, Ph.D.

Nevertheless, there are examples in humans that point to the existence of a robust system for lung

regeneration, he added, saying that, “Some survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS,

for example, are able to recover near-normal lung function following significant destruction of lung

tissue.”

Mice appear to share this capacity. Mice infected with the H1N1 influenza virus show progressive

inflammation in the lung followed by outright loss of important lung cell types. Yet over several weeks

the lungs recover, revealing no signs of the previous injury.

Using this mouse model system, McKeon and his colleagues had previously identified a type of adult

lung stem cell known as p63+/Krt5+ in the distal airways. When grown in culture, these lung stem cells

formed alveolar-like structures, similar to the alveoli found within the lung. (Alveoli are the tiny

specialized air sacs that form at the ends of the smallest airways, where gas exchange occurs in the

lung.) Following infection with H1N1, these same cells migrated to sites of inflammation in the lung and

assembled into pod-like structures that resemble alveoli, both visually and molecularly.

In the new paper, published November 12 in Nature, the research team reports that the p63+/Krt5+

lung stem cells proliferate upon damage to the lung caused by H1N1 infection. Following such damage,

the cells go on to contribute to developing alveoli near sites of lung inflammation.

To test whether these cells are required for lung regeneration, the researchers developed a novel system

that leverages genetic tools to selectively remove these cells from the mouse lung. Mice lacking the

p63+/Krt5+ lung stem cells cannot recover normally from H1N1 infection and exhibit scarring of the lung

and impaired oxygen exchange, demonstrating their key role in regenerating lung tissue.

The team also showed that when individual lung stem cells are isolated and subsequently transplanted

into a damaged lung they readily contribute to the formation of new alveoli, underscoring their capacity

for regeneration.

In the U.S., about 200,000 people have ARDS, a disease with a death rate of 40%, and there are 12

million patients with COPD. “These patients have few therapeutic options today,” Dr. Xian says. “We

hope that our research could lead to new ways to help them.”

[jim]

Thank you for sharing Al, I guess at the moment it's a game of wait and see what happens next.


Ron Quigley, I'm wondering why you re-posted Al's contribution, with out any comment.