Tracing the origin of alveolar stem cells in lung repair and regeneration. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38579712/)

These scientists wanted to understand how a specific type of lung cell, called alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells, help repair the lungs after they are injured. They used a special method called genetic lineage tracing to track where these AT2 cells come from and how they work.

Instead of using a traditional method that could label many different cells, the scientists developed a new approach that could accurately pinpoint the origins of AT2 cells. They discovered that another type of lung cell, called AT1 cells, do not turn into AT2 cells during lung injury and repair because they are already fully developed.

By carefully labeling different types of lung cells like club cells and bronchioalveolar stem cells (BASCs), the scientists were able to see exactly how each of these cells contribute to the formation of AT2 cells after an injury. They also found that blocking a signaling pathway called Notch can help BASCs but hinder club cells in producing AT2 cells during lung repair.

Through their precise genetic lineage tracing method, the scientists were able to learn more about how different lung cells work together to help the lungs heal after being damaged.

Liu K., Meng X., Liu Z., Tang M., Lv Z., Huang X., Jin H., Han X., Liu X., Pu W., Zhu H., Zhou B. Tracing the origin of alveolar stem cells in lung repair and regeneration. Cell. 2024 Mar 27:S0092-8674(24)00302-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.03.010.