Functions and regenerative applications of adult human airway epithelial basal cells

Abstract

Basal cells are the major cell type of the adult airway epithelium, expressing the molecular markers P63 and KRT5, and possessing tissue stem cell properties such as self-renewal capacity and multidirectional differentiation potential. Basal cell differentiation is mainly regulated by Notch signaling. Insufficiency or depletion of basal cells can initiate abnormal repair and/or pathological remodeling of lung tissue. Residual basal stem cells are present in the airway epithelium of patients with bronchiectasis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and COPD and can be cultured and expanded in vitro. After transbronchoscopic airway implantation of autologous basal cells, patients with bronchiectasis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis may show some improvement in lung structure, lung function and exercise capacity.

Keywords

• tissue stem cell
• airway epithelium
• basal cells
• lung regeneration
• idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(ipf)