Roles of Mesenchymal Cells in the Lung: From Lung Development to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Cells. 2021 Dec 9;10(12):3467. doi: 10.3390/cells10123467.

Abstract

Mesenchymal cells are an essential cell type because of their role in tissue support, their multilineage differentiation capacities and their potential clinical applications. They play a crucial role during lung development by interacting with airway epithelium, and also during lung regeneration and remodeling after injury. However, much less is known about their function in lung disease. In this review, we discuss the origins of mesenchymal cells during lung development, their crosstalk with the epithelium, and their role in lung diseases, particularly in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Keywords: COPD; development; lung; mesenchyme.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Airway Remodeling / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
  • Epithelium / growth & development
  • Epithelium / metabolism
  • Epithelium / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lung / growth & development*
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Lung / pathology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Organogenesis / genetics*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / genetics*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / pathology
  • Respiratory Mucosa / growth & development
  • Respiratory Mucosa / metabolism