Epithelial cells/progenitor cells in developing human lower respiratory tract: Characterization and transplantation to rat model of pulmonary injury

Introduction: For cell-based therapies of lung injury, several cell sources have been extensively studied. However, the potential human fetal respiratory cells has not systematically explored for this purpose. Here, we hypothesize that these could be one top and hence, updated definition their phenotype. Methods: Human lower tissues from pseudoglandular canalicular stages isolated epithelial were evaluated by immunostaining, electron microscopy, flow cytometry, organoid assay, gene expression studies. The regenerative in a rat model bleomycin-induced pulmonary injury tracheal instillation on days 0 14 after harvest lungs day 28. Results: We determined relative temporal, spatial pattern markers basal (KRT5, KRT14, TRP63), non-basal (AQP3 pro-SFTPC), early progenitor (NKX2.1, SOX2, SOX9) cells. Also, showed respiratory-derived to contribute vitro formation alveolar airway-like structures organoids. Cell therapy decreased fibrosis improved structures. It also upregulated IL-10 (up 17.22 folds) surfactant protein C 2.71 downregulated TGF-β 5.89 AQP5 3.28 folds). Conclusion: provide substantial evidence tract can improve process injury. our extensive characterization provides an phenotypic profile