Thursday, May 12, 2011

Lung stem cell? Promising, but no reason to take up smoking again...

Very interesting article today in the New Engalnd Journal of Medicine identifying another native adult stem cell, this time resident in the lung:

Human lungs contain identifiable stem cells. In animal models, these cells participate in tissue homeostasis and regeneration. They have the undemonstrated potential to promote tissue restoration in patients with lung disease.

For those without a subscription to NEJM, see the write-up in Forbes.

Very promising as a potential pathway for regeneration of damaged lung tissue.