Stem-cell-derived lung cells to restore airway and alveolar stem cells
Engraftment of PSC-Derived Lung Lineages to Reconstitute in vivo Airway and Alveolar Stem Cell Function
Researchers are using lung cells grown from stem cells to replace damaged airway and alveolar stem cells for people with serious genetic or other severe lung diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309140 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
I read that the team grows lung epithelial progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells and directs them into airway basal cells (iBCs) or alveolar progenitors (iTPs). They plan to deliver these engineered cells into the lungs by instilling them into the airways of animal models to see if the cells take up residence in airway and alveolar stem cell niches. The project will test whether engrafted cells can durably replace damaged stem cells and correct defects seen in genetic lung disease models such as ABCA3-related disorders. If the animal work is successful, it would support development of similar cell-based therapies for people with airway or alveolar stem cell failure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Future trial candidates would likely include people with genetic lung diseases (for example ABCA3 mutations) or those with severe airway or alveolar stem cell loss not helped by current treatments.
Not a fit: People whose lung problems are due to non-epithelial causes, who have only mild disease, active infections, or contraindications to cell-based therapies are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide long-lasting replacement of damaged lung stem cells and lead to new treatments for genetic and severe epithelial lung diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Early preclinical work has shown stem-cell–derived lung cells can engraft in animals, but translating this to humans is largely untested and novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kotton, Darrell N. — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Kotton, Darrell N.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.