Author Interviews, Flu - Influenza, Pulmonary Disease, Stem Cells, University of Pennsylvania / 22.08.2019
Transplanted Lung Stem Cells May Aid in Recovery from Severe Flu
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
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Dr. Vaughan[/caption]
Andrew E. Vaughan, PhD
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Sciences
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Severe respiratory infections, including influenza, can progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), wherein barrier function and gas exchange are compromised. It’s a very life threatening scenario. This is due in part to loss of alveolar type 2 (surfactant producing) and type 1 cells (gas exchanging). Interestingly alveolar type 2 cells are also stem cells in the lung. We wondered whether transplant of these cells might aid in recovery from severe influenza infection, and sure enough, it did!
Dr. Vaughan[/caption]
Andrew E. Vaughan, PhD
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Sciences
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Severe respiratory infections, including influenza, can progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), wherein barrier function and gas exchange are compromised. It’s a very life threatening scenario. This is due in part to loss of alveolar type 2 (surfactant producing) and type 1 cells (gas exchanging). Interestingly alveolar type 2 cells are also stem cells in the lung. We wondered whether transplant of these cells might aid in recovery from severe influenza infection, and sure enough, it did!
