Airway epithelium regeneration

Airway epithelium regeneration refers to the process by which the airway epithelial lining restores itself following injury. The airway epithelium consists of various differentiated cell types, including basal cells (which act as principal stem cells), secretory/club cells, ciliated cells, goblet cells, and ionocytes. Upon injury, quiescent progenitor or basal cells proliferate, migrate, and differentiate to repopulate the epithelial barrier. This process is orchestrated by signals from the underlying mesenchyme such as growth factors (e.g., Wnt, EGF, FGF10), integrin/ECM interactions, and metabolic changes (e.g., a switch from glycolysis to fatty acid oxidation during differentiation). Dysregulation of epithelial regeneration is implicated in diseases like asthma, COPD, infections, and cancer. Because the process involves a variety of cellular and signaling components rather than a single druggable molecule, it is not considered a conventional therapeutic target.

Other names

Airway epithelial regenerationAirway epithelial repairAirway epithelium repairLung epithelial regeneration