Characterization of perivascular alveolar epithelial stem cells and their niche in lung homeostasis and cancer.

ABSTRACT: Lung alveolar structure and function are maintained by subsets of alveolar type II stem cells (AT2s), but there is a need for characterization of these subsets and their associated niches. Here, we report a CD44^high subpopulation of AT2s characterized by increased expression of genes that regulate immune signaling even during steady-state homeostasis. Disruption of one of these immune regulatory transcription factor STAT1 impaired the stem cell function of AT2s. CD44^high cells were preferentially located near macro- blood vessels and a supportive niche constituted by LYVE1⁺ endothelial cells, adventitial fibroblasts, and accumulated hyaluronan. In this microenvironment, CD44^high AT2 cells were more responsive to transformation by KRAS than genera

SUBMITTER: Chen Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11390684 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature