Pulmonary alveolar type I cell population consists of two distinct subtypes that differ in cell fate.

ABSTRACT: Pulmonary alveolar type I (AT1) cells cover more than 95% of alveolar surface and are essential for the air-blood barrier function of lungs. AT1 cells have been shown to retain developmental plasticity during alveolar regeneration. However, the development and heterogeneity of AT1 cells remain largely unknown. Here, we conducted a single-cell RNA-seq analysis to characterize postnatal AT1 cell development and identified insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 (Igfbp2) as a genetic marker specifically expressed in postnatal AT1 cells. The portion of AT1 cells expressing Igfbp2 increases during alveologenesis and in post pneumonectomy (PNX) newly formed alveoli. We found that the adult AT1 cell population contains both Hopx⁺Igfbp2⁺ and Hopx⁺Igfbp2^-<

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5877944 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature