Tissue Engineering for the Respiratory Epithelium: Cell-Based Therapies for Treatment of Lung Disease

Abstract Recent advances in stem cell biology and cell transplantation provide the conceptual framework for the development of cell-based therapies for life-threatening diseases affecting many organs, including the lung. Because of its complex structure, cell-based or regenerative medicine related therapies for pulmonary disorders face significant technical challenges. Therapeutic goals span a spectrum of expectations that include: 1) Protection and regeneration of functional lung tissue after acute or chronic injury, 2) Replacement of cells affected by inherited or acquired diseases with genetically altered progenitor cells, 3) Provision of cells capable of enhancing lung tissue repair or inhibiting oncogenesis, and 4) Introduction of cells capable of expressing therapeutic molecules for local or systemic delivery. The technical hurdles required for accomplishing each of these goals are distinct and of various heights. None are trivial. Knowledge of the cellular and molecular basis for specification and differentiation of stem/progenitor cells during lung formation, repair, and regeneration are required for the successful application of cell-based therapies for the lung. This chapter reviews concepts derived from recent studies related to lung morphogenesis, stem cells, and tissue engineering. The interpretation of concepts developed in the study of tissue engineering and stem cell biology are highly relevant to the development of future therapies for pulmonary diseases.