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Updated: Jan 14, 2026
Generation of 3D Whole Lung Organoids from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Modeling Lung Developmental Biology and Disease
Published on: April 12, 2021
Growth factors, stem cells and bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Rajesh S Alphonse1, Bernard Thébaud
1Department of Pediatrics and Women and Children Health Research Institute, Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta., Canada.
Insights
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease in premature infants, lacks specific treatments. Stem cell therapies offer a promising avenue for repairing lung damage and treating BPD.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pulmonology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most frequent complication in extremely preterm infants, characterized by arrested alveolar growth and disrupted vasculogenesis.
- While perinatal care has improved survival rates for very premature infants, BPD remains a significant challenge with no targeted treatment.
- The long-term consequences of BPD can include chronic lung disease persisting into adulthood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the fundamental principles of stem cell biology.
- To discuss the current advancements in stem cell-based therapies for lung diseases.
- To specifically explore the potential of stem cell therapies in treating bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of stem cell biology and its application in lung disease.
- Analysis of recent research on stem cell-based treatments for BPD.
- Discussion of challenges and future directions in the field.
Main Results:
- Stem cell research has advanced our understanding of organ repair mechanisms.
- Cell-based therapies show potential for addressing intractable lung diseases.
- Stem cells offer a novel therapeutic strategy for BPD.
Conclusions:
- Stem cell biology provides a foundation for developing new treatments for lung diseases.
- Stem cell-based therapies represent a promising frontier for managing BPD.
- Further research is needed to overcome challenges and optimize stem cell treatments for BPD.
Abstract:
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the chronic lung disease of prematurity mainly affecting preterm infants that are born at 24-28 weeks of gestation. Surfactant therapy, antenatal steroids and incremental improvements in perinatal care have modified the pattern of injury and allowed survival of ever more immature infants, but there is still no specific treatment for BPD. As a consequence, this disorder remains the most common complication of extreme prematurity. Arrested alveolar growth and disrupted vasculogenesis, the histological hallmarks of BPD, may persist beyond childhood and lead to chronic lung diseases in adults. Recent advances in our understanding of stem cells and their potential to repair damaged organs offer the possibility for cell-based treatment for intractable diseases. This review summarizes basic concepts of stem cell biology and discusses the recent advances and challenges of stem cell-based therapies for lung diseases, with a particular focus on BPD.
