Fgf10-positive cells represent a progenitor cell population during lung development and postnatally

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Stem Cell Biology
• Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

• The lung mesenchyme is heterogeneous, with diverse cell lineages crucial for development and homeostasis.
• A clear hierarchy of these mesenchymal lineages has not been established.
• Fibroblast Growth Factor 10 (Fgf10) plays a role in lung development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the lineage and potential of Fgf10-expressing cells in lung development and homeostasis.
• To characterize the contribution of Fgf10-positive cells to different lung cell types.
• To explore the therapeutic potential of Fgf10-positive cells.

Main Methods:

• Generation of a novel Fgf10(iCre) knock-in mouse line for lineage tracing.
• Utilizing lineage tracing to track Fgf10-positive cells during embryonic and postnatal lung development.
• Analysis of cell contributions during pseudoglandular, alveolar, and adult stages.

Main Results:

• Two distinct waves of Fgf10 expression were identified during embryonic lung development.
• The first wave of Fgf10-positive cells contributes to smooth muscle and lipofibroblasts.
• The second wave contributes to lipofibroblasts and a novel Nkx2.1(-) E-Cad(-) Epcam(+) Pro-Spc(+) lineage; adult Fgf10-expressing cells are mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs).

Conclusions:

• Fgf10-expressing cells represent a pool of mesenchymal progenitors in both embryonic and postnatal lungs.
• These findings establish Fgf10-positive cells as key progenitors with potential therapeutic applications.
• Fgf10-positive cells may be valuable for developing stem cell-based therapies for interstitial lung diseases.