Abstract
Cells with characteristics of embryonic stem cells, and cancer stem cells are at the basis of both embryo development and the cancer process. At the same time, they share signaling pathways, such as the hedgehog, Notch, Wnt, TGF beta, among others. This knowledge is important for understanding the pulmonary regeneration process and for the development of new target therapies.
Highlights
The understanding of lung development during embryogenesis and the knowledge of several cell populations is essential for regenerative medicine and for the recognition of the cell of origin of lung neoplasms
Several evidences suggest that the human lung contains a population of characteristic stem cells
This statement is explained by the fact that most patients with small cell lung cancer (CPCP) already have metastases, resistance or refractoriness to chemotherapy treatment at the moment
Summary
The understanding of lung development during embryogenesis and the knowledge of several cell populations is essential for regenerative medicine and for the recognition of the cell of origin of lung neoplasms. Several evidences suggest that the human lung contains a population of characteristic stem cells. This statement is explained by the fact that most patients with small cell lung cancer (CPCP) already have metastases, resistance or refractoriness to chemotherapy treatment at the moment. Each pulmonary bud initiates a repetitive process of growth and branched morphogenesis to form future airways (Schittny and Burri 2008). The components of the extracellular matrix, including the basement membrane, are different in the terminal bud, in the branching points and in the most proximal portions of the bronchial tree, where epithelial differentiation has already started (Schittny and Burri2004).
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