What mechanisms drive lung repair after injury? This review examines the processes involved in alveolar epithelial cell regeneration following lung injury, a common occurrence from infections, inhalation injuries, and sepsis. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective therapies to restore lung function. The review discusses pathological mechanisms such as apoptosis, autophagy, senescence, and ferroptosis, alongside regeneration mechanisms that include epithelial progenitor cells and various niche cells. It emphasizes the role of alveolar type II (AT2) cells in proliferating and differentiating into alveolar type I (AT1) cells to repair the damaged alveolar epithelial layer. The review also highlights the importance of the alveolar niche, where cells like fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells influence AT2 cell proliferation and differentiation through paracrine signaling. Furthermore, it discusses the contribution of airway epithelial cells to the repair and regeneration process, providing insights into the intricate processes that govern lung recovery.
Published in The FASEB Journal, this review aligns with the journal's broad scope in biological sciences, biochemistry, and molecular biology. The paper focuses on the mechanisms of alveolar epithelial cell repair and regeneration, which is relevant to understanding lung biology and disease. The discussion of signaling pathways and cellular processes further aligns with the journal's focus on molecular and cellular mechanisms.