Weill Cornell Medical College investigators have reported in the journal Cell that they have made an important discovery about the process of “turning on” lung regeneration.

Scientists have known for some time that mice may be able to regenerate and expand one lung if the other is missing, but now they have more information about the molecular triggers behind this.

Head researcher, Dr. Shahin Rafii and his team earlier discovered growth factors controlling liver and bone marrow regeneration. As a result they’ve been able to determine that endothelial cells are responsible for generating inductive growth factors called “angiocrine factors”. The blood vessel cells effectively trigger the generation of the alveoli, which are little balloon-like sacs within the lungs that inflate and deflate with each breath.

As Dr. Rafii explained, “Blood vessels are not just the inert plumbing that carries blood. They actively instruct organ regeneration...” It is hoped that someday in the future patients with COPD or other chronic lung diseases may benefit from a treatment derived from these findings.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/236928.phpFor more information about this study please visit http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/236928.php.