Multilineage circuits of regenerative cell states

Regenerating the lungs' architecture after injury requires rebuilding its fibroelastic extracellular matrix scaffold. Konkimalla et al. establish that regenerative cell states (RCSs) of both epithelial and mesenchymal origin are functionally linked and indispensable for this process. Experimental ablation of RCSs causes organ degeneration, whereas their induction causes organ fibrosis. Regenerating the lungs' architecture after injury requires rebuilding its fibroelastic extracellular matrix scaffold. Konkimalla et al. establish that regenerative cell states (RCSs) of both epithelial and mesenchymal origin are functionally linked and indispensable for this process. Experimental ablation of RCSs causes organ degeneration, whereas their induction causes organ fibrosis. Transitional cell states sculpt tissue topology during lung regenerationKonkimalla et al.Cell Stem CellNovember 02, 2023In BriefTata and colleagues described a critical role for repair-associated transitional states that emerge from progenitors in alveolar remodeling and reorganization. Impaired crosstalk or imbalance in epithelial and fibroblast transitional states can alter extracellular matrix abundance and organization and lead to topologically distinct phenotypes similar to human lung fibrosis and emphysema. Full-Text PDF