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Stem and Progenitor Cells of the Trachea and Proximal Airways

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Stem Cells in the Lung

Part of the book series: Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine ((STEMCELL))

Abstract

The proximal airway epithelium plays a vital role in host defense through the process of mucociliary clearance. This epithelium is constantly being injured by exposure to toxins and microbials from the environment, but it has an efficient repair mechanism originating from its endogenous stem cells. However, with chronic injury, this repair process can go awry and result in several airway diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and lung cancer. Understanding the proximal airway epithelium, its stem cell subpopulations, its development, its niche, and the mechanisms regulating its repair are all critical for ultimately developing novel therapies for airway diseases.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan

    Ahmed E. Hegab & Tomoko Betsuyaku

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Mattel Children’s Hospital, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Brigitte N. Gomperts

  3. Pulmonary Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Brigitte N. Gomperts

  4. Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Brigitte N. Gomperts

  5. Eli and Edythe Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Brigitte N. Gomperts

Authors
  1. Ahmed E. Hegab
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  2. Tomoko Betsuyaku
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  3. Brigitte N. Gomperts
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ahmed E. Hegab .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lung Health Research Centre, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Ivan Bertoncello

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Hegab, A.E., Betsuyaku, T., Gomperts, B.N. (2015). Stem and Progenitor Cells of the Trachea and Proximal Airways. In: Bertoncello, I. (eds) Stem Cells in the Lung. Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21082-7_6

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