With contributions by numerous experts

Organ fibrosis seriously threatens human health. Globally, more than 30% of the diseases that cause disability and death are due to organ fibrosis. However, there have been so far only a few effective treatments for organ fibrosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is progressive, lethal fibrotic lung disease. Approximately, 10/100,000 people globally suffer from pulmonary fibrosis, and the incidence is on the rise. The median survival for patients is only 3-5 years. Currently there is no effective treatment for lung fibrosis. Therefore, new insights into lung fibrosis and therapeutic strategy should be explored and developed. This Research Topic aims to deepen the understanding and research on the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis to develop effective treatments. Studies have shown that effective lung repair and regeneration are critical biological processes for the restoration of original physiological function of lung after injury. The intrinsic ability of regeneration and repair is often suppressed in lung with chronic injury or the diseased organs, leading to fibrosis and loss of function. Targeting key pathways in the process of lung regeneration can promote the repair of the impaired lung and alleviate fibrosis in animal models. How to induce regeneration and repair of the impaired organ to alleviate fibrosis is a frontier research topic. Hence, this Research Topic focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of lung regeneration, repair, and fibrosis. Moreover, this topic will also focus on the study of lung development to provide new insights into the pathogenesis of lung injury and fibrosis.

This book presents state-of-the-art pre-clinical models and clinical applications of stem-cell-based therapies applied to different lung diseases, with a special focus on the translation of bench data into clinical studies. Starting with the assumption that abnormal lung tissue repair and regeneration has emerged as the driving force underlying pathogenesis and progression in many lung diseases, it sheds new light on the potential of stem/stromal cells as drivers of repair and sources of reparative factors in the lung. The first part of the book offers an overview of stem cell types and mechanisms involved in lung development, homeostasis, repair and regeneration, and reveals the crucial role of the extracellular matrix within the lung microenvironment. In the second part, leading experts present the latest pre-clinical evidence and clinical applications of stem-cell-based therapies in a wide variety of lung diseases, ranging from COPD and lung fibrosis to other rare lung diseases. The last section discusses stem cell delivery systems and devices, such as aerosolised spray application. This book appeals to pneumologists, stem cell and matrix biologists, as well as bioengeneers with a special interest in regenerative medicine applied to pulmonary diseases.

Lung Epithelial Biology in the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Disease provides a one-stop resource capturing developments in lung epithelial biology related to basic physiology, pathophysiology, and links to human disease. The book provides access to knowledge of molecular and cellular aspects of lung homeostasis and repair, including the molecular basis of lung epithelial intercellular communication and lung epithelial channels and transporters. Also included is coverage of lung epithelial biology as it relates to fluid balance, basic ion/fluid molecular processes, and human disease. Useful to physician and clinical scientists, the contents of this book compile the important and most current findings about the role of epithelial cells in lung disease. Medical and graduate students, postdoctoral and clinical fellows, as well as clinicians interested in the mechanistic basis for lung disease will benefit from the books examination of principles of lung epithelium functions in physiological condition. - Provides a single source of information on lung epithelial junctions and transporters - Discusses of the role of the epithelium in lung homeostasis and disease - Includes capsule summaries of main conclusions as well as highlights of future directions in the field - Covers the mechanistic basis for lung disease for a range of audiences

Knowledge about the mechanisms of lung development has been growing rapidly, especially with regard to cellular and molecular aspects of growth and differentiation. This authoritative international volume reviews key aspects of lung development in health and disease by providing a comprehensive review of the complex series of cellular and molecular interactions required for lung development. It covers such topics as pulmonary hypoplasia, effects of malnutrition, and pulmaonary angiogenesis. An indispensable reference for all those involved in studying or treating lung disease in neonates and children, the book offers a unique view of the development of this essential organ.

Advances in Tissue Engineering is a unique volume and the first of its kind to bring together leading names in the field of tissue engineering and stem cell research. A relatively young science, tissue engineering can be seen in both scientific and sociological contexts and successes in the field are now leading to clinical reality. This book attempts to define the path from basic science to practical application. A contribution from the UK Stem Cell Bank and opinions of venture capitalists offer a variety of viewpoints, and exciting new areas of stem cell biology are highlighted. With over fifty stellar contributors, this book presents the most up-to-date information in this very topical and exciting field./a