Mitochondrial metabolic regulation of lung epithelium: alveolar generation and regeneration

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening lung condition, leading to low oxygen levels in blood, that commonly develops after pneumonia and influenza infections. Scientists have recently discovered that mitochondria, small organelles in most living cells that were previously known for energy generation, actually play a role in regulating how stem cells develop into different cell types. This study seeks to better understand the mechanisms behind how mitochondria influence stem cells and their differentiation in the lungs, and eventually lead to new therapeutic targets to promote repair in lung tissue damaged by ARDS.