Challenge to search for lung progenitor cells and to develop alveolar type II cells from human iPS cells

在这项研究中，我们建立了将iPS细胞培养成肺泡细胞的原始方法。诱导群体表达了肺泡II型细胞所需的标记蛋白，如表面活性剂蛋白c。在开发诱导方法的过程中，我们发现了一个NKX2.1阳性细胞的表面标记物。该标记使我们能够分离出这些细胞和对该标记呈阳性的细胞，这些细胞发育成一系列气道和肺泡上皮细胞。本研究结果对进一步研究未分化细胞诱导肺泡细胞群具有重要意义。

In this study grant, we have established original methods to develop iPS cells into alveolar cells. The induced population expressed marker proteins such as surfactant protein-C, which are required for alveolar type II cells. In the process of developing induction methods, we have identified a surface marker for NKX2.1 positive cells. The marker enables us to isolate these cells and cells positive for this marker developed into a range of airway and alveolar epithelial cells. Our findings would contribute much for further research on inducing alveolar cell population from undiffereniated cells.