Glowing lungs in hands, surrounded by swirling mist.

Can Stem Cells Heal Tiny Lungs?

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Stem cell therapy shows promise in treating Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) and improving lung health in premature babies."

Premature birth is a growing concern, affecting a significant percentage of births worldwide and leading to numerous complications. With advancements in perinatal care, more premature infants are surviving, but they face serious health challenges, including Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD). BPD, a chronic lung disease, disrupts normal lung development and can lead to long-term respiratory problems.

Alveolar epithelial type 2 cells (AEC2s) play a crucial role in lung health, acting as progenitor cells that promote lung repair and growth. In infants with BPD, these cells are often depleted, contributing to persistent lung injury. Scientists are exploring innovative approaches to prevent and treat BPD, with stem cell therapy emerging as a promising option.

Recent research investigates the potential of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to generate healthy lung cells and repair damaged lungs. This article examines the findings of a study where iPSC-derived lung progenitor cells and AEC2s were used to treat hyperoxia-induced lung injury in a mouse model, mimicking the conditions that lead to BPD in premature infants. This research sheds light on the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of using stem cell therapy to combat BPD and other lung diseases.

Stem Cells to the Rescue: How iPSC-Derived Cells Protect Damaged Lungs

Glowing lungs in hands, surrounded by swirling mist.

The study explored whether introducing iPSC-derived AECs could prevent lung damage in a BPD model. The approach involved delivering mouse AECs (mAECs), undifferentiated murine and human iPSCs, iPSC-derived lung progenitor cells (LPCs), and iPSC-derived AECs into the airways of newborn mice exposed to hyperoxia. The researchers pre-labeled the cells with a fluorescent dye to track them within the mice.

Here's what the research team discovered:

Primary mAECs: Prevented hyperoxia-induced impairment in lung function and alveolar growth.
Murine Pluripotent Cells: Similar to human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (hUCMSCs), undifferentiated murine iPSCs preserved lung function and alveolar growth.
iPSC Concerns: Long-term assessment of iPSC administration revealed local teratoma formation and cellular infiltration in various organs.
The iPSC Solution: Using a highly efficient method to differentiate iPSCs into homogenous AEC2s.
hiPSC-Derived AEC2s and LPCs: Airway delivery of these cells improved lung function and structure, resulting in long-term engraftment without tumor formation.

The results showed that administering primary mouse AECs and undifferentiated murine pluripotent cells prevented hyperoxia-induced impairments in lung function and alveolar growth. Like hUCMSC therapy, undifferentiated human iPSCs also preserved lung function and alveolar growth in hyperoxia-exposed mice. Importantly, using a highly efficient method to differentiate iPSCs into AEC2s, the airway delivery of these cells improved lung function and structure without long-term tumor formation.

A Promising Path Forward

This research offers hope for treating BPD and other lung diseases characterized by AEC injury. The study demonstrates that iPSC-derived AEC2 therapy is effective and safe in a mouse model, warranting further exploration as a therapeutic option.

Further research is needed to optimize iPSC differentiation protocols, improve cell delivery methods, and conduct long-term safety and efficacy studies. However, the potential of stem cell therapy to regenerate damaged lung tissue and improve outcomes for premature infants is undeniable.

As the field advances, stem cell therapy may revolutionize the treatment of BPD and other respiratory illnesses, offering a brighter future for those affected by these challenging conditions.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2017.09.003, Alternate LINK

Title: Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell–Derived Lung Progenitor And Alveolar Epithelial Cells Attenuate Hyperoxia-Induced Lung Injury

Subject: Cancer Research

Journal: Cytotherapy

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Mehdi Shafa, Lavinia Iuliana Ionescu, Arul Vadivel, Jennifer J.P. Collins, Liqun Xu, Shumei Zhong, Martin Kang, Geneviève De Caen, Manijeh Daneshmand, Jenny Shi, Katherine Z. Fu, Andrew Qi, Ying Wang, James Ellis, William L. Stanford, Bernard Thébaud

Published: 2018-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) and why are premature infants susceptible?

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung condition that affects premature infants, disrupting normal lung development. This occurs because the Alveolar epithelial type 2 cells (AEC2s) that help with lung repair and growth, are often depleted, causing lasting lung damage and respiratory challenges. While advancements in perinatal care have increased survival rates for premature babies, they are still at risk of developing BPD.

How does stem cell therapy show promise in treating damaged lungs?

The research suggests that stem cell-derived Alveolar epithelial type 2 cells (AEC2s), specifically those generated from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), can repair damaged lungs in a mouse model of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD). Introducing these cells into the airways improved lung function and structure, showing that this method is effective and has the potential to treat other lung diseases with AEC2 injury.

What were the key findings regarding the use of stem cells in treating hyperoxia-induced lung injury?

The study revealed that primary mouse Alveolar epithelial cells (mAECs) and undifferentiated murine pluripotent cells can prevent hyperoxia-induced impairment in lung function and alveolar growth. Similar to human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (hUCMSCs), undifferentiated human iPSCs also preserved lung function and alveolar growth in hyperoxia-exposed mice. Differentiated iPSC-derived AEC2s improved lung function and structure.

What are the potential risks associated with using undifferentiated iPSCs, and how can these risks be mitigated?

The use of undifferentiated iPSCs can lead to teratoma formation and cellular infiltration. Differentiating iPSCs into homogenous Alveolar epithelial type 2 cells (AEC2s) addresses this risk. When iPSCs are properly differentiated into AEC2s and delivered via the airway, it improves lung function and structure without causing tumor formation.

What are the broader implications of stem cell therapy for treating Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) and other lung diseases, particularly in premature infants?

Stem cell therapy, specifically using iPSC-derived Alveolar epithelial type 2 cells (AEC2s) and lung progenitor cells, offers hope for premature infants at risk of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD). This innovative approach could potentially prevent and treat BPD by repairing damaged lungs and promoting healthy lung development. Continued research in this area could lead to more effective and safer treatments, providing long-term respiratory health benefits for premature infants.