[Progression and explores of airway basal cell in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Abstract

Airway basal cells (BCs) are adult stem cells in the airways, playing a crucial role in airway renewal and post-injury regeneration and repair. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airway inflammation and remodeling leading to incompletely reversible airflow limitation, significantly impairing patients' quality of life. COPD-related pathogenic factors can influence the genetic expression, proliferation, differentiation, and inflammatory regulation of BCs by altering their gene expression and molecular phenotypes, ultimately contributing to COPD-associated pathological changes. This article systematically reviews the changes in BCs during COPD progression and explores the potential and prospects of targeting BCs as a therapeutic approach for COPD from the perspective of regenerative medicine.