| First Author | Kaiser KA | Year | 2023 |
| Journal | J Exp Med | Volume | 220 |
| Issue | 3 | PubMed ID | 36534084 |
| Mgi Jnum | J:352926 | Mgi Id | MGI:7493064 |
| Doi | 10.1084/jem.20221462 | Citation | Kaiser KA, et al. (2023) Regulation of the alveolar regenerative niche by amphiregulin-producing regulatory T cells. J Exp Med 220(3) |
| abstractText | Following respiratory viral infection, regeneration of the epithelial barrier is required to preserve lung function and prevent secondary infections. Lung regulatory T (Treg) cells are critical for maintaining blood oxygenation following influenza virus infection through production of the EGFR ligand amphiregulin (Areg); however, how Treg cells engage with progenitors within the alveolar niche is unknown. Here, we describe local interactions between Treg cells and an Areg-responsive population of Col14a1+EGFR+ lung mesenchymal cells that mediate type II alveolar epithelial (AT2) cell-mediated regeneration following influenza virus infection. We propose a mechanism whereby Treg cells are deployed to sites of damage and provide pro-survival cues that support mesenchymal programming of the alveolar niche. In the absence of fibroblast EGFR signaling, we observe impaired AT2 proliferation and disrupted lung remodeling following viral clearance, uncovering a crucial immune/mesenchymal/epithelial network that guides alveolar regeneration. |
