Fgf10 overexpression prevents lung injury in a BPD model

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease of preterm infants. It is most common in children born before 28th week of gestational age with low birth weight and prolonged oxygen supplementation. BPD is characterised by arrested lung growth, with decreased alveolarisation and a dysmorphic vascular structure, leading to reduced surface area for gas exchange. We hypothesized that Fgf10 plays an important role in alveogenesis in BPD. We established a mouse model of BPD by exposing the pups (control and experimental groups) to 85% oxygen (hyperoxia) or normoxia for 28 days. In the experimental group, w…