Key factors for the differentiation of embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells into respiratory epithelial cells

The ability to ex-vivo produce respiratory epithelial cell types would offer novel cellular therapies targeting acquired or hereditary diseases of the airways and parenchyma of the lung, like cystic fibrosis and surfactant deficiencies. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) may represent a suitable cell source, but the efficiency of existing differentiation protocols towards lung epithelial cells is still low. Therefore, we aimed at identifying key factors which drive the differentiation of murine embryonic (ESCs) as well as murine induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into airway epithelial Clara cells and alveolar ep…