Influenza virus impairs fibroblast growth factor receptor 2b dependent epithelial regeneration from a distal airway epithelial progenitor pool

IV (influenza virus) pneumonia is associated with apoptotic damage of the alveolar epithelial barrier and therefore efficient alveolar repair is crucial for recovery. Lineage tracing studies suggest that the adult lung contains epithelial progenitor cells which proliferate after injury. Fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10) plays a major role in lung development and is also known to have reparative, anti-apoptotic potential after injury. We therefore investigated if FGF10 would support alveolar epithelial repair processes after IV-induced pneumonia. Following IV infection or naphthalene treatment, epithelial proge…