Stem Cells/Lung Organoids and Lung Rejuvenation in the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Pulmonary Emphysema

Currently, there are poor data regarding the role of stem cells in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and/or pulmonary emphysema and more human translational studies on this topic are mandatory. Moreover, the most important data regarding this topic are limited to in vitro studies, including lung organoids, and to in vivo studies, including animal models. Currently, this is an important area of research and the discovery of specific stem cells niches in the lower airways of normal human adults represents an important rationale to focus on the development of new clinical trials in COPD. It is mandatory to clarify these different cell subsets and their potential role in the pathogenesis of the different clinical phenotypes to design properly human clinical trials. In addition, the potential long-term side effects induced by stem cell therapy are still unknown. In this chapter we will review the role of stem cells in the pathogenesis of COPD and pulmonary emphysema, both during stable phase and exacerbations and their potential use for the treatment of these diseases.