A role for platelet-derived growth factor-BB in rat postpneumonectomy compensatory lung growth

Inhalational delivery of induced pluripotent stem cell secretome improves postpneumonectomy lung structure and function

Cell-free secretory products (secretome) of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been shown to attenuate tissue injury and facilitate repair and recovery. To examine whether iPSC secretome facilitates mechanically induced compensatory responses following unilateral pneumonectomy (PNX), litter-matched young adult female hounds underwent right PNX (removing 55%-58% of lung units), followed by inhalational delivery of either the nebulized-conditioned media containing induced pluripotent stem cell secretome (iPSC CM) or control cell-free media (CFM); inhalation was repeated every 5 days for 10 treatments. Lung function was measured under anesthesia pre-PNX and 10 days after the last treatment (8 wk post-PNX); detailed quantitative analysis of lung ultrastructure was performed postmortem. Pre-PNX lung function was similar between groups. Compared with CFM control, treatment with iPSC CM attenuated the post-PNX decline in lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide and membrane diffusing capacity, accompanied by a 24% larger postmortem lobar volume and distal air spaces. Alveolar double-capillary profiles were 39% more prevalent consistent with enhanced intussusceptive angiogenesis. Frequency distribution of the harmonic mean thickness of alveolar blood-gas barrier shifted toward the lowest values, whereas alveolar septal tissue volume and arithmetic septal thickness were similar, indicating septal remodeling and reduced diffusive resistance of the blood-gas barrier. Thus, repetitive inhalational delivery of iPSC secretome enhanced post-PNX alveolar angiogenesis and septal remodeling that are associated with improved gas exchange compensation. Results highlight the plasticity of the remaining lung units following major loss of lung mass that are responsive to broad-based modulation provided by the iPSC secretome.NEW & NOTEWORTHY To examine whether the secreted products of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) facilitate innate adaptive responses following loss of lung tissue, adult dogs underwent surgical removal of one lung, then received repeated administration of iPSC secretory products via inhalational delivery compared with control treatment. Inhalation of iPSC secretory products enhanced capillary formation and beneficial structural remodeling in the remaining lung, leading to improved lung function.

Comparative analysis of the mechanical signals in lung development and compensatory growth

This review compares the manner in which physical stress imposed on the parenchyma, vasculature and thorax and the thoraco-pulmonary interactions, drive both developmental and compensatory lung growth. Re-initiation of anatomical lung growth in the mature lung is possible when the loss of functioning lung units renders the existing physiologic-structural reserves insufficient for maintaining adequate function and physical stress on the remaining units exceeds a critical threshold. The appropriate spatial and temporal mechanical interrelationships and the availability of intra-thoracic space, are crucial to growth initiation, follow-on remodeling and physiological outcome. While the endogenous potential for compensatory lung growth is retained and may be pharmacologically augmented, supra-optimal mechanical stimulation, unbalanced structural growth, or inadequate remodeling may limit functional gain. Finding ways to optimize the signal-response relationships and resolve structure-function discrepancies are major challenges that must be overcome before the innate compensatory ability could be fully realized. Partial pneumonectomy reproducibly removes a known fraction of functioning lung units and remains the most robust model for examining the adaptive mechanisms, structure-function consequences and plasticity of the remaining functioning lung units capable of regeneration. Fundamental mechanical stimulus-response relationships established in the pneumonectomy model directly inform the exploration of effective approaches to maximize compensatory growth and function in chronic destructive lung diseases, transplantation and bioengineered lungs.

Lung Structure and the Intrinsic Challenges of Gas Exchange

Structural and functional complexities of the mammalian lung evolved to meet a unique set of challenges, namely, the provision of efficient delivery of inspired air to all lung units within a confined thoracic space, to build a large gas exchange surface associated with minimal barrier thickness and a microvascular network to accommodate the entire right ventricular cardiac output while withstanding cyclic mechanical stresses that increase several folds from rest to exercise. Intricate regulatory mechanisms at every level ensure that the dynamic capacities of ventilation, perfusion, diffusion, and chemical binding to hemoglobin are commensurate with usual metabolic demands and periodic extreme needs for activity and survival. This article reviews the structural design of mammalian and human lung, its functional challenges, limitations, and potential for adaptation. We discuss (i) the evolutionary origin of alveolar lungs and its advantages and compromises, (ii) structural determinants of alveolar gas exchange, including architecture of conducting bronchovascular trees that converge in gas exchange units, (iii) the challenges of matching ventilation, perfusion, and diffusion and tissue-erythrocyte and thoracopulmonary interactions. The notion of erythrocytes as an integral component of the gas exchanger is emphasized. We further discuss the signals, sources, and limits of structural plasticity of the lung in alveolar hypoxia and following a loss of lung units, and the promise and caveats of interventions aimed at augmenting endogenous adaptive responses. Our objective is to understand how individual components are matched at multiple levels to optimize organ function in the face of physiological demands or pathological constraints.

Alterations in expression of elastogenic and angiogenic genes by different conditions of mechanical ventilation in newborn rat lung

Mechanical ventilation is an important risk factor for development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Here we investigated the effects of different tidal volumes (VT) and duration of ventilation on expression of genes involved in alveolarization [tropoelastin (Eln), lysyloxidase-like 1 (Loxl1), fibulin5 (Fbln5), and tenascin-C (Tnc)] and angiogenesis [platelet derived growth factors (Pdgf) and vascular endothelial growth factors (Vegf) and their receptors] in 8-day-old rats. First, pups were ventilated for 8 h with low (LVT: 3.5 ml/kg), moderate (MVT: 8.5 ml/kg), or high (HVT: 25 ml/kg) tidal volumes. LVT and MVT decreased Tnc expression, whereas HVT increased expression of all three elastogenic genes and Tnc. PDGF α-receptor mRNA was increased in all ventilation groups, while Pdgfb expression was decreased after MVT and HVT ventilation. Only HVT ventilation upregulated Vegf expression. Independent of VT, ventilation upregulated Vegfr1 expression, while MVT and HVT downregulated Vegfr2 expression. Next, we evaluated duration (0-24 h) of MVT ventilation on gene expression. Although expression of all elastogenic genes peaked at 12 h of ventilation, only Fbln5 was negatively affected at 24 h. Tnc expression decreased with duration of ventilation. Changes in expression of Pdgfr and Vegfr were maximal at 8 h of ventilation. Disturbed elastin fiber deposition and decrease in small vessel density was only observed after 24 h. Thus, an imbalance between Fbln5 and Eln expression may trigger dysregulated elastin fiber deposition during the first 24 h of mechanical ventilation. Furthermore, ventilation-induced alterations in Pdgf and Vegf receptor expression are tidal volume dependent and may affect pulmonary vessel formation.

Lung regeneration and translational implications of the postpneumonectomy model

Lung regeneration research is yielding data with increasing translational value. The classical models of lung development, postnatal alveolarization, and postpneumonectomy alveolarization have contributed to a broader understanding of the cellular participants including stem-progenitor cells, cell-cell signaling pathways, and the roles of mechanical deformation and other physiologic factors that have the potential to be modulated in human and animal patients. Although recent information is available describing the lineage fate of lung fibroblasts, genetic fate mapping, and clonal studies are lacking in the study of lung regeneration and deserve further examination. In addition to increasing knowledge concerning classical alveolarization (postnatal, postpneumonectomy), there is increasing evidence for remodeling of the adult lung after partial pneumonectomy. Though limited in scope, compelling data have emerged describing restoration of lung tissue mass in the adult human and in large animal models. The basis for this long-term adaptation to pneumonectomy is poorly understood, but investigations into mechanisms of lung regeneration in older animals that have lost their capacity for rapid re-alveolarization are warranted, as there would be great translational value in modulating these mechanisms. In addition, quantitative morphometric analysis has progressed in conjunction with developments in advanced imaging, which allow for longitudinal and nonterminal evaluation of pulmonary regenerative responses in animals and humans. This review focuses on the cellular and molecular events that have been observed in animals and humans after pneumonectomy because this model is closest to classical regeneration in other mammalian systems and has revealed several new fronts of translational research that deserve consideration.

Physiological and pathological angiogenesis in the adult pulmonary circulation

Angiogenesis occurs during growth and physiological adaptation in many systemic organs, for example, exercise-induced skeletal and cardiac muscle hypertrophy, ovulation, and tissue repair. Disordered angiogenesis contributes to chronic inflammatory disease processes and to tumor growth and metastasis. Although it was previously thought that the adult pulmonary circulation was incapable of supporting new vessel growth, over that past 10 years new data have shown that angiogenesis within this circulation occurs both during physiological adaptive processes and as part of the pathogenic mechanisms of lung diseases. Here we review the expression of vascular growth factors in the adult lung, their essential role in pulmonary vascular homeostasis and the changes in their expression that occur in response to physiological challenges and in disease. We consider the evidence for adaptive neovascularization in the pulmonary circulation in response to alveolar hypoxia and during lung growth following pneumonectomy in the adult lung. In addition, we review the role of disordered angiogenesis in specific lung diseases including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, acute adult distress syndrome and both primary and metastatic tumors of the lung. Finally, we examine recent experimental data showing that therapeutic enhancement of pulmonary angiogenesis has the potential to treat lung diseases characterized by vessel loss.

Spatial dependence of alveolar angiogenesis in post-pneumonectomy lung growth

Growth of the remaining lung after pneumonectomy has been observed in many mammalian species; nonetheless, the pattern and morphology of alveolar angiogenesis during compensatory growth is unknown. Here, we investigated alveolar angiogenesis in a murine model of post-pneumonectomy lung growth. As expected, the volume and weight of the remaining lung returned to near-baseline levels within 21 days of pneumonectomy. The percentage increase in lobar weight was greatest in the cardiac lobe (P < 0.001). Cell cycle flow cytometry demonstrated a peak of lung cell proliferation (12.02 ± 1.48%) 6 days after pneumonectomy. Spatial autocorrelation analysis of the cardiac lobe demonstrated clustering of similar vascular densities (positive autocorrelation) that consistently mapped to subpleural regions of the cardiac lobe. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated increased cell density and enhanced expression of angiogenesis-related factors VEGFA, and GLUT1 in these subpleural regions. Corrosion casting and scanning electron microscopy 3-6 days after pneumonectomy demonstrated subpleural vessels with angiogenic sprouts. The monopodial sprouts appeared to be randomly oriented along the vessel axis with interbranch distances of 11.4 ± 4.8 μm in the regions of active angiogenesis. Also present within the regions of increased vascular density were frequent "holes" or "pillars" consistent with active intussusceptive angiogenesis. The mean pillar diameter was 4.2 ± 3.8 μm, and the pillars were observed in all regions of active angiogenesis. These findings indicate that the process of alveolar construction involves discrete regions of regenerative growth, particularly in the subpleural regions of the cardiac lobe, characterized by both sprouting and intussusceptive angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis gene expression in murine endothelial cells during post-pneumonectomy lung growth

Although blood vessel growth occurs readily in the systemic bronchial circulation, angiogenesis in the pulmonary circulation is rare. Compensatory lung growth after pneumonectomy is an experimental model with presumed alveolar capillary angiogenesis. To investigate the genes participating in murine neoalveolarization, we studied the expression of angiogenesis genes in lung endothelial cells. After left pneumonectomy, the remaining right lung was examined on days 3, 6, 14 and 21days after surgery and compared to both no surgery and sham thoracotomy controls. The lungs were enzymatically digested and CD31⁺ endothelial cells were isolated using flow cytometry cell sorting. The transcriptional profile of the CD31⁺ endothelial cells was assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) arrays. Focusing on 84 angiogenesis-associated genes, we identified 22 genes with greater than 4-fold regulation and significantly enhanced transcription (p <.05) within 21 days of pneumonectomy. Cluster analysis of the 22 genes indicated that changes in gene expression did not occur in a single phase, but in at least four waves of gene expression: a wave demonstrating decreased gene expression more than 3 days after pneumonectomy and 3 sequential waves of increased expression on days 6, 14, and 21 after pneumonectomy. These findings indicate that a network of gene interactions contributes to angiogenesis during compensatory lung growth.

Long-term failure of alveologenesis after an early short-term exposure to a PDGF-receptor antagonist

Survivors of moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia have impaired alveologenesis lasting at least into early adult life. The mechanisms underlying this long-term effect are unknown. We hypothesized that short-term inhibition of growth factor-mediated early alveolar formation would result in a long-term impairment of subsequent alveologenesis. Neonatal rats were injected daily with the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor antagonist, imatinib mesylate, from day 1-7 of life, to inhibit the early alveolar formation occurring by in-growth of secondary crests into precursor saccules. The pups were then allowed to recover for 7, 14, 21, or 58 days. In imatinib-treated pups, DNA synthesis in total lung cells, and specifically in cells of secondary crests, was reduced at day 8 of life, had rebounded on day 14 of life but was then again reduced by day 28 of life. At day 8 of life, imatinib-treated pups had impaired alveologenesis as reflected by a decrease in secondary crests, an increase in alveolar size, and an overall decrease in both estimated alveolar number and generations compared with age-matched controls. No meaningful recovery was observed, even after a 21- or 58-day recovery period. The lungs of imatinib-treated pups had increased fibulin-5 content and an abnormal deposition of elastin. We conclude that reduced signaling through the PDGF pathways, at an early stage of alveologenesis, can result in long-lasting changes in lung architecture. A likely mechanism is through impaired formation of the elastin scaffold required for alveolarization.

Early alterations of growth factor patterns in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from preterm infants developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Chronic lung disease of prematurity (bronchopulmonary dysplasia; BPD) is characterized by an arrest in lung development. We hypothesized that early alterations in pulmonary expression of growth factors important for normal lung development would precede development of BPD. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained from ventilated preterm infants (n = 62) on postnatal d 0, 1, 3, and 7 and analyzed for total phospholipids (PL), VEGF, PDGF-BB, TGF-alpha and -beta1, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). Levels (Ln transformed) were compared between infants developing BPD and BPD-free survivors, adjusted for potential confounders. BPD was associated with higher overall GM-CSF (beta (95% CI) = 0.69 (0.13;1.25); p < 0.05), lower overall latent TGF-beta1 (beta (95% CI) = -1.19 (-1.87, -0.39); p < 0.01) and total PL (beta (95% CI) = -0.64 (-1.23, -0.05); p < 0.05), and lower d 0 and 3 levels of VEGF (mean difference (95% CI) = -1.75 (-2.72, -0.77), p < 0.001; and -1.18 (-2.30, -0.06), p < 0.05, respectively) and TGF-alpha (mean difference (95% CI) = -0.73 (-1.42, -0.04), p < 0.05; and -1.01 (-1.64, -0.38), p < 0.01, respectively). Day 0 VEGF levels had the highest predictive value for BPD (area under receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.87; p < 0.01). In conclusion, substantial alterations in BALF growth factor levels are present in infants developing BPD. An early imbalance in pulmonary growth factors may contribute to the developmental arrest of the lung seen in BPD.

Fibroblast growth factor-2 and receptor-1alpha(IIIc) regulate postnatal rat lung cell apoptosis

RATIONALE

Fibroblast growth factor receptor-1alpha(IIIc) [FGF-R1alpha(IIIc)] regulates recovery of neonatal rat lung growth, after 95% oxygen-mediated growth arrest. Its role in normal postnatal alveologenesis is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if FGF-R1alpha(IIIc) regulates normal postnatal alveologenesis.

METHODS

Truncated soluble FGF-R1alpha(IIIc) or neutralizing antibodies to FGF-1 or FGF-2 were injected intraperitoneally into 3-d-old rats. The pups were killed at Day 7 for studies of alveolar development.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Injected, truncated soluble FGF-R1alpha(IIIc) inhibited phosphorylation of the endogenous FGF-R1, and downstream pathway, and paradoxically increased lung DNA content and tissue fraction while inhibiting lung cell DNA synthesis. The increase in tissue thickness was due to reduced apoptosis, as indicated by reductions in cleaved effector caspases 3 and 7. Inhibition of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway was suggested by decreases in the proapoptotic protein Bax and mitochondrial cytochrome c release, and an increase in the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-x(L). Injected antibodies to FGF-1 and FGF-2 had no effect on DNA synthesis, but both increased Bcl-x(L) content and decreased cytochrome c release and cleaved caspase-7 protein expression. However, only injection of the antibody to FGF-2 replicated the increased tissue fraction and inhibited apoptosis observed with the injection of truncated soluble FGF-R1alpha(IIIc).

CONCLUSIONS

Inhibition of ligand binding, most likely of FGF-2, to the FGF-R1alpha(IIIc) inhibits normal postnatal lung cell apoptosis.

Abnormal development of the intercostal muscles and the rib cage in Myf5-/- embryos leads to pulmonary hypoplasia

The aim of our study was to investigate the importance of pulmonary distension and fetal breathing-like movements executed by the contractile activity of the intercostal respiratory muscles for proper lung growth and maturation. Lung development in Myf5-/- embryos, lacking the rib cage and functional intercostal musculature, was compared with wild-type controls at embryonic days 14.5, 16.5, and 18.5. Our data revealed that Myf5-/- embryos suffered from pulmonary hypoplasia in part due to the decreased number of proliferating lung cells and in part due to the increased number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) -positive cells. In addition, the proximal-to-distal expression gradient of thyroid transcription factor-1 observed in wild-type embryos was not maintained in Myf5-/- embryos. The number of lung cells expressing platelet-derived growth factor-BB, its receptor and insulin growth factor-I was significantly decreased in the hypoplastic lung. By contrast, no difference in the expression pattern of surfactant associated proteins or Clara cells marker was detected between wild-type and Myf5-/- embryos. Collectively, our data suggest that the mechanochemical signal transduction pathway used in vitro is also effective in vivo influencing lung growth but not lung cell maturation and resulting in lung hypoplasia. These data affirm the role of fetal breathing-like movements in lung organogenesis.

Signals and mechanisms of compensatory lung growth

Growth of the lung involves unique structure-function interactions not seen in solid organs. Mechanical feedback between the lung and thorax constitutes a major signal that sustains developmental as well as compensatory lung growth. After the loss of lung units as by pneumonectomy (PNX), increased mechanical stress and strain on the remaining units induce adaptive responses to augment oxygen transport, including 1) recruitment of alveolar-capillary reserves, 2) remodeling of existing tissue, and 3) regenerative growth of acinar tissue when strain exceeds a critical threshold. Alveolar hypoxia, hormones, and growth factors may feed into the mechanical feedback system to modify an existing growth response but are unlikely to initiate compensatory growth in the absence of sufficient mechanical signals. Whereas endogenous post-PNX alveolar growth preserves normal structure-function relationships, experimental manipulation of selected metabolic pathways can distort these relationships. Finally, PNX widens the disparity between the rapidly adapting acini and slowly adapting conducting airways and blood vessels, leading to disproportionate airflow and hemodynamic dysfunction and secondary hypertrophy of the right ventricle and respiratory muscles that limits overall organ function despite regeneration of gas exchange tissue. These are key concepts to consider when formulating approaches to stimulate or augment compensatory growth in chronic lung disease.

A role for platelet-derived growth factor beta-receptor in a newborn rat model of endothelin-mediated pulmonary vascular remodeling

Newborn rats exposed to 60% O2 for 14 days develop endothelin (ET)-1-dependent pulmonary hypertension with vascular remodeling, characterized by increased smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and medial thickening of pulmonary resistance arteries. Using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses, we examined the effect of exposure to 60% O2 on expression in the lung of receptors for the platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF), which are implicated in the pathogenesis of arterial smooth muscle hyperplasia. We observed a marked O2-induced upregulation of PDGF-alpha and -beta receptors (PDGF-alphaR and -betaR) on arterial smooth muscle. This led us to examine pulmonary vascular PDGF receptor expression in 60% O2-exposed rats given SB-217242, a combined ET receptor antagonist, which we found prevented the O2-induced upregulation of PDGF-betaR, but not PDGF-alphaR, on arterial smooth muscle. PDGF-BB, a major PDGF-betaR ligand, was found to be a potent in vitro inducer of hyperplasia and DNA synthesis in cultured pulmonary artery SMC from infant rats. A critical role for PDGF-betaR ligands in arterial SMC proliferation was confirmed in vivo using a truncated soluble PDGF-betaR intervention, which attenuated SMC proliferation induced by exposure to 60% O2. Collectively, these data are consistent with a major role for PDGF-betaR-mediated SMC proliferation, acting downstream of increased ET-1 in a newborn rat model of 60% O2-induced pulmonary hypertension.

Upregulation of hypoxia-induced mitogenic factor in compensatory lung growth after pneumonectomy

After pneumonectomy, the remaining lung increases in size. This process is referred to as compensatory lung growth. Various pathways likely play important roles in this growth response. The molecular mechanisms involved in compensatory lung growth, however, remain poorly understood. Hypoxia-induced mitogenic factor (HIMF), also called FIZZ1 or RELM-alpha, possesses mitogenic, vasoconstrictive, angiogenic, and antiapoptotic effects. In this study, we examined the expression of HIMF in mouse lung after pneumonectomy to test the hypothesis that HIMF expression is upregulated during compensatory lung growth. Results showed that HIMF is upregulated from Day 1 after pneumonectomy and peaking at Day 7 in the lung. HIMF upregulation is temporally and spatially related to lung cell proliferation, as demonstrated by expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization showed that upregulated HIMF protein and mRNA are mainly distributed in airway epithelium, alveolar type II cells, and endothelial cells of the pulmonary vessels. Intratracheal instillation of recombinant HIMF resulted in widespread cell proliferation, including airway epithelium, alveolar type II cells, and cells in the alveolar septa. These results indicate a new role for HIMF in compensatory lung growth, which is that HIMF may act as a lung-specific growth factor and participate in lung regeneration after pneumonectomy.

Lessons from a canine model of compensatory lung growth

For over a century, canines have been used to study adaptation to surgical lung resection or pneumonectomy (PNX) that results in a quantifiable and reproducible loss of lung units. As reviewed by Schilling (1965), the first successful experimental pneumonectomies were performed in dogs and rabbits in 1881. By the early 1920s, it was appreciated that dogs can function normally with one remaining lung that increases in volume to fill the thoracic cavity (Andrus, 1923; Heuer and Andrus, 1922; Heuer and Dunn, 1920); these pioneering observations paved the way for surgeons to perform major lung resection in patients. Reports in the 1950s (Schilling et al., 1956) detail surprisingly well-preserved work performance in dogs following staged resection of up to 70% of lung mass. Since then, the bulk of the literature on post-PNX adaptation has shifted to rodents, especially for defining molecular mediators of compensatory lung growth. Because rodents are smaller and easier to handle, more animals can be studied over a shorter duration, resulting in time and cost savings. On the other hand, key aspects of lung anatomy, development, and time course of response in the rodent do not mimic those in the human subject, and few rodent studies have related structural adaptation to functional consequences. In larger mammals, anatomical lung development more closely resembles that in humans, and physiological function can be readily measured. Because dogs are natural athletes, functional limits of compensation can be characterized relatively easily by stressing oxygen transport at peak exercise. Thus, the canine model remains useful for relating structure to function, defining sources and limits of adaptation as well as evaluating therapeutic manipulation. This chapter summarizes key concepts of compensatory lung growth that have been consolidated from canine studies: (i) structure-function relationships during adaptation, (ii) dysanaptic (unequal) nature of compensation, and (iii) signals for initiation of cellular growth.

Circulating vascular progenitor cells do not contribute to compensatory lung growth

The biological principles that underlie the induction and process of alveolization in the lung as well as the maintenance of the complex lung tissue structure are one of the major obstacles in pulmonary medicine today. Bone marrow-derived cells have been shown to participate in angiogenesis, vascular repair, and remodeling of various organs. We addressed this phenomenon in the lung vasculature of mice in a model of regenerative lung growth. C57BL/6 mice were transplanted with bone marrow from one of three different reporter gene-transgenic strains. flk-1+/lacZ mice, tie-2/lacZ transgenic mice (both exhibiting endothelial cell-specific reporter gene expression), and ubiquitously enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)-expressing mice served as marrow donors. After hematopoietic recovery, compensatory lung growth was induced by unilateral pneumonectomy and led to complete restoration of initial lung volume and surface area. The lungs were consecutively investigated for bone marrow-derived vascular cells by lacZ staining and immunohistochemistry for phenotype identification of vascular cells. lacZ- or eGFP-expressing bone marrow-derived endothelial cells could not be found in microvascular regions of alveolar septa. Single eGFP-positive endothelial cells were detected in pulmonary arteries at very low frequencies, whereas no eGFP-positive vascular smooth muscle cells were observed. In conclusion, we demonstrate in a model of lung growth and alveolization in adult mice the absence of significant bone marrow-derived progenitor cell contribution to the concomitant vascular growth and remodeling processes.