Severe influenza A virus (IAV) pneumonia is characterized by extensive distal airway and alveolar injury. Our data reveal that IAV infection and the associated inflammation of the distal stem cell niche significantly impair injury resolution and stem/progenitor cell mediated repair. In the current project, we aim to elucidate the molecular events and cross-talk signals within the stem cell niche that are activated by distinct host factors identified in the previous funding periods as crucial repair drivers that might foster host defense and drive stem cell-mediated lung regeneration following virus-induced pneumonia, with a focus on the putative GM-CSF-AMPK signaling axis.
DFG Programme
Collaborative Research Centres
