Researchers discovered that immune cells actively guide the formation of human lung tissue, revolutionizing our understanding of early lung development and respiratory diseases. The findings may aid in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and childhood lung diseases. The study used single-cell technologies to create an immune cell atlas of the developing lung, uncovering the presence of immune cells as early as five weeks into development. The researchers identified key regulators of lung development and found that immune disturbances may lead to paediatric lung disease.
