Depletion of Airway Submucosal Glands and TP63 ⁺ KRT5 ⁺ Basal Cells in Obliterative Bronchiolitis

Abstract

SMGs and basal SC compartments are depleted in large and/or small airways of lung allografts, and basal SC proliferative capacity declines with progression of disease and phenotypic changes. Global airway SC depletion may be a mechanism for pulmonary allograft failure.