Mashrafi Bhuiyan
Research Mentor: Rachel Zemans
Mentor Department: Internal Medicine, Medicine
Author(s): Rachel Zemans, Rachel Benedeck, Mashrafi Bhuiyan
Session: Session 4 (1:00 PM – 1:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Abstract
The alveolar epithelium lines the alveoli, air sacs at the end of the bronchioles, and is comprised of alveolar type 1 cells (AT1 cells) and alveolar type 2 cells (AT2 cells). The majority of the epithelium is composed of AT1 cells. AT1 cells play a crucial role in the gas exchange function of the lungs. After battling illnesses such as COVID-19 or severe pneumonia, many patients suffer from acute respiratory distress syndrome, also known as ARDS. When ARDS occurs, AT1 cells can die — the consequence of AT1 death is that a gap is formed within the alveolar epithelium, leaving the alveoli vulnerable to fluid uptake. When fluid flows into the alveoli, an oxygen shortage is caused as there is no longer efficient gas exchange, forcing the patient to be put on a ventilator. However, a margin of the AT1 cells manages to survive even in cases of lung damage. In the case that AT1 cells die, AT2 cells serve as progenitor cells, as they can differentiate into AT1 cells to minimize the damage to the lung. Our research project studies the extent to which AT1 cells will die after a massive attack on the lungs, and to what extent AT2 cells differentiate into AT1 cells. By studying the extent to which AT1 cells die, we can study the mechanisms behind their survival.
