Notch signaling in lung development and disease

Abstract

Notch signaling plays an essential role in development and homeostasis of multiple organs including the lung. Dysregulation of Notch signaling has been implicated in various lung diseases including lung cancer. Here we review functions of Notch signaling in coordinating events during lung development, such as early proximodistal fate generation and branching, airway epithelial cell fate specification, alveogenesis and pulmonary vascular development. We also discuss roles of Notch in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, progressive pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, asthma and lung cancer. © 2012 Landes Bioscience and Springer Science+Business Media.