Lung diseases constitute a major global burden of health and are characterized by inflammation and chronic fibrosis resulting in a loss of gas exchange units. To date there has been no effective treatment to reverse these chronic inflammatory changes and tissue remodeling.

Recently stem cells have been shown to successfully treat animal models of lung disease. In addition certain cells have demonstrated a capacity to differentiate into lung cells. Based on these preliminary data, there are clinical trials underway to examine the potential for cellular therapies in lung disease. Recently there have been a variety of cell examined for both their immunomodulatory effects on the lung as well as their potential for differentiation into lung cells. These range from lung progenitor cells,...