In bronchopulmonary dysplasia,the lungs of newborns become inflamed and scarred.Most infants recover,but some die.An experimental treatment cultures stem cells from a newborn's umbilical cord.The stem cells,in a lab dish,give rise to type II cells,which in turn give rise to more type I cells.In this treatment

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Type II cells in the lungs secrete surfactant, which helps keep the alveoli (where gas exchange occurs) from collapsing during expiration. Type I cells form the respiratory membrane, which is responsible for gas exchange. Therefore, in the experimental treatment for bronchopulmonary dysplasia, the type II cells that are cultured from the stem cells would secrete surfactant, while the type I cells would form the respiratory membrane.

In Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia,the Lungs of Newborns Become Inflamed and Scarred