This study uncovers the pivotal role of alveolar myofibroblasts (AMFs) in lung development, homeostasis, and regeneration. Using genetic lineage tracing, scRNA-seq, and 3D-histology, we demonstrate that AMFs not only orchestrate alveolar formation during early development but also persist into adulthood as a latent hedgehog-responsive population. Upon injury—whether pneumonectomy, cigarette smoke, or influenza A virus-induced ARDS—these cells re-engage developmental programs to drive alveolar regeneration. However, their prolonged activation under pathological conditions may shift them toward fibrotic remodeling. Positioned at a crossroads between repair and disease, AMFs emerge as key players in lung biology and compelling targets for regenerative interventions.
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