# POU5F1 bridges Hedgehog signaling and epithelial remodeling in COPD

## TL;DR

This study explores how POU5F1 connects Hedgehog signaling to airway changes in COPD, offering new insights into disease mechanisms.

## Contribution

The study identifies POU5F1 as a novel link between Hedgehog signaling and epithelial remodeling in COPD.

## Key findings

- Transcriptomic analysis revealed potential regulators of COPD-related epithelial changes.
- POU5F1 was validated as altered in COPD airway cells and lung tissues.
- Findings suggest a connection between cell plasticity and Hedgehog signaling in COPD.

## Abstract

Airway epithelium remodeling is a hallmark of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis. Hedgehog signaling is activated during airway epithelial repair to warrant proliferation and during cell differentiation to establish a fully functional epithelium with optimal mucociliary clearance. Consequently, it was found to be altered in COPD patients. Using transcriptomic analysis on air–liquid interface airway epithelial cells during differentiation upon Hedgehog pathway inhibition, we highlighted potential regulators of COPD-associated epithelial remodeling. Furthermore, the alteration of POU5F1 (OCT3/4) was validated in COPD airway epithelial cells and lung tissues. Although further investigations are required, these findings uncovered essential clues tethering respiratory epithelial cell plasticity and Hedgehog signaling.