John D. Dickinson

This study shows that autonomous MTOR activation in COPD airway epithelial cells impairs lysosome function and contributes to persistent mucus cell metaplasia.

The paper examines the Golgi structure in airway secretory cells, finding a unique combination of a perinuclear Golgi ribbon and dispersed Golgi satellites, independent of mucin production levels.

This study shows mTOR signaling drives aberrant epithelial behaviors in asthma, including proliferation and migration, and its inhibition reduces mucous metaplasia features.