David B. Frank

A Single-Cell Atlas of PVOD Across the Lifespan Reveals Cellular and Molecular Therapeutic Targets

The paper constructs a single-cell atlas of PVOD across the lifespan, identifying endothelial dysfunction and molecular pathways as key drivers of the disease with potential therapeutic targets.

Integrative vasculogenesis unifies distinct endothelial sources in the developing lung

The paper identifies a mesenchymal progenitor population in the developing mouse lung that generates endothelial cells through integrative vasculogenesis, distinct from classical vasculogenesis and angiogenesis.

A postnatal human lung developmental atlas reveals windows of genetic vulnerability to chronic lung disease

The paper creates a postnatal human lung developmental atlas to identify genes linked to chronic lung disease risk and shows COPD genetic risk is enriched in genes active during early postnatal endothelial development.

Targeting DNA-LNPs to Endothelial Cells Improves Expression Magnitude, Duration, and Specificity

This study shows that targeting DNA-LNPs to endothelial cells enhances transgene expression magnitude, duration, and specificity in target organs.

Stc1-expressing myofibroblasts are a developmentally distinct lineage cleared through intrinsic apoptosis in the neonatal lung

This study identifies Stc1-expressing myofibroblasts as a distinct lineage that undergoes apoptosis during neonatal lung development, using genetic tools and single-cell RNA-seq.

A longitudinal atlas of post-viral lung regeneration reveals persistent injury-associated cell states

This study maps the temporal sequence of mouse lung regeneration after viral injury, identifying persistent injury-associated cell states and their role in alveolar niche repair.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia with Pulmonary Hypertension Associates with Loss of Semaphorin Signaling and Functional Decrease in FOXF1 Expression

The paper identifies loss of semaphorin signaling and reduced FOXF1 expression in BPD and BPD+PH using single-cell RNA sequencing and validates findings in a murine model.

Dynamic Hippo pathway activity underlies mesenchymal differentiation during lung alveolar morphogenesis

The paper identifies dynamic Hippo pathway activity in secondary crest myofibroblasts during lung alveolar development and shows its role in regulating lineage commitment and mesenchymal differentiation.

Endodermal BRD4 mediates epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk during lung development

This study shows that BRD4 in endodermal cells is crucial for lung development by facilitating epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk, proper lineage allocation, and branching morphogenesis.

Epithelial Outgrowth Through Mesenchymal Rings Drives Alveologenesis

The paper observes alveoli formation through epithelial outgrowth and mesenchymal rings in live lung slices, challenging the existing model of airspace subdivision.

A CXCL12 morphogen gradient uncovers lung endothelial heterogeneity and promotes distal vascular growth

The paper identifies a CXCL12 morphogen gradient in developing pulmonary vasculature, revealing endothelial heterogeneity and its role in vascular growth.