Bone marrow-derived stem cells in respiratory diseases: a future therapy?

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Chairs: P. M. A. Calverley (Liverpool, United Kingdom), A. Artigas (Sabadell, Spain)
Aims: This session will update the audience on the current knowledge of the pathophysiologic and potential therapeutic role of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and progenitor endothelial cells in relevant diseases, such as COPD, sleep apnoea, acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary hypertension.

Circulating progenitor cells in COPD patients P. Palange (Rome, Italy)
Bone marrow-derived stem cells in obstructive sleep apnoea R. Farré (Barcelona, Spain)
Endothelial progenitors in pulmonary hypertension C. Agostini (Padova, Italy)