Highlights • COPD lung is dominated by three pathogenic stem cell variants • These variants are epigenetically committed to metaplastic lesions found in COPD • Variants drive key COPD features of inflammation, fibrosis, and airway obstruction • Similar variants in fetal and normal lung likely serve sentinel functions Summary Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive condition of chronic bronchitis, small airway obstruction, and emphysema that represents a leading cause of...
