{
  "id": 9228260,
  "title": "Clade B serpins promote direct basal-to-goblet cell differentiation in airways of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/clade-b-serpins-promote-direct-basal-to-goblet-cell-differentiation",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-22T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.21.753278v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by goblet cell hyperplasia (GCH), a condition that leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Researchers employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), spatial transcriptomics, and in vitro models to investigate the cellular and molecular origins of GCH in COPD patients. They identified basal-to-goblet transitional cells (BGTC), which are located between basal and goblet cells and are characterized by the expression of clade B serpins.\n\nThe in vitro studies revealed that inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, stimulate basal-to-goblet differentiation via a SERPINB3/4+ intermediate. Moreover, SERPINB3 overexpression induces airway basal cells to transform into IL1B-producing inflammatory goblet cells. Furthermore, the researchers identified a subset of SERPINB4+ goblet-variant basal cells in the lungs of COPD patients, which express goblet cell and inflammatory genes in an ex vivo setting.\n\nIn conclusion, the findings suggest that clade B serpins play a role in altered epithelial differentiation and inflammatory signaling in COPD. The research supports the therapeutic targeting of clade B serpins as a potential strategy to reduce goblet cell hyperplasia in COPD patients.",
  "summary": "Goblet cell hyperplasia (GCH) is a hallmark of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and contributes to morbidity and mortality. We investigated the cellular and molecular origins of GCH in COPD using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), spatial transcriptomics, and in vitro models. We identified \"basal-to-goblet transitional cells\" (BGTC) which are transcriptionally and physically…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}