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Microbes & Immunity Understanding lung development, health, and diseases

is vital for improving neonatal care, especially for preterm are tightly controlled by signaling pathways. Alterations
infants at risk of respiratory distress due to incomplete of this process result in congenital lung disorders. The
lung development. lungs possess regenerative potential, which suggests the
The transition from fetal to neonatal life requires key possibility of healing and functional restoration following
respiratory adaptations, including fetal lung fluid clearance injury caused by infectious and non-infectious agents.
and surfactant production for efficient gas exchange. Future research endeavors should be directed toward
Disruptions in these processes can lead to neonatal bridging the gaps in the understanding of molecular and
respiratory complications. 19,21 While interventions such epigenetic mechanisms that influence postnatal lung
as surfactant therapy and mechanical ventilation have disorders such as COPD. Continued investigation using in
enhanced survival rates in preterm infants, further research vivo models and organoid systems to evaluate therapeutic
is needed to optimize these treatments and reduce long- strategies for the management of both congenital and
term pulmonary complications. acquired lung illnesses holds significant promise. In
particular, advancements may emerge by harnessing the
Epigenetic regulation significantly influences lung lung’s regenerative capacity and integrating probiotics into
development and disease, modifying gene expression standardized treatment protocols.
through DNA methylation, histone modifications, and
non-coding RNA activity. These mechanisms contribute Acknowledgments
79
to chronic lung diseases such as IPF, COPD, and BPD. None.
80
Environmental factors such as oxidative stress, infections,
and pollutants further impact epigenetic patterns, Funding
potentially leading to long-term lung dysfunction. Future
81
research should focus on therapeutic interventions that None.
can modulate epigenetic changes and prevent disease Conflict of interest
progression.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Congenital lung disorders, including CPAM, BPS, and
CLE, result from developmental abnormalities. Some Author contributions
82
cases remain asymptomatic, while others require surgical
intervention. Advances in prenatal imaging have improved Conceptualization: Feranmi Obe, Isaac Babalola
early detection, yet optimal management strategies remain Visualization: Isaac Babalola, Oluwafemi Alamu
uncertain. More studies are needed to evaluate the long- Writing – original draft: Feranmi Obe, Isaac Babalola,
term outcomes of surgical and non-surgical approaches. 21 Victor Adebiyi, Ayomide Adetoro, Florence Omotoso
Writing – review & editing: Feranmi Obe, Isaac Babalola,
Lung regeneration is another critical aspect of Oluwafemi Alamu
pulmonary biology. While the lungs generally remain
quiescent, they activate progenitor cells for repair following Ethics approval and consent to participate
injury. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the
importance of lung regeneration in recovering pulmonary Not applicable.
function post-infection. However, chronic exposures to Consent for publication
pollutants and smoking can impair these regenerative
mechanisms, contributing to progressive lung diseases. 83 Not applicable.
The placenta-gut-lung triad highlights the Availability of data
interconnectedness of organ systems, particularly in
immune regulation. Although lung microbiota is less Not applicable.
studied compared to the gut microbiota, it influences References
respiratory health, with dysbiosis linked to asthma and
COPD. 21,67 Probiotic interventions show promise, but 1. Correia-Pinto J, Gonzaga S, Huang Y, Rottier R. Congenital
further research is necessary to clarify their role in lung lung lesions--underlying molecular mechanisms. Semin
function modulation. 84 Pediatr Surg. 2010;19:171-179.
doi: 10.1053/j.sempedsurg.2010.03.003
8. Conclusion
2. Funk EC, Birol EB, McCune AR. Does the bowfin gas
The normal development of the lungs is a multistage bladder represent an intermediate stage during the
process involving structural and functional changes that lung-to-gas bladder evolutionary transition? J Morphol.

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2025) 55 doi: 10.36922/mi.7719