Hedgehog-interacting protein orchestrates alveologenesis and protects against bronchopulmonary dysplasia and emphysema.

Abstract

Most of the lung's gas-exchange surface forms during alveologenesis and its disruption causes bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in infants, characterized by alveolar simplification and myofibroblast accumulation. BPD also increases the risk of adult emphysema, marked by alveolar loss. Despite this connection, mechanisms linking these conditions and effective treatments are still lacking. We identify hedgehog-interacting protein (<i>HHIP</i>), associated with both BPD and emphysema, as a critical regulator of alveologenesis. During this process, <i>Hhip</i>-expressing cells expanded, accompanied by hedgehog (Hh) signaling inhibition and myofibroblast transition. Stromal-specific <i>Hhip</i> deletion led to hyperactivation of Hh-IGF1 signaling axis, causing persistent SMA⁺ myofibroblasts and epithelial stem/progenitor cell senescence. Hyperactivation of this pathway was also observed in human BPD and hyperoxia-induced BPD models. Early <i>Hhip</i> deficiency resulted in adult emphysema with myofibroblast accumulation. We developed a therapeutic Fc-fused HHIP protein that mitigated BPD in neonatal mice and prevented adult emphysema. These findings establish HHIP as a critical regulator of alveologenesis and a therapeutic target for BPD and emphysema.