MAPK13 controls structural remodeling and disease after epithelial injury.

This study identifies a distinct role for stress kinase MAPK13 in controlling the epithelial stem cell response to injury and the consequent development of tissue remodeling. The present model has direct implications for lung injury and subsequent disease triggered by respiratory viruses and other inhaled toxins, but the broad distribution of MAPK13 implies related actions at other barrier and tissue sites. The findings also refine a hypothesis for therapeutic intervention based on proper scaling of MAPK13 function including down-regulation with selective kinase inhibitors.