Fraction of MHCII and EpCAM expression characterizes distal lung epithelial cells for alveolar type 2 cell isolation.

We successfully classified murine distal lung epithelial cells based on EpCAM and MHCII expression. The discrimination of AT2 cells from non-AT2 epithelial cells resulted in the isolation of pure AT2 cells. Highly pure AT2 cells will provide accurate and deeper insights into the cell-specific mechanisms of alveolar homeostasis.