Endothelial cells as early therapeutic targets in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Insights into Tongxinluo’s multiple protective mechanisms against cigarette smoke-induced lung injury

Our findings underscore the innovative potential of targeting PMECs for early COPD intervention through the integration of single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics. Furthermore, we demonstrate the novel therapeutic potential of TXL in mitigating lung injury and promoting endothelial-mediated epithelial regeneration as well as PMEC proliferation via the Apelin/APJ/p38MAPK pathway providing a novel perspective for COPD intervention.