Syndecan-1 Attenuates Lung Injury during Influenza Infection by Potentiating c-Met Signaling to Suppress Epithelial Apoptosis.

Our work shows that cell-associated syndecan-1 has an important role in regulating lung injury. Our findings demonstrate a novel mechanism in which cell membrane-associated syndecan-1 regulates the innate immune response to influenza infection by facilitating cytoprotective signals through c-Met signaling to limit bronchial epithelial apoptosis, thereby attenuating lung injury and inflammation.