The present invention provides a method to treat a condition related to injury of lung epithelial cells in a subject by administering a compound that binds FgfR2b, for example to promote proliferation of lung epithelial stem cells, as well as such compounds in pharmaceutical formulations. The invention also provides for methods to treat a condition related to injury of lung epithelial cells by isolating cells expressing FgfR2b, multiplying the cells and introducing the multiplied cells for repair of lung injury. Related methods for detecting lung injury by detecting the level of expression of FgfR2b well as for treating a condition related to proliferation of lung epithelial cells by administering a compound that binds to FgfR2b, to block receptor signaling are also provided.
