Described herein are novel approaches for regenerating injured or defective lung epithelium for the treatment of respiratory disorders using, in part, cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem cells. The methods and uses described herein relate to the administration of or use of hematopoietic stem cells, specifically those isolated or enriched from umbilical cord blood, to a subject in need thereof having a respiratory disorder, such as BPD, or any disorder characterized by insufficient or defective or injured lung epithelium or lung vasculature.
