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Apoptosis in lung injury and fibrosis

¹ Interstitial Lung Disease Study Group, 3rd Dept of Pneumonology, Sismanoglio General Hospital, Athens, and ² Dept of Pneumonology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis and Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.

CORRESPONDENCE: D. Bouros, Hellenic Interstitial Lung Disease Group, Dept of Pneumonology, Medical School Democritus University of Thrace, University General Hospital, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece. Fax: 30 2106001213. E-mail: bouros{at}med.duth.gr

Keywords: Apoptosis, epithelium, fibroblast, mechanisms, pathogenesis, pulmonary fibrosis

Received: December 31, 2007
Accepted August 6, 2008

Pulmonary fibrosis is characterised by fibroblast accumulation and alveolar epithelium denudation. Increased apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells and decreased apoptosis of fibroblasts may play an important role in the pathogenesis of disease. Inflammatory cells can modulate apoptosis of other cell types, both by removal of apoptotic debris and by cytokine production, thus preserving a pro-fibrotic environment. In the present review, some of the mechanisms by which apoptosis may contribute to the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are described.