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The relationship between individual histologic features and disease progression in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

We have retrospectively studied 53 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and a histologic diagnosis of usual interstitial pneumonia and evaluated the prognostic significance of four individual histologic features (fibroblastic foci [FF], interstitial mononuclear cell infiltrate, established fibrosis, and intra-alveolar macrophages) using a semiquantitative scale of 0-6. An objective count of FF was also undertaken. Using weighted kappa coefficients, interobserver agreement between pathologists was moderate to good (0.56-0.76). Subjective and objective FF scores were strongly associated (R(S) = 0.88, < 0.00005). Mortality was independently linked to a high FF score, p = 0.006, and a low percent predicted carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DL(CO)), p = 0.01. For pulmonary function, on univariate analysis, the strongest correlations were observed between increasing interstitial mononuclear cell infiltrate or FF scores and greater declines in forced vital capacity (FVC) or DL(CO) at 6 months. Multivariate models revealed that increasing FF scores were independently associated with greater declines in FVC and DL(CO) at both 6 and 12 months. Increasing interstitial mononuclear cell infiltrate scores were also independently linked to functional decline, but only at 6 months. These data suggest a reproducible method on biopsy for predicting rate of disease progression in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Biopsy↗

The sensitivity of high-resolution CT in detecting idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis proved by open lung biopsy. A prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the sensitivity of high-resolution chest computed tomography (HRCT) in detecting idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis proved by biopsy specimen. To determine the degree of physiologic and pathologic abnormalities in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis who have a false-negative HRCT. DESIGN: Prospective 2-year study. SETTING: Tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS: All patients with dyspnea and suspected interstitial lung disease referred to the University of Michigan for enrollment in the Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) protocol were included; 25 underwent open lung biopsy and formed the final study group. MEASUREMENTS: All patients underwent physiologic (pulmonary function, gas exchange, and exercise testing), radiologic (chest x-ray film and HRCT), and pathologic assessments (bronchoscopic and open lung biopsy). The results of HRCT were prospectively compared with results of standard pulmonary function tests, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and open lung biopsy. RESULTS: Of 25 patients who had both HRCT and open lung biopsy, 3 patients (12%) had HRCTs that demonstrated no evidence of interstitial lung disease. These three patients had less severe disease based on clinical, radiographic, and physiologic (CRP) scores, gas exchange abnormalities, and pathologic scoring of open lung biopsy specimens, compared with those with an abnormal HRCT. CONCLUSION: We conclude that in the evaluation of patients with dyspnea and abnormal results of pulmonary function studies, a normal HRCT does not exclude early and clinically significant interstitial lung disease. In our patient population, physiologic testing was more sensitive than HRCT in detecting mild abnormalities in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis proved by biopsy specimen.

Adult↗

Intratracheal gene transfer of tissue factor pathway inhibitor attenuates pulmonary fibrosis.

Activation of the coagulation system and increased expression of tissue factor (TF) in pulmonary fibrosis associated with acute and chronic lung injury have been previously documented. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of TF inhibition with intratracheal gene transfer of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), a potent and highly specific endogenous inhibitor of TF-dependent coagulation activation, in a rat model of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. Significant lung fibrotic changes as assessed by histologic findings and hydroxyproline content, and increased procoagulant activity and thrombin generation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were detected in rats after intratracheal injection of bleomycin. Intratracheal administration of an adenovirus vector expressing TFPI significantly decreased bleomycin-induced procoagulant and thrombin generation resulting in a strong inhibition of pulmonary fibrosis. TFPI-overexpression in the lung was associated with a significant reduction in gene expression of the connective tissue growth factor, a potent profibrotic growth factor. This is the first report showing that direct inhibition of TF-mediated coagulation activation abrogates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Animals↗

Anti-monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene therapy attenuates pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a proinflammatory chemokine and may play an important role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. We examined a new therapeutic strategy that comprises the transfection of the mutant MCP-1 gene into skeletal muscles as a biofactory for anti-MCP-1 therapy against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Overexpression of the mutant MCP-1 gene at 10-14 days after intratracheal instillation of bleomycin resulted in decreased DNA damage, apoptosis, and pulmonary fibrosis at 14 days. However, overexpression of the mutant MCP-1 at 0-4 days after bleomycin instillation did not result in decreased pathological grade, DNA damage, or apoptosis at 7 and 14 days. Because, in this model, inflammatory cell infiltration begins at 3 days and is followed by interstitial fibrosis, it is likely that MCP-1 has an important role to play in the development of fibrogenesis but not in the development of early lung inflammation. This method does not require the use of viral vector or neutralizing antibody, and, as such, it is possible to avoid problems regarding the pathogenicity of the viral vector or immunocomplex. This new strategy may be a beneficial method of treating pulmonary fibrosis from the viewpoint of clinical application.

Animals↗

Interaction of IL-13 and C10 in the pathogenesis of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

The initial stimulus for inflammatory cell recruitment and the mechanisms responsible for the perpetuation and evolution of chronic inflammation, granulation tissue formation, and fibrosis have not been fully elucidated. Although interleukin (IL)-13, a Th2 cytokine, has been shown to have direct effects on fibroblasts that support fibroproliferation, it is also a potent inducer of a novel CC chemokine, C10, which is chemotactic for mononuclear phagocytes. The macrophage/mononuclear phagocyte has been shown to have a role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, serving as an important source of growth factors that regulate extracellular matrix synthesis. In this study we demonstrate that IL-13 and C10 are elevated in the pathogenesis of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Neutralization of IL-13, but not IL-4, attenuated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and levels of C10, suggesting that IL-13 has an important role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. IL-13 is a potent inducer of C10 in vivo, and neutralization of C10 attenuated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and intrapulmonary macrophage numbers. This suggests that IL-13 has a role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis that is independent of its direct effect on fibroblasts and is evidence for an interaction between Th2 cytokines and specific CC chemokines.

Animals↗

Increased endothelin-1 in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and the effect of an endothelin receptor antagonist.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by an alveolitis with epithelial and endothelial damage progressing to fibrosis. Numerous mediators have been implicated in this complex process. Studies in humans have shown that endothelin-1 (ET-1), a vasoconstrictor and mitogenic peptide, is a mediator in IPF. To determine the role of ET-1 and endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE)-1 and the effect of Bosentan, an ET receptor antagonist, in an animal model of IPF, we studied three groups of rats (n = 6 each): Group 1, control, received saline; Group 2, fibrosis, received 1.5 U bleomycin intratracheally; Group 3, fibrosis-Bosentan treated, received bleomycin and Bosentan daily by gavage. After 28 d, right upper lobes were fixed for immunohistochemistry (IHC) and sections were stained with antisera to ET-1 and ECE-1 and graded semiquantitatively. Sections from left lungs were embedded in paraffin and stained for light microscopic morphometry to quantitate the fibrosis. By IHC, we found increased ET-1 immunoreactivity (ir) in airway epithelium and inflammatory cells, and ECE-1-ir in airway epithelium, type II pneumocytes and endothelial cells (p < 0.05). By morphometry, the volume fraction (Vv) of connective tissue (CT) increased and the Vv of air decreased in the fibrosis group compared with that in the control group. Bosentan reduced the Vv of CT and increased the Vv of air compared with that in the fibrosis group (p < 0.05). These results indicate that ET-1 is involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis in the rodent model and that blockage of its receptors reduces the fibrosis.

Animals↗

Quality of life of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients.

Little attention has been paid to quality of life (QOL) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Therefore, the aim of this study was to address this issue and study the relationship between QOL, depressive symptoms, and breathlessness in these patients. Forty-one IPF patients and 41 healthy persons matched for age and sex completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument-100. The IPF patients also completed the Beck Depression Inventory, the Bath Breathlessness Scale, a social support questionnaire and a question concerning perceived seriousness of illness. Compared to the control group, QOL in IPF patients was mainly impaired in the domains "physical health" and "level of independence". A number of relationships were found between pulmonary function tests and QOL. The QOL facet "negative feelings" was highly associated with scores on depression. Subjective breathlessness was related to depressive symptoms and QOL. Moreover, sex and effective/emotional breathlessness predicted overall QOL. In conclusion, the impairment of the quality of life areas "physical health" and "level of independence" are important issues in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Subjective breathlessness, especially the effective/emotional scale, seems related to quality of life and depressive symptoms. Rehabilitation programmes are needed that are aimed at physiological aspects and psychosocial aspects of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in order to enhance the quality of life of these patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗

[Pulmonary fibrosis as a presentation form of the Jo-1 syndrome].

Jo-1 syndrome is a disease recently described, included on the list of connective tissue diseases. Its clinical features are myositis and/or pulmonary fibrosis associated to the presence of precipitant antibodies against intracellular enzyme call histidine T-RNA synthetase. This antibody is related to pulmonary fibrosis associated to myositis and some scientist gave predictive value on the onset of pulmonary fibrosis in patients with myositis. However, isolated association of pulmonary fibrosis have been exceptionally described. A patient with severe interstitial pulmonary affliction and positive Jo-1 antibody without myositis is presented. The actual knowledge of the disease and its association is reviewed.

Adult↗

TNF-alpha-mediated lung cytokine networking and eosinophil recruitment in pulmonary fibrosis.

Despite abundant evidence documenting the importance of TNF-alpha in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, its actual role has not been fully elucidated. Recent observations also indicate that eosinophils found in fibrotic lung express elevated levels of cytokines known to be important in lung fibrosis. These findings suggest a possible role for TNF-alpha in eosinophil recruitment and cytokine expression in this disease. To examine this hypothesis, pulmonary fibrosis was induced in mice by endotracheal bleomycin treatment, and separate groups of animals were also treated with either anti-TNF-alpha Ab or control serum. On days 7 and 14 post-bleomycin treatment, lungs were harvested and analyzed for fibrosis, cytokine expression, and eosinophil influx. Anti-TNF-alpha caused a significant reduction in lung fibrosis, as indicated by a reduction in hydroxyproline content, which was accompanied by suppression of lung TGF-beta1, IL-5, and JE mRNA expression. Examination of tissue sections revealed a significant reduction in lung eosinophils and overall cellularity by anti-TNF-alpha treatment without a significant effect on the number of lung macrophages. The number of IL-5-expressing cells was also significantly reduced by anti-TNF-alpha treatment. Since IL-5 is important in eosinophil differentiation, activation, and recruitment, these findings suggest a novel mechanism by which TNF-alpha could mediate pulmonary fibrosis via induction of IL-5-mediated eosinophil recruitment and fibrogenic cytokine production. Since these eosinophil-derived cytokines include JE/monocyte chemotactic factor-1 and TGF-beta1, this cytokine networking orchestrated by TNF-alpha could, in turn, amplify the inflammatory response and drive the progression to fibrosis and end-stage lung disease.

Animals↗

Increased expression of platelet-derived growth factor A and insulin-like growth factor-I in BAL cells during the development of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

Current concepts suggest that macrophages may play a central role in pulmonary fibrosis by virtue of their ability to release a variety of cytokines. In this study, the expression of interleukin (IL)-1 alpha and beta, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) A and B, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I in BAL cells, which may be involved in fibroblast proliferation, was investigated in murine bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis. BAL cells were obtained at 1, 15, and 29 days from Institute for Cancer Research mice after 10 days of intraperitoneal administration of BLM. The relative amounts of cytokine messenger RNA (mRNA) were evaluated by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method, which simultaneously amplified complementary DNA for cytokines and beta-actin as an internal control. The level of IL-1 beta mRNA in BLM-treated mice was increased 4.5-fold compared with that in saline solution-treated (control) mice 1 day after treatment, while no significant differences were observed between the two groups at 15 and 29 days. The mRNAs of PDGF-A and IGF-I in BLM-treated mice were sustained at levels eightfold and threefold to fourfold, respectively, those of controls over 4 weeks. No significant differences were noted in IL-1 alpha and PDGF-B expression between the two groups. We conclude that IL-1 beta released from macrophages may be important in the early phase of inflammatory responses and that PDGF-A and IGF-I may play important roles in the development of BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Animals↗

Pulmonary fibrosis: cellular and molecular events.

Connective tissue remodeling of the interstitium is an important feature of chronic lung diseases encompassing interstitial inflammatory changes and subsequent pulmonary fibrosis. The early inflammatory phase is usually associated with the release of several cytokines and chemokines by activated resident cells and infiltrating cells which, in turn, help further recruit inflammatory mononuclear cells. Cytokines and growth factors secreted by inflammatory cells and by interstitial cells (fibroblasts and myofibroblasts) play an important role in the fibrogenic phase of pulmonary fibrosis by inducing matrix synthesis. In addition, matrix-degrading enzymes and their inhibitors also contribute to extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in pulmonary fibrosis. This review addresses the pathophysiology of wound healing and different phases of pulmonary fibrosis.

Cytokines↗

Pathogenic mechanisms in pulmonary fibrosis: collagen-induced migration inhibition factor production and cytotoxicity mediated by lymphocytes.

The universal features of the histopathology of fibrotic lung disease are derangement of parenchymal collagen and infiltration of the parenchyma with chronic inflammatory cells. To determine if this cellular reaction might be associated with autoimmunity to a consitituent of the alveolar interstitium, peripheral blood lymphocytes were exposed to human type I collagen in vitro and evaluated for the production of migration inhibition factor and cytotoxicity. Data from 18 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 8 patients with pulmonary fibrosis other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 12 patients with nonfibrotic lung disease, and 9 normals demonstrated that circulating lymphocytes from more than 94% of patients with fibrotic lung disease take part in processes where the recognition of collagen results in migration inhibition factor production and lysis of collagen-coated sheep red blood cells. These collagen-induced cell-mediated phenomena are obviated with human T-lymphocyte antiserum. Collagen-induced migration inhibition factor production and cytotoxicity were found in less than 20% of patients with nonfibrotic disease and were not found in normals. Qualitatively, there was no organ (lung, skin) or species (human, rabbit) collagen specificity in these assays, but human lung alpha 2 chains were recognized more often than alpha 1(I) chains. Circulating lymphocytes from patients with fibrotic disease are present in a normal T to B ratio. These lymphocytes did not incorporate [3H]thymidine when exposed to collagen but did when exposed to T-cell mitogens. These in vitro observations suggest that circulating T-lymphocytes and lung collagen may be intimately associated in the pathogenesis of human fibrotic lung disease.

Adult↗

Increased synthesis of elastin in amiodarone-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Both synthesis and total content of lung elastin were measured after induction of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in hamsters by a single intratracheal insufflation of amiodarone. Elastin synthesis, as measured by 14C-lysine incorporation into desmosine and isodesmosine, was significantly elevated (P less than 0.05) above control values for a 3-week interval after induction of lung injury. Total lung elastin content in the amiodarone-treated animals was 32% greater than in controls (P less than 0.05) 2 weeks after insufflation of the agent. Furthermore, the time course of elastin synthesis in this experimental model was similar to that observed in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in hamsters. Increases in elastin may therefore be a common feature of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and may contribute to the altered lung mechanics seen in this disease.

Amiodarone↗

[Treatment of diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis].

At the stage of established pulmonary fibrosis there is no effective treatment. Hence the necessity of an early diagnosis at the "cellular" stage of diffuse interstitial fibrosing pneumopathy, which offers the best chances of improvement under corticosteroid therapy. Current biopathological researches on the dynamic mechanisms of fibrosis (fibrogenesis, fibrolysis) should open therapeutic lines involving cytokines and/or their receptors, including at the stage of gene transcription.

Fibroblasts↗

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis : new concepts in pathogenesis and implications for drug therapy.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, and usually fatal pulmonary disease for which there are no proven drug therapies. Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents have been largely ineffective. The precise relationship of IPF to other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) is not known, despite the observation that different histopathologic patterns of IIP may coexist in the same patient. We propose that these different histopathologic 'reaction' patterns may be determined by complex interactions between host and environmental factors that alter the local alveolar milieu. Recent paradigms in IPF pathogenesis have focused on dysregulated epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, an imbalance in T(H)1/T(H)2 cytokine profile and potential roles for aberrant angiogenesis. In this review, we discuss these evolving concepts in disease pathogenesis and emerging therapies designed to target pro-fibrogenic pathways in IPF.

Humans↗

The role of IL-5 in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Eosinophils are known to express cytokines capable of promoting fibrosis. Interleukin-5 (IL-5) is important in regulating eosinophilopoiesis, eosinophil recruitment and activation. Lung IL-5 expression is elevated in pulmonary fibrosis, wherein the eosinophil is a primary source of fibrogenic cytokines. To determine the role of IL-5 in pulmonary fibrosis, the effects of anti-IL-5 antibody were investigated in a model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Fibrosis was induced in mice by endotracheal bleomycin treatment. Animals were also treated with either anti-IL-5 antibody or control IgG. Lungs were then analyzed for fibrosis, eosinophil influx, chemotactic activity, and cytokine expression. The results show that a primary chemotactic activity at the height of eosinophil recruitment is IL-5. Furthermore, anti-IL-5 antibody caused significant reduction in lung eosinophilia, cytokine expression, and fibrosis. These findings taken together suggest an important role for IL-5 in pulmonary fibrosis via its ability to regulate eosinophilic inflammation, and thus eosinophil-dependent fibrogenic cytokine production.

Animals↗

Attenuation of bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice using the heme oxygenase inhibitor Zn-deuteroporphyrin IX-2,4-bisethylene glycol.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary fibrosis is associated with a poor prognosis. The pathogenesis of fibrotic lung disorders remains unclear, but the extent of tissue damage due to the persistent presence of oxidants or proteases is believed to be important. The heme degrading enzyme heme oxygenase (HO) has been found to be expressed in experimental fibrosis, and generation of free iron and carbon monoxide (CO) by HO has been implicated in oxidant induced lung damage. A study was undertaken to examine the effects of the HO inhibitor Zn-deuteroporphyrin-IX-2,4-bisethylene glycol (Zndtp) on the development of pulmonary fibrosis in the bleomycin model of lung injury and repair. METHODS: Zndtp (10 micro mol/kg) was administered subcutaneously twice daily to mice 1 week following the intratracheal instillation of 0.025 U bleomycin. Animals were killed 10 or 21 days after bleomycin instillation and indices of lung damage and fibrosis were evaluated. RESULTS: Bleomycin treatment induced pulmonary cytotoxicity, increased levels of active transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), enhanced lung collagen accumulation, and decreased glutathione content. Zndtp administration significantly attenuated these indices. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of Zndtp in the bleomycin model resulted in appreciable alveolar cytoprotection and amelioration of pulmonary fibrosis. This molecule and its analogues may warrant further consideration in the treatment of acute lung injury and fibrotic lung disorders.

Animals↗

Multivariate analysis of pulmonary fibrosis after electron beam irradiation for postmastectomy chest wall and regional lymphatics: evidence for non-dosimetric factors.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the factors associated with pulmonary fibrosis after postmastectomy electron beam irradiation of chest wall and regional lymphatics in patients with breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 1987 through July 1994, 109 women with stage II and III breast cancer receiving modified radical mastectomies were managed by postoperative electron beam irradiation. Doses of 46 to 50.4 Gy were delivered to the chest wall covered with bolus, internal mammary nodes, supraclavicular nodes and axillary lymph nodes via 12 or 15 MeV single portal electron beam. Seventeen patients received additional 10-16 Gy surgical scar boost via 9 MeV electron beam. Comparison of pre-treatment and post-treatment chest X-ray films were used to monitor the development of pulmonary fibrosis. RESULTS: Only Grade 1 radiation-induced late pulmonary toxicity was noted in 33 patients (29%). Twenty-six patients (24%) developed pulmonary fibrosis under unbolused chest wall. Lung fibrosis under bolused chest wall was noted in 11 patients (10%). Statistical difference (P<0.01) was noted between the incidence of fibrosis in these two sites. In multivariate analysis of lung fibrosis under unbolus-covered chest wall, the independent prognostic factors are low body mass index (BMI) (P<0.01), tamoxifen taking (P=0.03), and no treatment interruption (P=0.03). No independent factor was associated with lung fibrosis under bolus-covered chest wall in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In the analysis of pulmonary fibrosis induced by unbolused electron beam, BMI rather than body weight and body height is a strong prognostic factor. Tamoxifen and short overall time can predispose the development of lung fibrosis.

Adult↗