Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 7, 2026

Unilateral Lung Volume Analysis Using Micro-CT for Enhanced Assessment of Pulmonary Fibrosis in Preclinical Models
03:38

Unilateral Lung Volume Analysis Using Micro-CT for Enhanced Assessment of Pulmonary Fibrosis in Preclinical Models

Published on: June 20, 2025

Fibrosis of the lung and other tissues: new concepts in pathogenesis and treatment

P J Sime1, K M O'Reilly

  • 1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York 14642, USA.

Clinical Immunology (Orlando, Fla.)
|May 19, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Tissue fibrosis causes organ dysfunction and death, with limited treatments. This review highlights Type 2 cytokines and TGF-beta pathways as key drivers, suggesting new therapeutic targets for fibrosis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pathophysiology
  • Translational Medicine

Background:

  • Tissue fibrosis is a major cause of organ dysfunction, morbidity, and mortality.
  • Current therapies for fibrosis are limited, nonspecific, and largely ineffective.
  • Immune and cytokine-mediated mechanisms are increasingly recognized as critical in fibrosis pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of Type 2 cytokines in the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis.
  • To evaluate the contribution of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and CD40-CD40 ligand signaling in fibroblast activation.
  • To describe novel therapeutic strategies targeting these fibrotic pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature and data.
  • Analysis of immune and cytokine-mediated mechanisms in fibrosis.
  • Evaluation of therapeutic interventions targeting specific molecular pathways.

Main Results:

  • Evidence supports the critical role of Type 2 cytokines in driving fibrosis.
  • Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a key pro-fibrogenic cytokine.
  • CD40-CD40 ligand interactions significantly contribute to fibroblast activation.

Conclusions:

  • Type 2 cytokines and TGF-beta signaling are central to fibrosis development.
  • Targeting these pathways, including CD40-CD40 ligand interactions, offers promising therapeutic avenues.
  • Novel treatments inhibiting these fibrotic mechanisms are under development.

More Related Videos

Oropharyngeal Administration of Bleomycin in the Murine Model of Pulmonary Fibrosis06:03

Oropharyngeal Administration of Bleomycin in the Murine Model of Pulmonary Fibrosis

Published on: May 9, 2025

Refined Murine Model of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis07:51

Refined Murine Model of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Published on: June 17, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology01:20

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) pathophysiology is intricate and multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of physiological processes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for effectively managing and treating COPD. Here is an in-depth look at the critical elements in the pathophysiology of COPD:
Chronic Inflammation
COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features01:20

COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that progressively worsen over time, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This cluster of diseases collectively leads to a gradual and irreversible decline in lung function over time.
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis01:30

Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe health condition in which the mean pulmonary arterial pressure increases to 25 mmHg or more, even when the body is at rest. This high pressure in the blood vessels that transport blood from the heart to the lungs can cause various symptoms, including shortness of breath, can lead to right heart failure, and significantly affect the overall quality of life.
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology01:24

Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology

Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...
Other Pulmonary Disorders01:17

Other Pulmonary Disorders

Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...