[The roles of apoptosis in lung injury]

Apoptosis serves important roles in organ development, cell differentiation, and the maintenance of homeostasis. Lung injury studies have underlined the role of fibroblast and endothelial cell apoptosis during lung repair from acute lung injuries, and demonstrated apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells in association with diffuse alveolar damage. Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by the loss of lung epithelial cells and the proliferation of fibroblasts. It is possible that Fas, Fas ligand, p 53, p 21, and other apoptosis-regulating proteins may play important roles in the pathophysiology of lung injury and fibrosis.