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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
04:44
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Structural features of epithelial remodeling in usual interstitial pneumonia histologic pattern
Aline Lourenso Baptista1, Edwin Roger Parra, João Valente Barbas Filho
1Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
Lung
|September 29, 2006
Summary
Apoptosis regulation is altered in usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), impacting epithelial remodeling and lung tissue damage. Loss of bcl-2 and Fas-ligand control contributes to abnormal cell density in UIP.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Cell Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Epithelial remodeling is implicated in parenchymal deterioration in usual interstitial pneumonia/idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (UIP/IPF).
- Understanding the mechanisms of epithelial changes in UIP remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate apoptosis and epithelial alterations within the distinct histologic patterns of UIP.
- To quantify specific cellular and protein markers in UIP lung tissue.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 23 open lung biopsies from UIP patients.
- Quantification of type I cells, type II cells, surfactant-A protein, bcl-2, and Fas-ligand (Fas-L) was conducted in control and UIP areas (alveolar collapse, fibroblastic foci, honeycomb).
Main Results:
- Type I cell density decreased progressively from control to honeycomb areas in UIP.
- Type II cell and surfactant-A protein densities showed variations across UIP histologic patterns.
- Fas-L and bcl-2 positive epithelial cell densities declined progressively from control to honeycomb areas, with bcl-2 increasing in honeycomb regions.
Conclusions:
- Abnormal epithelial remodeling in UIP may be driven by impaired nuclear (bcl-2) and membrane (Fas-L) regulation of cell population density.
- Suppression of apoptosis contributes to the aberrant epithelial and parenchymal remodeling observed in UIP.
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