Inflammation-associated remodelling and fibrosis in the lung - a process and an end point

Fibrosis by common usage in the pathological and clinical literature is the end result of a healing process and synonymous with scarring. We would argue that its use to describe a dynamic series of events which may be reversible is unhelpful and that the term 'lung remodelling' is a better description for this process as it reflects changes in tissue organization that may or may not progress to 'fibrosis' as a final fixed point. Resolution, through reversal of active lung remodelling, by therapeutic intervention is possible providing the alveolar architecture remains intact. If the lung architecture is lost then healing by permanent fibrosis with loss of organ function is inevitable.