Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

Oropharyngeal Administration of Bleomycin in the Murine Model of Pulmonary Fibrosis
Published on: May 9, 2025
The genetic and environmental causes of pulmonary fibrosis
Ken Macneal1, David A Schwartz
1University of Colorado, 12631 East 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. david.schwartz@ucdenver.edu
Abstract:
Although substantial progress has been made in understanding the clinical, radiological, and pathological manifestations of fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILD), it remains difficult for the clinician to predict the clinical course or the response to therapy for the subtypes of ILD, even from individual to individual with the same diagnosis. This article reviews the genetic and environmental causes of pulmonary fibrosis, specifically focusing on genetic and epigenetic variants of MUC5B and several types of ILD, to discuss why only some individuals with the MUC5B promoter polymorphism develop pulmonary fibrosis. Once we discover how these genetic and epigenetic risks lead to the development of ILD, we and others can apply these discoveries to: (1) identify individuals at risk of developing ILD, (2) diagnose the condition at an earlier stage, (3) identify novel mechanisms that cause ILD, and (4) eventually develop personalized therapeutic strategies for intervention.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
Asthma I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
Cancer Prevention
Some...
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation, but...
