Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Oropharyngeal Administration of Bleomycin in the Murine Model of Pulmonary Fibrosis
Published on: May 9, 2025
Stearic acid attenuates profibrotic signalling in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Hak-Su Kim1,2, Hyun Ju Yoo3, Kwang Min Lee1
1Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Background And Objective:
Lipid metabolism dysregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of IPF; however, the roles of most lipid metabolites in lung fibrosis remain unexplored. Therefore, we aimed to identify changes in lipid metabolites in the lung tissues of IPF patients and determine their roles in pulmonary fibrosis.
Methods:
Free fatty acids in the lung tissues of IPF patients and controls were quantified using a metabolomic approach. The roles of free fatty acids in fibroblasts or epithelial cells treated with TGF-β1 were evaluated using fibrotic markers. The antifibrotic role of stearic acid was also assessed in a bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis mouse model. Protein levels in cell lysates or tissues were measured by western blotting.
Results:
The levels of stearic acid were lower in IPF lung tissues than in control lung tissues. Stearic acid significantly reduced TGF-β1-induced α-SMA and collagen type 1 expression in MRC-5 cells. Furthermore, stearic acid decreased the levels of p-Smad2/3 and ROS in MRC-5 cells treated with TGF-β1 and disrupted TGF-β1-induced EMT in Beas-2B cells. Stearic acid reduced the levels of bleomycin-induced hydroxyproline in a mouse model.
Conclusion:
Changes in the free fatty acid profile, including low levels of stearic acid, were observed in IPF patients. Stearic acid may exert antifibrotic activity by regulating profibrotic signalling.
Related Concept Videos
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
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,...

