[The effect of anti basic fibroblast growth factor on the development of experimental silicosis bacillus]

Anti-bFGF serum was used to treat rabbit experimental silicosis. At 90 days, when experimental group was compared with control group, the number and size of the nodules in experimental group were much less and smaller than those in control group. Nodules in control group were mainly consist of fibroblast mixed with a small amount of collagen fiber, whereas nodules in experimental group were made up of macrophages. At 180 days, in addition to fibroblasts, there was II to III degree of collagen fiber in nodules of control group. Most of nodules in experimental group mainly contained macrophages. Fibroblasts of lung in fetal mice were cultured in vitro. The results showed that bFGF stimulated proliferation of fibroblast, whereas anti-bFGF serum inhibited fibroblast growth. It appeared that anti-bFGF serum actually blocked proliferation of fibroblast and fibrosis in rabbit experimental silicosis.