Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Fibrotic Lung Disease: A Review with a Focus on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

Title:Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Fibrotic Lung Disease: A Review with a Focus on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

Volume: 8 Issue: 1

Author(s): Satoshi Noguchi, Yasuhiro Yamauchi and Hajime Takizawa

Affiliation:

Keywords: Chronic inflammatory airway diseases, EMT, fibrosis, myofibroblast, TGF-β, TNF-α.

Abstract: Airway and pulmonary fibrosis is a pathological condition associated with chronic airway inflammation. Fibrosis and architectural remodeling of tissues can severely disrupt lung function, often with fatal consequences. The traditional paradigm of fibrogenesis is based on the activation of local stromal cells including fibroblasts and their conversion into myofibroblasts. However, it has become apparent that several airway structural cells, including epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and pericytes, contribute to lung fibrosis through a process of molecular reprogramming. Recent studies have shown the important role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in airway diseases and animal models of fibrosis, suggesting that targeting EMT may be a promising strategy against fibrotic lung disease. In this article, we review the latest advances on the evidence for EMT in airway diseases, and discuss the underlying mechanisms of EMT and the roles of inflammatory mediators. We also describe recent patents that could develop into novel therapeutics.

Cite this article as:

Noguchi Satoshi, Yamauchi Yasuhiro and Takizawa Hajime, Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Fibrotic Lung Disease: A Review with a Focus on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery 2014; 8 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1872213X07666131229131451