In search of the elusive lipofibroblast in human lungs

Katrin Ahlbrecht; Stephen E McGowan

doi:10.1152/ajplung.00230.2014

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In search of the elusive lipofibroblast in human lungs

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

In search of the elusive lipofibroblast in human lungs

Katrin Ahlbrecht and Stephen E McGowan

American journal of physiology. Lung cellular and molecular physiology, Vol.307(8), pp.L605-L608

10/15/2014

DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00230.2014

PMID: 25193605

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Abstract

Although the pulmonary interstitial lipofibroblast (LF) has been widely recognized in rat and mouse lungs, their presence in human lungs remains controversial. In a recent issue of the Journal, Tahedl and associates (Tahedl D, Wirkes A, Tschanz SA, Ochs M, Mühlfeld C. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 307: L386-L394, 2014) address this controversy and provide the most detailed stereological analysis of LFs in mammals other than rodents. Strikingly, their observations demonstrate that LFs were only observed in rodents, which contrasts with earlier reports. This editorial reviews the anatomical, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of the LF to better understand the significance of LFs for lung development and disease. Although lipid droplets are a signature of the LF cell type, it remains unclear whether lipid storage is the defining characteristic of LFs, or whether other less overt properties determine the importance of LFs. Are lipid droplets an adaptation to the neonatal environment, or are LFs a surrogate for other properties that promote alveolar development, and do lipid droplets modify physiology or disease in adults?

Animals

Humans

Pulmonary Alveoli - metabolism

Cells, Cultured

Pulmonary Alveoli - cytology

Rats

Lipid Metabolism

Fibroblasts - cytology

Mice

Fibroblasts - metabolism

Details

Title: Subtitle: In search of the elusive lipofibroblast in human lungs
Creators: Katrin Ahlbrecht - Department of Lung Development and Remodelling, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim Germany; Department of Internal Medicine (Pulmonology), University of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Giessen, Germany; and Katrin.Ahlbrecht@innere.med.uni-giessen.de
Stephen E McGowan - Department of Veterans Affairs Research Service and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of physiology. Lung cellular and molecular physiology, Vol.307(8), pp.L605-L608
DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00230.2014
PMID: 25193605
NLM abbreviation: Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol
ISSN: 1040-0605
eISSN: 1522-1504
Publisher: American Physiological Society; United States
Grant note: I01 BX000508 / BLRD VA
Language: English
Date published: 10/15/2014
Academic Unit: International Programs; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9983984544602771

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