Journal article
Targeted Injury of Type II Alveolar Epithelial Cells Induces Pulmonary Fibrosis
American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine, Vol.181(3), pp.254-263
02/01/2010
DOI: 10.1164/rccm.200810-1615OC
PMCID: PMC2817814
PMID: 19850947
Abstract
Rationale
: Ineffective repair of a damaged alveolar epithelium has been postulated to cause pulmonary fibrosis. In support of this theory, epithelial cell abnormalities, including hyperplasia, apoptosis, and persistent denudation of the alveolar basement membrane, are found in the lungs of humans with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and in animal models of fibrotic lung disease. Furthermore, mutations in genes that affect regenerative capacity or that cause injury/apoptosis of type II alveolar epithelial cells have been identified in familial forms of pulmonary fibrosis. Although these findings are compelling, there are no studies that demonstrate a direct role for the alveolar epithelium or, more specifically, type II cells in the scarring process.
Objectives
: To determine if a targeted injury to type II cells would result in pulmonary fibrosis.
Methods
: A transgenic mouse was generated to express the human diphtheria toxin receptor on type II alveolar epithelial cells. Diphtheria toxin was administered to these animals to specifically target the type II epithelium for injury. Lung fibrosis was assessed by histology and hydroxyproline measurement.
Measurements and Main Results
: Transgenic mice treated with diphtheria toxin developed an approximately twofold increase in their lung hydroxyproline content on Days 21 and 28 after diphtheria toxin treatment. The fibrosis developed in conjunction with type II cell injury. Histological evaluation revealed diffuse collagen deposition with patchy areas of more confluent scarring and associated alveolar contraction.
Conclusions
: The development of lung fibrosis in the setting of type II cell injury in our model provides evidence for a causal link between the epithelial defects seen in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and the corresponding areas of scarring.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Targeted Injury of Type II Alveolar Epithelial Cells Induces Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Creators
- Thomas H Sisson - Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann ArborMichael Mendez - Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann ArborKaren Choi - Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann ArborNatalya Subbotina - Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann ArborAnthony Courey - Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann ArborAndrew Cunningham - Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann ArborAditi Dave - Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann ArborJohn F Engelhardt - Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann ArborXiaoming Liu - Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann ArborEric S White - Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann ArborVictor J Thannickal - Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann ArborBethany B Moore - Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann ArborPaul J Christensen - Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann ArborRichard H Simon - Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine, Vol.181(3), pp.254-263
- DOI
- 10.1164/rccm.200810-1615OC
- PMID
- 19850947
- PMCID
- PMC2817814
- NLM abbreviation
- Am J Respir Crit Care Med
- ISSN
- 1073-449X
- eISSN
- 1535-4970
- Publisher
- American Thoracic Society
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/01/2010
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Anatomy and Cell Biology; Radiation Oncology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984025413202771
Metrics
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