title: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: cellular and molecular pathogenesis.
abstract: Diffuse involvement of the pulmonary interstitium with abnormal fibrous tissue is a process that occurs in many settings. There are many possible etiologies for pulmonary fibrosis, but in the majority of individuals, a clear cause cannot be determined and a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) results. Despite limited knowledge concerning the etiology, recent advances in biomedical technology offer great promise for increasing our understanding of IPF. This review will focus on current concepts of the pathogenesis and therapy of IPF.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Pulmonary Disease Department, Dallas 75235-9034.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Weissler
mesh_terms: D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D003094:Collagen