title: [Potential role of cytokines in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the expression of platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF), and study the potential role of cytokines in the development of IPF.
  
  
  METHODS
  The immunohistochemical methods were used to determine the expression of PDGF, TGF-beta in TBLB from patients with IPF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In IPF patients, TGF-beta mainly existed at tiny bronchial epithelial cells, alveolar epithelial type-II cells and alveolar macrophages, showing strong expression compared with controls (P<0.01). PDGF mainly existed at fibroblast-like cells surrounding pulmonary vessels, fibroblasts, tiny bronchial epithelial cells, alveolar epithelial type-II cells and alveolar macrophages, showing strong expression compared with controls (P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PDGF and TGF-beta, which interact with pulmonary mesenchymal cells, are involved in the formation of pulmonary fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Disease, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, Heilongjiang, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-mei
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Xin-yan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Fu-hui
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta