title: [Interstitial lung disease].
abstract: Molecular investigation into the physiopathology of interstitial lung diseases has gained special interest through the trials carried out in the last decade. These trials seem to point at the role played by certain molecules, such as cytokines (transforming growth factor, platelet derived growth factor) and integrins, in the processes that lead to pulmonary fibrosis during the course of interstitial lung disease. They also demonstrate the important role that angiotensin II plays in increasing the secretion of transforming growth factor by several cells. The above-mentioned studies allow new therapeutic approaches to be considered which will possibly improve the serious prognosis of such diseases once they have reached the last stage of their course: pulmonary fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna II, Hospital Clínico Universitario San Carlos, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, España. rcuervopinto@yahoo.es
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cuervo
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Palau
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000502:physiology; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000276:immunology; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000276:immunology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016023:Integrins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D000804:Angiotensin II