The role of circulating mesenchymal progenitor cells (fibrocytes) in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.
Pulmonary fibrosis is associated with a number of disorders that affect the lung. Although there are several cellular types that are involved in the pathogenesis pulmonary fibrosis, the resident lung fibroblast has been viewed traditionally as the primary cell involved in promoting the deposition of ECM that culminates in pulmonary fibrosis. However, recent findings demonstrate that a circulating cell (i.e., the fibrocyte) can contribute to the evolution of pulmonary fibrosis. Fibrocytes are bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells that express a variety of cell-surface markers related to leukocytes, hematopoietic progenitor cells, and fibroblasts. Fibrocytes are unique in that they are capable of differentiating into fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, as well as adipocytes. In this review, we present data supporting the critical role these cells play in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.
Strieter
Robert M
RM
Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care, Box 800466, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0466, USA. strieter@virginia.edu
Keeley
Ellen C
EC
Hughes
Molly A
MA
Burdick
Marie D
MD
Mehrad
Borna
B
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12 / Q000502:physiology; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000502:physiology; D014945:Wound Healing
D015703:Antigens, CD; C515255:CXCL12 protein, human; C527276:CXCR4 protein, human; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005819:Genetic Markers; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4