title: Targeting platelet-derived growth factor as a therapeutic approach in pulmonary fibrosis.
abstract: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and lethal lung disease characterized by the proliferation of fibroblasts and deposition of extracellular matrix. Since the prognosis of IPF is still poor, novel therapeutic modalities are strongly required. For this reason, to find molecular target for therapy of IPF is of much importance. The recent understanding of pathogenesis in IPF indicates the critical role of alveolar epithelial type II cells (AECII) and fibroblasts. Although the detailed mechanisms involved in IPF is still unclear, various profibrotic mediators which are produced by the injured AECII are thought to play a role in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis via stimulating fibroblasts. Among them, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is one of critical growth factors by stimulating the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts. In this review, we discuss the role of PDGF in pulmonary fibrosis and the possibility as a therapeutic target for IPF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Institute of Health Biosciences, the University of Tokushima Graduate School.
authors.forename: Yasuhiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nishioka
authors.forename: Momoyo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azuma
authors.forename: Masami
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kishi
authors.forename: Yoshinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Aono
mesh_terms: D056809:Alveolar Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001549:Benzamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D054990:Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017479:Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D017479:Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor