title: The role of Bcl-2 family proteins in pulmonary fibrosis.
abstract: Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by epithelial injury, abnormal tissue repair, fibroproliferation and loss of pulmonary function as a result of a complex interaction of multiple cellular and molecular processes. There is accumulating evidence in support of a role for apoptosis in the pathogenesis of interstitial lung diseases. The Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma-2) family of proteins, which consists of antiapoptotic and pro-apoptotic members, is a critical regulator for apoptosis and development of pulmonary fibrosis. The association between Bcl-2 family members and various pathways and mediators has been also described in the pulmonary fibrosis. This article reviews the recent advances regarding the roles of Bcl-2 family as the apoptosis-regulatory factors in pulmonary fibrosis from human tissue studies, animal models, ex vivo and in vitro studies. Further understanding of apoptosis signaling regulation through Bcl-2 family proteins in the lung tissue may lead to better design of new therapeutic interventions for pulmonary fibrosis.
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Isfahan Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hezar Jarib Avenue, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: leila_safaeian@pharm.mui.ac.ir.
authors: Leila
authors: L
authors: Safaeian
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Isfahan Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hezar Jarib Avenue, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Alireza
authors: A
authors: Abed
authors: Applied Physiology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Golnaz
authors: G
authors: Vaseghi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000502:physiology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000502:physiology*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
keywords: Apoptosis; Bcl-2 family proteins; Pulmonary fibrosis