Patricia Inácio, PhD,  science writer—

A factor crucial to lung development also appears to promote fibrosis, the tissue-scarring in the lungs associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to a study. The factor, TAZ, locks lung fibroblasts — or cells that generate connective tissue — in a state that promotes fibrosis. TAZ stands for transcriptional co-activator with…

A secreted factor from bone marrow stem cells (BMSC-cm) improves the function of alveolar epithelial cells in repair and regeneration. These results support a potential therapeutic role for BMSC-cm released factors in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other lung diseases. The study “Hepatocyte growth factor secreted by bone marrow…

Higher levels and activity of an enzyme, called urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), were associated with fibrosis in lung tissue of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This suggests that uPA may be a target in treating lung fibrosis. The study, “The fibrogenic actions of lung fibroblast-derived urokinase: a potential drug target…

Researchers identified a specific cytokine called interleukin-13 (IL-13) as a critical mediator of radiation lung injury, and provided evidence that therapeutic targeting of IL-13 may significantly lessen radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis. The study, “IL-13 is a therapeutic target in radiation lung injury,” was published in the journal…

In a small study with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients, alterations in the patients’ respiratory microbiome led to changes in systematic responses that may promote injury, contributing to disease progression. The study, “Host-Microbial Interactions in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis,” was published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care…

The hormone atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) decreased inflammation and fibrosis in a mouse model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to a Japanese study. The research, “Atrial natriuretic peptide protects against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis via vascular endothelial cells in mice,” was published in the journal Respiratory Research. Certain…

Researchers found high levels of the anti-inflammatory protein CC16 in the blood of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients, suggesting it plays a role in the disease. The research showed 50 percent higher levels of the protein in IPF patients than in non-IPF patients with other conditions, and three times the level…

A single microRNA was found to play a key role in lung fibrosis by regulating several signaling pathways involved in the release of pro-fibrotic signals. The study, “miR-323a-3p regulates lung fibrosis by targeting multiple profibrotic pathways,” was published in the journal JCI Insight. MicroRNAs are small…

Differences in the expression of small RNAs, called microRNAs, which may be useful for identifying patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) at risk of an acute flare. The study, “Plasma microRNAs are associated with acute exacerbation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,” was published in the journal Diagnostic Pathology. An acute IPF…

Blocking a particular pathway — called c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) — may reduce lung remodeling and fibrosis, researchers said in a multi-part study reporting the effects of a JNK inhibitor in a mouse model and, subsequently, in a clinical trial involving patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The study, “JNK inhibition reduces lung…