Exacerbation of established pulmonary fibrosis in a murine model by gammaherpesvirus.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease with high mortality. Although most patients have a slow, progressive course, some patients will have an acute deterioration in function or acute exacerbation, which carries a poor prognosis. In some cases, acute deterioration is associated with infection. Herpesviruses have been associated with this disease. Fibrocytes have also been shown to be important in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.

Objectives

To develop a murine model for infectious exacerbation of preexisting fibrosis, and provide mechanistic insight into the role of herpesviruses in fibrotic disease.

Methods

We used a model of fluorescein isothiocyanate-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Infection with a murine gammaherpesvirus was giv

SUBMITTER: McMillan TR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2277211 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature