Non-invasive Imaging of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Using Cathepsin Protease Probes.

ABSTRACT: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal, chronic, progressive disease characterized by formation of scar tissue within the lungs. Because it is a disease of unknown etiology, it is difficult to diagnose, to predict disease course and to devise treatment strategies. Recent evidence suggests that activated macrophages play key roles in the pathology of IPF. Therefore, imaging probes that specifically recognize these pools of activated immune cells could provide valuable information about how these cells contribute to the pathobiology of the disease. Here we demonstrate that cysteine cathepsin-targeted imaging probes can be used to monitor the contribution of macrophages to fibrotic disease progression in the bleomycin-induced murine model of pulmonary fibrosis. Furthermore, we show t

SUBMITTER: Withana NP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4726431 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature