The Novel Small Molecule BTB Inhibits Pro-Fibrotic Fibroblast Behavior though Inhibition of RhoA Activity.

ABSTRACT: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, chronic, interstitial lung disease with a poor prognosis. Although specific anti-fibrotic medications are now available, the median survival time following diagnosis remains very low, and new therapies are urgently needed. To uncover novel therapeutic targets, we examined how biochemical properties of the fibrotic lung are different from the healthy lung. Previous work identified lactate as a metabolite that is upregulated in IPF lung tissue. Importantly, inhibition of the enzyme responsible for lactate production prevents fibrosis in vivo. Further studies revealed that fibrotic lesions of the lung experience a significant decline in tissue pH, likely due to the overproduction of lactate. It is not entirely clear how cells in the lung r

SUBMITTER: Rackow AR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9569993 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature