Mast cells: A pivotal role in pulmonary fibrosis

Arul Veerappan, Nathan J. O'Connor, Jacqueline Brazin, Alicia C. Reid, Albert Jung, David McGee, Barbara Summers, Dascher Branch-Elliman, Brendon Stiles, Stefan Worgall, Robert J. Kaner, Randi B. Silver

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

74 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by an inflammatory response that includes macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and mast cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether mast cells play a role in initiating pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced with bleomycin in mast-cell-deficient WBB6F1-W/Wv (MCD) mice and their congenic controls (WBB6F1-+/+). Mast cell deficiency protected against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, but protection was reversed with the re-introduction of mast cells to the lungs of MCD mice. Two mast cell mediators were identified as fibrogenic: histamine and renin, via angiotensin (ANG II). Both human and rat lung fibroblasts express the histamine H 1 and ANG II AT1 receptor subtypes and when activated, they promote proliferation, transforming growth factor β1 secretion, and collagen synthesis. Mast cells appear to be critical to pulmonary fibrosis. Therapeutic blockade of mast cell degranulation and/or histamine and ANG II receptors should attenuate pulmonary fibrosis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)206-218
Number of pages13
JournalDNA and Cell Biology
Volume32
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2013
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

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