Is epithelial-mesenchymal transition in primary human bronchial epithelial cells Smad-dependent and enhanced by fibronectin and TNF-alpha?
The results presented in this study provide additional insights into EMT, a potentially very important mechanism in fibrogenesis. We show that, in addition to alveolar epithelial type II cells, primary HBECs are also able to undergo EMT in vitro upon TGF-beta1 stimulation via a primarily Smad 2/3 dependent mechanism. The effect of TGF-beta1 is potentiated on fibronectin matrix and in the presence of TNF-alpha, representing a millieu reminiscent of fibrotic lesions. Our results can contribute to a better understanding of lung fibrosis and to the development of new therapeutic approaches.
Children with active systemic JIA have profound alterations in the expression of microRNAs that are implicated in monocyte function and polarization. One of these microRNAs, miR-125a-5p, is also a regulator of immunoregulatory M2b macrophages.