Mediation of the single-walled carbon nanotubes induced pulmonary fibrogenic response by osteopontin and TGF-β1

摘要

Purpose of the study:A number of in vivo studies have shown that pulmonary exposure to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may lead to an acute local inflammatory response, pulmonary fibrosis, and granulomatous lesions. Among the factors that play direct roles in initiation and progression of fibrotic processes are epithelial-mesenchymal transition and myofibroblasts recruitment/differentiation, both mediated by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Yet, other contributors to TGF-β1 associated signaling, such as osteopontin (OPN) has not been fully investigated.