Inhibiting CXCL12 Blocks Fibrocyte Migration and Differentiation and Attenuates Bronchiolitis Obliterans in a Murine Heterotopic Tracheal Transplant Model

摘要

ObjectivesFibrocytes are integral in the development of fibroproliferative disease post lung transplantation. Undifferentiated fibrocytes (CD45+Col1+CXCR4+) preferentially traffic via the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis and differentiate into smooth muscle actin producing (CD45+CXCR4+αSMA+) cells. We postulated that an antibody directed against CXCL12 would attenuate fibrocyte migration and fibro-obliteration of heterotopic tracheal transplant allografts.