This study by Mu and colleagues was designed to determine the expression of FSAP in a bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis rat model and the influence of FSAP on human pulmonary fibroblasts (HPF).

FSAP was observed prominently in alveolar epithelial cells as well as microvascular endothelial cells of the lung parenchyma and was markedly increased at the early phase of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, but decreased at the late stage, particularly during the pulmonary fibrosis.

The authors demonstrate that epithelial cells in lungs represent a source of FSAP at the early stage in acutely injured lung. Moreover, FSAP had an inhibitory effect on PDGF-stimulated proliferation and migration of human pulmonary fibroblasts in vitro.

Taken together FSAP may modulate inflammation and exert a beneficial effect on acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Title:
Changes in factor VII-activating protease in a bleomycin-induced lung injury rat model and its influence on human pulmonary fibroblasts in vitro.

Authors and Source:
Mu E et al., Int J Mol Med. 2010 Oct;26(4):549-55.