Researchers have just found some really exciting information that will be crucial in the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) treatments from here on out.
Scientists at Northwestern Medicine have discovered that some immune cells actually play a crucial role in making the framework for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a condition that causes scar tissue to grow in the lungs. This scar tissue is normally pretty thick, often impeding the flow of oxygen from the lungs into the blood. As a result, the body does not always function properly as it should, and the lungs slowly become more and more damaged.
As of now, there is no cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Treatments of this condition are geared merely towards slowing the progression of lung damage.
Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care in the Department of Medicine at Northwestern, Dr. Scott Budinger, led this study along with Harris Perlman, Ph.D., and Chief of Rheumatology in the Department of Medicine.
Before this study, it was a widely held belief that immune cells were irrelevant to the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in patients.
These scientists, however, discovered that immune cells were actually quite relevant. They found that a new sub-population of immune cells, monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages, were crucial driving factors in the acquisition of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Even cooler, they found that the genetic deletion of these cells stopped fibrosis in mice. With all this new information, it’s clear as to why scientists are so excited.
Dr. Alexander Misharin, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, says,
“This will be transformative for the field. Pulmonary fibrosis is a complex disease — it’s not driven by a single gene or cell type — but this study now demonstrates that these immune cells play a key role. This will change the current paradigm.”
Not only do they now know that targeting these cells can either stop or slow the disease, but they also know that these cells are also not necessary for normal body function—simply put, the body can behave perfectly without them.
In light of all of this, researchers are looking forward to huge breakthroughs in treatment soon.
To read more about this amazing research, click this link!
