Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

New study probes macrophages' role in developing pulmonary fibrosis

Scientists have long known that white blood cells called macrophages accumulate in the lungs of people suffering from pulmonary fibrosis. What role macrophages play in developing the often fatal lung disease is less clear.

Medications

How a new drug prototype regenerates lung tissue

Pulmonary diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. For many progressive lung diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a key issue is a low supply of new stem cells to repair and reverse ...

Interstitial lung disease

Interstitial lung disease (ILD), also known as diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD), refers to a group of lung diseases affecting the interstitium (the tissue and space around the air sacs of the lungs). It concerns alveolar epithelium, pulmonary capillary endothelium, basement membrane, perivascular and perilymphatic tissues.

The term ILD is used to distinguish these diseases from obstructive airways diseases.

Most types of ILD involve fibrosis, but this is not essential. The term "pulmonary fibrosis" is no longer considered a synonym. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is one form of "interstitial lung disease".

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