| Lung transplantation is a therapeutic option for patients affected with end-stage lung diseases. However, several complications may arise following the procedure, such as Bronchiolitis Obliterans (BO). This condition, characterized by small airway fibrosis, remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients following lung transplantation. It is thought to be a manifestation of chronic rejection within the airways, with hallmark inflammation and fibroproliferation. TGF-beta and other cytokines, including IL-1, IFN-gamma and PDGF, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of fibrosis, mostly in animal models. IL-11 and IL-17 are novel profibrotic cytokines that induce fibroblasts and epithelial cells to produce excess extracellular matrix. They have recently been identified as having a role in tissue remodelling and induction of tissue fibrosis. We hypothesize that IL-11 and IL-17 are involved in chronic lung rejection (Bronchiolitis Obliterans) and that their expression could be a predictive and prognostic marker of chronic lung rejection.; The objectives of the study were to investigate the expression of IL-11 and IL-17 (mRNA and protein) in endobronchial biopsies from lung transplant patients and to define the correlation between the expression of IL-11 and IL-17 and the development of chronic rejection. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
