Type II pneumocytes are multifunctional alveolar epithelial cells that play a major role in the maintenance of lung structure and function. Recent evidence supports that these cells can synthesize a variety of extracellular ...

Pulmonary fibrosis is the end-point of a numerous and heterogeneous group of disorders known as interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Lung fibrotic remodeling is characterized by fibroblast/myofibroblast activation, and excessive ...

We examined the expression of interstitial collagenase and its enzymatic activity in lung damage induced by tobacco smoke. Guinea pigs were exposed to the smoke of 20 cigarettes per day from 1-8 wk. Age-matched guinea pigs ...