Pulmonary Fibroblasts (PF)

Pulmonary fibroblasts can produce type III collagen, elastin, and protein in the extracellular matrix of alveolar septum. They play an important role in the process of repair and remodeling after tissue injury. The control of the inflammatory site of fibroblasts is critical for effective tissue repair after injury. Inadequate or excessive accumulation of fibroblasts can lead to abnormal tissue function. For example, the excessive proliferation of fibroblasts leads to the development of the outer membrane thickening during hypoxia induced pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary fibroblasts are easy to be cultured in vitro, which can be used in gene transfer and micro injection, which can cause vascular remodeling. Pulmonary fibroblasts are the ideal model to study the physiological changes of pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary artery remodeling and pulmonary artery stenosis.