Fibroblast-associated lipid bodies in the postnatal and adult mammalian lung

Pulmonary lipofibroblasts are thought to be involved in crucial aspects of lung physiology (development, regeneration, vitamin A storage, surfactant synthesis). Given the wide range of functions attributed to this cell type, the present study was designed to investigate the presence of lipofibroblasts in a variety of mammalian species (incl. man) and throughout postnatal development of mice, rats and humans. For this purpose, lung samples from 14 adult mammalian species (Etruscan shrew, mouse, rat, chinchilla, rabbit, dog, seal, goat, human, camel, lama, giraffe, horse and cattle) as well as from postnatal human…