Increased Expression of Ect2, a Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor for Rho GTPases, in Hyperplastic Alveolar Epithelial Cells in IPF

Rationale: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease characterized by fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, leading to distorted lung architecture and function. During disease progression, repetitive alveolar epithelial injury and repair processes lead to enhanced fibroblast activation and ECM deposition, but molecular mechanisms thereof remain elusive. Previously, we have reported altered gene expression profiles of alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) in IPF, leading to AEC hyperplasia. Methods and Results: Here, we demonstrate that the epithelial cell t…