The role of Forkhead Box O 3a (FoxO3a) Transcription Factors in the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal interstitial pulmonary disease with no proven drug therapy and still unclear signaling mechanisms. Forkhead box O-3a (FoxO3a) transcription factor plays a major role in regulation of cell proliferation and migration. The objectives of this study are to examine how the pro-fibrotic mediators and growth factors regulate FoxO3a protein in primary human lung fibroblasts, as well as to study the role of FoxO transcription factors in the pathogenesis of IPF. We found an increase of phospho-FoxO3a (inactive FoxO3a) protein in IPF lung homogenate compared to…