Mast cells and fibroblasts work in concert to aggravate pulmonary fibrosis: role of transmembrane stem cell factor (SCF) and PAR-2/PKCalpha/Raf-1/p44/42 signaling pathway

Mast cell (MC) accumulation has been demonstrated in the lungs of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients. Mediators released from MCs may regulate tissue remodelling processes, thereby contributing to IPF pathogenesis. In this study, we investigated the role of MC-fibroblast interaction for the progression of lung fibrosis. We observed increased number of activated MCs in IPF lungs, located in close proximity to fibroblast foci and alveolar type II cells. Correspondingly, elevated tryptase levels were detected in IPF lung tissue samples. Co-culture of human lung MCs with human lung fibroblasts (HLF) induce…