Table 1 Potential mechanisms to explain how viral infections may predispose the host to develop fibrosis
From: Viruses as co-factors for the initiation or exacerbation of lung fibrosis
Lytic infections may kill lung epithelial cells |
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Latent infections may alter the phenotype (proliferation, apoptosis or mediator secretion) of various lung cells (for example, epithelial and mesenchymal cells) |
Persistent viruses may provide repeated insults with reactivation |
Infection may increase the production of pro-fibrotic mediators (for example, TGF-β) or diminish the production of anti-fibrotic mediators |
Induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition |
Induction of chemokines and fibrocyte recruitment |
Surfactant abnormalities |
Enhanced inflammation |
Alteration of p53 function |
Microvascular injury |