Table 2 Potential mechanisms for viral exacerbation of IPF
From: Viruses as co-factors for the initiation or exacerbation of lung fibrosis
Th2 environment in fibrotic lungs may limit viral clearance |
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Epithelial cells in fibrotic lungs may be unable to effectively replace epithelial cells damaged by lytic infection |
Increased chemokines may recruit and activate fibrocytes |
Pro-inflammatory mediators secreted in response to infection may have pro-fibrotic effects |
Steroid and immunosuppressive therapy may predispose the host for increased viral infection or reactivation |
Microvascular injury |