Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis pathophysiology

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Pathophysiology

Pulmonary fibrosis has often been called an autoimmune disease. However, it is perhaps better characterized as an abnormal and excessive deposition of fibrotic tissue in the pulmonary interstitium with minimal associated inflammation.[1] Autoantibodies, a hallmark of autoimmune diseases, are found in a minority of patients with truly idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Moreover, many autoimmune diseases associated with "pulmonary fibrosis", such as scleroderma, are more frequently associated with a related but more inflammatory disease, nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis.[2] It is associated with smoking[3] and exhibits some dependency on the amount of smoking.[4]

Pathology

Histology
Micrograph of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). UIP most often represents idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. H&E stain. Autopsy specimen.

Histologic specimens for the diagnosis of IPF must be large enough that the pathologist can comment on the underlying lung architecture.

Small biopsies, such as those obtained via transbronchial lung biopsy (performed during bronchoscopy) are generally not sufficient for this purpose. Hence, larger biopsies obtained surgically via a thoracotomy or thoracoscopy are usually necessary.

The histological pattern of fibrosis associated with IPF is referred to as usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP).

Although UIP is required for the diagnosis of IPF, it can be seen in other diseases as well.[5]

Key features of UIP include fibroblast foci, a pattern of temporal heterogeneity, dense interstitial fibrosis in a paraseptal and subpleural distribution, and a relatively mild or minor component of interstitial chronic inflammation.[6] To help narrow the differential diagnosis, an absence of significant granulomatous inflammation, microorganisms, eosinophils, and asbestos bodies is required.

References

  1. Selman, Moisés (2001). "Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: prevailing and evolving hypotheses about its pathogenesis and implications for therapy". Annals of Internal Medicine. 134 (2): 136–51. Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (help)
  2. King, Jr., Talmadge E. (2005). "Centennial review: clinical advances in the diagnosis and therapy of the interstitial lung diseases". American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 172 (3): 268–79.
  3. Nagai, Sonoko (2000). "Smoking-related interstitial lung diseases". Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 6 (5): 415–9. PMID 10958232. Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (help)
  4. Baumgartner, KB (1997). "Cigarette smoking: a risk factor for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis". American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 155 (1): 242–248. PMID 9001319. Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (help)
  5. Kumar, Vinay (2005). Robbins and Cotran's Pathological Basis of Disease (7th ed. ed.). Saunders. p. 729. ISBN 978-0721601878. Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (help)

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