Accuri C6 Flow Cytometer System
Originally published online as doi:10.1189/jlb.0309132 on July 6, 2009

Published online before print July 6, 2009
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(Journal of Leukocyte Biology. 2009;86:1111-1118.)
© 2009 Society for Leukocyte Biology

The role of circulating mesenchymal progenitor cells (fibrocytes) in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis

Robert M. Strieter*,1, Ellen C. Keeley{dagger}, Molly A. Hughes{ddagger}, Marie D. Burdick* and Borna Mehrad*

{dagger} Department of Medicine, Divisions of Cardiology,
{ddagger} Infectious Diseases, and
* Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

1. Correspondence: University of Virginia, Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care, Box 800466, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0466, USA. E-mail: strieter{at}virginia.edu

ABSTRACT

Pulmonary fibrosis is associated with a number of disorders that affect the lung. Although there are several cellular types that are involved in the pathogenesis pulmonary fibrosis, the resident lung fibroblast has been viewed traditionally as the primary cell involved in promoting the deposition of ECM that culminates in pulmonary fibrosis. However, recent findings demonstrate that a circulating cell (i.e., the fibrocyte) can contribute to the evolution of pulmonary fibrosis. Fibrocytes are bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells that express a variety of cell-surface markers related to leukocytes, hematopoietic progenitor cells, and fibroblasts. Fibrocytes are unique in that they are capable of differentiating into fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, as well as adipocytes. In this review, we present data supporting the critical role these cells play in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.

Key Words: trafficking • migration