Jones, Mark G., Fabre, Aurélie, Schneider, Philipp, Cinetto, Francesco, Sgalla, Giacomo, Mavrogordato, Mark, Jogai, Sanjay, Alzetani, Aiman, Marshall, Ben G., O'Reilly, Katherine M.A., Warner, Jane A., Lackie, Peter M., Davies, Donna E., Hansell, David M., Nicholson, Andrew G., Sinclair, Ian, Brown, Kevin K. and Richeldi, Luca (2016) Three-dimensional characterization of fibroblast foci in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. JCI Insight, 1 (5), [e86375]. (doi:10.1172/jci.insight.86375).
Abstract
In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the fibroblast focus is a key histological feature representing active fibroproliferation. On standard 2D pathologic examination, fibroblast foci are considered small, distinct lesions, although they have been proposed to form a highly interconnected reticulum as the leading edge of a "wave" of fibrosis. Here, we characterized fibroblast focus morphology and interrelationships in 3D using an integrated micro-CT and histological methodology. In 3D, fibroblast foci were morphologically complex structures, with large variations in shape and volume (range, 1.3 × 10(4) to 9.9 × 10(7) μm(3)). Within each tissue sample numerous multiform foci were present, ranging from a minimum of 0.9 per mm(3) of lung tissue to a maximum of 11.1 per mm(3) of lung tissue. Each focus was an independent structure, and no interconnections were observed. Together, our data indicate that in 3D fibroblast foci form a constellation of heterogeneous structures with large variations in shape and volume, suggesting previously unrecognized plasticity. No evidence of interconnectivity was identified, consistent with the concept that foci represent discrete sites of lung injury and repair.
More information
Identifiers
Catalogue record
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
University divisions
- Faculties (pre 2018 reorg) > Faculty of Engineering and the Environment (pre 2018 reorg) > Southampton Marine & Maritime Institute (pre 2018 reorg)
- Faculties (pre 2018 reorg) > Faculty of Medicine (pre 2018 reorg) > Clinical & Experimental Sciences (pre 2018 reorg)
Current Faculties > Faculty of Medicine > Clinical and Experimental Sciences > Clinical & Experimental Sciences (pre 2018 reorg)
Clinical and Experimental Sciences > Clinical & Experimental Sciences (pre 2018 reorg) - Faculties (pre 2018 reorg) > Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences (pre 2018 reorg) > Institute for Life Sciences (pre 2018 reorg)
Current Faculties > Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences > Institute for Life Sciences > Institute for Life Sciences (pre 2018 reorg)
Institute for Life Sciences > Institute for Life Sciences (pre 2018 reorg) - Faculties (pre 2018 reorg) > Faculty of Engineering and the Environment (pre 2018 reorg) > Mechanical Engineering (pre 2018 reorg) > Engineering Mats & Surface Engineerg Gp (pre 2018 reorg)
Current Faculties > Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences > School of Engineering > Mechanical Engineering > Mechanical Engineering (pre 2018 reorg) > Engineering Mats & Surface Engineerg Gp (pre 2018 reorg)
Mechanical Engineering > Mechanical Engineering (pre 2018 reorg) > Engineering Mats & Surface Engineerg Gp (pre 2018 reorg) - Current Faculties > Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences > School of Engineering > Mechanical Engineering > Bioengineering Group
Mechanical Engineering > Bioengineering Group
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.