Pulmonary toxicants and fibrosis: innate and adaptive immune mechanisms
Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by destruction and remodeling of the lung due to an accumulation of collagen and other extracellular matrix components in the tissue. This results in progressive irreversible decreases in lung capacity, impaired gas exchange and eventually, hypoxemia. A number of inhaled and systemic toxicants including bleomycin, silica, asbestos, nanoparticles, mustard vesicants, nitrofurantoin, amiodarone, and ionizing radiation have been identified.