The role of apoptosis in the pathophysiology of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): an up-to-date cell-specific review.

ARDS pathophysiology is characterized by complex mechanisms that involve cells of inflammation, lung tissue cells, cytokines, chemokines, as well as apoptosis activators and inhibitors. There are two important theories that link apoptosis with ARDS and suggest that epithelial cell apoptosis, as well as the accumulation of neutrophils in the lung, may contribute to a cascade of events and, finally, ARDS. The activation of the Fas/FasL pathway is an important mechanism of alveolar epithelial injury in the lungs of patients with ALI.