The roles of transforming growth factor-β₁ and vascular endothelial growth factor in the tracheal granulation formation.

Background: Acquired tracheal stenosis is common in patients with a long-term tracheostomy and granulation is one of the most commonly observed lesions in benign airway stenosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of tracheal granulation formation and find the potential therapeutic targets to prevent the granulation formation.

Results: In granulation tissue obtained from patients during interventional bronchoscopy for the relief of airway obstruction, increased expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β₁ and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as well as increased numbers of fibroblasts, was found by immunohistochemical staining.

Bile acid aspiration in suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Aims: The aims of this study were to measure the levels of bile acids in patients with suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and provide a possible pathway for neutrophilic inflammation to explain its proinflammatory effect on the airway.

Methods: Bile acid levels were measured by spectrophotometric enzymatic assay, and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was used to quantify the major bile acids. Alveolar cells were grown on modified air-liquid interface culture inserts, and bile acids were then employed to stimulate the cells.

Bile acids induce CCN2 production through p38 MAP kinase activation in human bronchial epithelial cells: a factor contributing to airway fibrosis.

Background And Objective: Bile acid aspiration occurs in a variety of acute and chronic airway disorders. The consequence of bile acid aspiration and lung disease remains unclear. It was hypothesized that airway epithelium exposure to bile acids would induce fibrosis via production of connective tissue growth factor (CCN2), CCN2 is essential for transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta)-induced fibrogenesis and functions as a downstream mediator of TGF-beta action on fibroblasts.