Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xv, 190 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

<p>Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is a common condition in the setting of lung and breast cancer. Often, patients who suffer from RILI experience pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis months after treatment. These pathologies have commonly been modeled using mice and observing their deterioration until mortality and quantifying pathology on histological sections.<b> </b></p> <p>With this study, we used a longitudinal microCT and a 7T MRI to characterize male C57Bl/6 mice irradiated with a single dose of 20 Gy to the whole thoracic area delivered by an X-Rad cabinent irradiator. CT was performed with a respiratory gating sequence at 2 week timepoints to construct an RIPF model. The fraction of RIPF to total lung volume was calculated at each time point from images, and the data was anaylzed using one-way ANOVA Welch and Dunnett’s T3 multiple comparisons tests. Tidal lung volumes were also calculated and anlyazed in a simlar manner. Mice were then imaged using MRI and CT at 0, 5, and 8 week timepoints to compare results. These results were analyzed for comparison (ANOVA and Dunnett’s T3) and correlation (Pearson’s r) with each other. Histology was later performed using H&E and Trichrome stains to provide ex-vivo verification of pathology.<b> </b>At the 10-12 week time point ( ) significant RIPF formed. Weeks proceeding showed increased significance until the 22+ week timepoint, which showed less statistical significance ( ) due to increased variance at this timepoint. Dunnett’s T3 test showed no significant differences between tidal lung volumes over time. Tests also showed no significant differences between CT and MRI results with a correlation coefficient of .<b> </b>Early in the study, problems arose when pre-marture mortality was occurring to a significant portion of our subjects. Analysis later showed issues during irradiation that resulted in significant dose being absorbed by the stomach. Adjusting our shiedling lead to increased early survival of our subjects enabling us to contine our study. Significant RIPF development was not significant until 10-12 weeks post-irradiation, then RIPF became more severe at proceeding timepoints. Tidal lung volume showed no significant deviation over the development of RIPF. This result is most likely affected by the variation of results at later timepoints, since several mice with severe RIPF were significantly hindered in their ability to breathe during the study. MRI results showed close correlation with CT results and prodcued similar values at early timepoints. However, noticeable differences were seen at later timepoints when significant RIPF developed ( ). <b></b></p>

Tang, Yongjiang. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 159-202). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

[Truncated abstract] Fibrosis is a feature of many pulmonary conditions, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which is characterised by the accumulation of fibroblasts/myofibroblasts and excessive deposition of collagen. IPF is a disease of unknown aetiology that is unresponsive to current therapy and is typically fatal. The inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 is elevated in patients with IPF and recent studies have shown that IL-6-induced signalling is altered in lung fibroblasts from patients with IPF. IL-6 belongs to the gp130 cytokine family, which is a group of ten structurally related cytokines, that all require the membrane bound glycoprotein gp130 to activate intracellular signalling pathways. Gp130 activates intracellular signalling through the Shp2-ERK1/2 and STAT1/3 pathways to mediate cellular activities. This thesis tests the hypothesis that gp130-mediated signalling is dysregulated in the development and progression of pulmonary fibrosis. To address this hypothesis, I assessed the role of gp130-mediated signalling in a mouse model of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. This thesis utilised two novel gp130 mutant mice strains with directed and enhanced gp130-mediated Shp2-ERK1/2 (gp130¿STAT/¿STAT) or STAT1/3 (gp130757F/757F) signalling. I observed complete protection from fibrosis in gp130¿STAT/¿STAT mice up to 60 days after bleomycin treatment and profound fibrosis in gp130757F/757F mice compared to wt controls. The enhanced fibrosis observed in gp130757F/757F mice was diminished by monoallelic deletion of STAT3 (gp130757F/757F;STAT3+/-), identifying gp130-STAT3 signalling as a novel promoter of lung fibrosis. ... In addition, IL-6/11 activation of gp130-mediated signalling modulated transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß-induced effects on adult fibroblast proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation. Interaction between IL-6/11 and TGF-ß1 on fibroblast proliferation was dependent on both the gp130-ERK1/2 and gp130-STAT1/3 pathways. Loss of either pathway abrogated the effects of IL-6 and IL-11 on TGF-ß1- 4 induced fibroblast proliferation. However, it was clear that gp130-STAT3 signalling inhibited TGF-ß1-induced myofibroblast differentiation of primary lung fibroblasts. The inhibition of myofibroblast differentiation was associated with gp130-STAT3 dependent inhibition of TGF-ß1-induced Smad3 phosphorylation. These results indicate that IL-6 and IL-11 promote myofibroblastic differentiation of lung fibroblasts, while gp130-STAT3 signalling inhibits TGF-ß1-induced Smad3 phosphorylation and myofibroblastic differentiation of lung fibroblasts While the pathogenesis of IPF is unknown, it is believed that excessive collagen deposition, aberrant fibroblast behaviour and an inflammatory response are critical to the progression of this disease. It has been shown here that IL-6 family cytokines mediate the development and progression of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis by increasing collagen synthesis, fibroblast proliferation, myofibroblast differentiation and inflammation through gp130-STAT3 signalling. This thesis has demonstrated that differential activation of cytoplasmic signalling pathways by a membrane bound receptor can have a profound effect on pulmonary responses to injury. Furthermore, this thesis is the first study to identify the gp130-STAT3 pathway as a therapeutic target in the treatment of IPF.

The present study was initiated to evaluate the pulmonary inflammatory and fibrotic responses induced by single and repeated exposures to glass fibers. Single and repeated intratracheal injections of glass fibers induced an acute inflammatory response which progressed to a chronic inflammatory and fibrotic response. Mice exposed to glass fibers in single or repeated doses demonstrated elevated numbers of eosinophils, neutrophils and macrophages and increases in cell-free protein in lung lavage fluid at five days post-exposure. These parameters, in addition to relative lung/body weight ratios and lung tissue hydroxyproline levels, were elevated in comparison to saline control animals at five weeks post-exposure. Although repeated exposures to glass fibers did not potentiate the cellular inflammatory response, they did induce a marked infiltration of eosinophils, a response not observed with either asbestos or silica exposures. These observations suggest that glass fibers may be more toxic to the lungs than previously thought.

A patogênese da Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática (FPI/PIU), doença fibroproliferativa crônica, é caracterizada por um processo de reparação anormal com acentuada deposição de matriz extra celular. Neste contexto, a importância das alterações vasculares na evolução da FPI/PIU permanece controversa.O presente estudo objetiva quantificar as alterações histopatológicas da macro e microcirculação pulmonar na FPI/PIU e seu valor prognóstico. Foram avaliados retrospectivamente as biópsias pulmonares e a sobrevida de 36 pacientes com FPI/PIU. Na biópsia pulmonar, as lesões do parênquima foram analisadas através da quantificação do grau de atividade fibrogênica (leve, moderado e acentuado). A quantificação das alterações vasculares foi feita isoladamente nas áreas normais, de colapso alveolar e de fibrose mural organizante. A macrocirculação foi estudada através da análise semiquantitativa das artérias pré acinares quanto ao grau de lesão vascular, grau de oclusão e da espessura da parede do vaso, e quantificação de fibras elásticas e de colágeno vasculares. No estudo da microcirculação, os capilares foram analisados quanto a densidade capilar, através de imunomarcador endotelial (CD34), e a disfunção endotelial, através do aumento da expressão de moléculas de adesão (VCAM1, ICAM1, E-Selectina). As biópsias de 5 pulmões normais foram utilizadas como controles. À análise da macrocirculação, quanto maior o grau de atividade fibrogênica, mais acentuado foi o grau de lesão vascular (p=0,007), da espessura (p<0,05) e da quantificação de fibras de colágeno (p<0,001) e elástica (p=0,002) vasculares. Quanto à microcirculação, a densidade microvascular (CD34) nas áreas de pulmão normal (p<0,001) e colapso alveolar (p<0,01) foram maiores que no grupo controle. Pacientes com atividade fibrogênica leve (p=0,2) e moderada (p=0,08) apresentaram tendência a aumento da densidade vascular nas áreas normais comparados aos pacientes com atividade fibrogênica acentuada. A disfunção endoletial (VCAM1, ICAM1 e E-selectina) foi maior em pacientes com FPI/PIU que em controles normais (p<0,05), e ocorreu, principalmente, nas áreas de fibrose mural organizante. A disfunção endotelial (VCAM1+) nas áreas normais aumentou conforme maior o grau de atividade fibrogênica (p=0,01). Pacientes com maior quantificação de fibras de colágeno e elástica na parede do vaso (p=0,04; p=0,03; Teste Log Rank) e maior disfunção endotelial (VCAM1+) nas áreas fibrose mural organizante (p=0,027) apresentaram menor sobrevida. A maior densidade microvascular nas áreas não fibróticas correlacionou-se com sobrevida maior (p=0,04). Observamos a existência de remodelamento vascular na macro e microcirculação pulmonar dos pacientes com fibrose pulmonar idiopática que ocorre de maneira heterogênea e paralela ao remodelamento parenquimatoso. Essas alterações correlacionam-se com a sobrevida, permitindo formular uma hipótese de participação dos eventos vasculares na patogênese da FPI/UIP / The Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF/UIP), a chronic fibroproliferative disease, is characterized by a process of impaired wound healing with extracellular matrix deposition. In this context, the importance of the vascular alterations in the evolution of IPF/UIP remains controversial. The present study aims to quantify the histopatological alterations in the pulmonary macro and microcirculation in IPF/UIP and their prognostic value. Pulmonary biopsies and the survival of 36 patients with IPF/UIP were evaluated retrospectivately. In the pulmonary biopsy, the parenchyma remodeling was analyzed through the quantification of the fibrogenic activity level (minimal, moderate and severe). The quantification of the vascular alterations was done isolately in the normal, alveolar collapsed and mural-organizing fibrosing areas. The macrocirculation was studied through the semiquantitative analysis of pre acinar artery, according to the degree of vascular lesion, occlusion and thickness of the vessel wall, and quantification of vascular collagen and elastic deposition. Microcirculation analysis was performed measuring capillary density (CD34), and endothelial dysfunction (VCAM1, ICAM1, E-Selectina). The biopsies of 5 normal lungs were used as control. Macrocirculation analysis showed that degree of fibrogenic activity directly correlated with: degree of vascular lesion (p=0,007), thickness of vessel wall (p<0,05) and quantification of vascular collagen (p<0,001) and elastic fibers (p=0,002). Regarding microcirculation, the capillary vascular density (CD34) in normal (p<0,001) and alveolar collapsed (p<0,01) areas were higher than control group. Patients with minimal (p=0,2) and moderate (p=0,08) fibrogenic activity had a tendency to higher vascular density in normal areas compared to patients with severe fibrogenic activity. The endothelial dysfunction (VCAM1, ICAM1, E-selectina) was more intense in patients with IPF/PIU than normal controls (p<0,05), and it occurred, mainly, in mural-organizing fibrosing areas. In normal areas, endothelial dysfunction (VCAM1+) correlated with the degree of fibrogenic activity (p=0,01). Shorter survival correlated with collagen and elastic fibers deposition in wall vessels (p=0,04; p=0,03 Test Log Rank) and endothelial dysfunction (VCAM1+) in mural-organizing fibrosing areas (p=0,027), while microvascular density in non-fibrotic areas was related to longer survival (p=0,04). We observed the presence of vascular remodeling in pulmonary macro and microcirculation of IPF patients, which occurs in a heterogeneous and parallel way with parenchyma remodeling. These alterations were related to survival, enabling us to formulate a hypothesis of the participation of vascular events on IPF pathogenesis

Pneumonia intersticial familiar (PIF) é definida como a ocorrência de pelo menos dois casos de pneumonia intersticial fibrosante em uma mesma família biológica. Apesar do avanço sobre o tema em anos recentes, ainda não há estudos brasileiros nessa área. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar uma amostra de pacientes brasileiros com PIF quanto aos aspectos clínicos, radiológicos, anatomopatológicos e genéticos, bem como analisar os respectivos comprimentos teloméricos (CT). Entre março de 2014 e novembro de 2017 foi realizada uma busca ativa por casos de PIF. Os pacientes identificados foram submetidos a testes de função pulmonar; tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução (TCAR) de tórax e a coleta de amostras de sangue. Ainda foram realizadas avaliações empregando ficha clínica padronizada. Amostras de tecido pulmonar foram obtidas e revisadas em seis casos. Empregando-se um kit apropriado, DNA genômico foi extraído de células brancas do sangue periférico. A avaliação do CT foi feita pelo método de Southern blot. Um painel envolvendo 154 genes de interesse foi desenvolvido pelo grupo de pesquisa e construído pela empresa Agilent Technologies. A pesquisa desses genes foi realizada empregando-se técnicas de sequenciamento de nova geração (NGS-Illumina). Foram selecionados 35 pacientes, com idade mediana de 66 (35,5-89,3) anos. Tabagismo e outras exposições ambientais estiveram presentes em 45,7% e 80% dos casos, respectivamente. Estertores finos foram identificados em 91,4% dos pacientes e baqueteamento digital em 20%. Os testes de função pulmonar foram classificados como restritivos em 20 (57,1%), normais em 10 (28,6%), inespecíficos em 4 (11,45) e obstrutivo leve em 1 (2,9%). A DCO esteve reduzida nos 30 pacientes em que foi possível pesquisá-la. Padrão típico de PIU na TCAR foi detectado em 6 (17,1%) pacientes e padrão indeterminado para PIU em outros 4 (11,4%). A maioria dos casos, 25 (71,4%), exibiu padrão tomográficoinconsistente com PIU. A revisão do material anatomopatológico revelou pneumonite intersticial com acentuação bronquiolocêntrica em quatro indivíduos. A grande maioria (85,7%) mostrou CTs inferiores ao percentil 50%. Quatro indivíduos exibiram CTs curtos e um muito curto. Foram identificadas variantes genéticas comuns no promotor do gene MUC5B (rs35705950), nos genes TOLLIP (rs111521887, rs5743894 e rs5743890) ou TERT (rs2736100) em 90% dos casos. Detectaram-se ainda sete variantes raras distintas. As alterações c.2594G>A e c.2146G>A do gene TERT, e c.394C>T do gene RTEL1, previamente descritas e associadas a telomeropatias. Uma anormalidade de TERT (c.1730G>A) e outra de RTEL1 (c.2299C>T) inéditas. Duas outras variantes raras encontradas já conhecidas, ainda não haviam sido associadas a doenças pulmonares: gene SHQ1 (c.828_831del) e gene WRAP53 (c.1558dupG). Em conclusão, pacientes brasileiros com PIF demonstram acentuada heterogeneidade fenotípica e genotípica. Este estudo identificou ainda duas novas variantes genéticas raras associadas a PIF e dois possíveis novos genes implicados na patogênese dessa doença. / Familial interstitial pneumonia (FIP) is defined as the occurrence of at least two cases of interstitial fibrosing pneumonias in the same biological family. Despite advances in the field in recent years, there are no Brazilian studies in this area. The aim of this study was to characterize a sample of Brazilian patients with PIF regarding clinical, radiological, histological and genetic aspects, as well as to analyze the respective telomeric lengths (TL). Between March 2014 and November 2017 an active search was conducted for FIP cases. The patients identified were submitted to pulmonary function tests, high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest and the collection of blood samples. In addition, a standardized clinical file was also fulfilled. Pulmonary tissue samples were obtained and reviewed in six cases. Using a suitable kit, genomic DNA was extracted from white peripheral blood cells. The TL measurements were done by Southern blot method. A panel of 154 genes of interest was developed by the research group and built by Agilent Technologies. Research on these genes was carried out using next generation sequencing techniques (NGSIllumina). Thirty-five patients were selected, with a median age of 66 (35.5-89.3) years. Smoking and other environmental exposures were present in, respectively, 45.7% and 80% of the cases. Fine crackles were identified in 91.4% of patients and digital clubbing in 20%. Pulmonary function tests were classified as restrictive in 20 (57.1%), normal in 10 (28.6%), non-specific in 4 (11.45) and mild obstructive in 1 (2.9%). The DLCO was reduced in the 30 patients in whom it was possible to investigate it. Typical pattern of UIP in HRCT was detected in 6 (17.1%) patients and undetermined pattern for UIP in another 4 (11.4%). The majority of cases, 25 (71.4%), showed a tomographic pattern inconsistent with UIP. The review of histological material revealed interstitial pneumonitis with bronchiolocentric accentuation in four individuals. The vast majority (85.7%) showed TL lower than the 50th percentile. Four individuals had short TL and one a very short TL. Commongenetic variants were identified in the MUC5B gene promoter (rs35705950), in the TOLLIP genes (rs111521887, rs5743894 and rs5743890) or TERT (rs2736100) in 90% of the cases. Seven different rare variants were also detected: the changes c.2594G> A and c.2146G> A of the TERT gene, and c.394C> T of the RTEL1 gene, previously described and associated with telomeropathy; one previously unknown abnormality of TERT (c.1730G> A) and another of RTEL1 (c.2299C> T); two additional rare genetic variants, had not yet been associated with pulmonary diseases: SHQ1 gene (c.828_831del) and WRAP53 gene (c.1558dupG). In conclusion, FIP Brazilian patients demonstrate marked phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity. This study also identified two new rare genetic variants associated with FIP and two other possible new genes implicated in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Orientador: Rinaldo Poncio Mendes / Banca: Silvio Alencar Marques / Banca: Mário Léon Silva Vergara / Banca: Anamaria Mello Miranda Paniago / Banca: Gil Bernard / Resumo: Não há estudos publicados que tenham comparado itraconazol (ITC), associação sulfametoxazol-trimetoprim (cotrimoxazol - CMX) e ITC seguido de CMX (ITC/CMX), no tratamento da paracoccidioidomicose (PCM). Este estudo foi realizado para comparar eficácia, efetividade, segurança e tempos necessários para se alcançar cura clínica e sorológica em pacientes com PCM tratados com ITC ou CMX, antifúngicos mais utilizados nessa micose. Foi conduzido um estudo quasi-experimental em 177 pacientes com diagnóstico confirmado ou provável de PCM, virgens de tratamento ou com doença reativada e há pelo menos seis meses sem antifúngicos. Foram consideradas duas fases no tratamento: 1) inicial ou de ataque, mantido até se obter cura clínica e normalização da velocidade de hemossedimentação; 2) complementar, mantido até obtenção da cura sorológica. A comparação de médias foi feita pelo teste de Mann-Whitney, a de freqüências pelo teste do chi-quadrado e das variáveis em função do tempo pelas curvas de Kaplan-Meier e regressão de Cox, utilizando-se p≤0,05 para indicação de diferenças significantes. No tratamento de ataque, 47 pacientes tratados com ITC e 130 que receberam CMX não revelaram diferença de eficácia e efetividade, mas foi menor o tempo de cura clínica para os que receberam ITC que os tratados com CMX (105 vs 159 dias; p=0,001), em especial pacientes com forma crônica. No tratamento complementar, eficácia e efetividade foram similares nos três tratamentos, porém o tempo de cura sorológica foi menor com ITC (161 dias) e CMX (495 dias) do que com ITC/CMX (881 dias) [p=0,02]. Os preditores independentes de menor tempo de cura sorológica foram tratamento com ITC [razão de risco = 6,61; IC95% (2,01- 21,75)] e CMX [razão de risco = 5,11;IC95% (1,91-13,67)]). A prevalência de efeitos colaterais foi menor com ITC (6,4%) do que com CMX (20,0%; p=0,03). Este estudo revelou ... / Abstract: Not available / Doutor

A patogênese da Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática (FPI/PIU), doença fibroproliferativa crônica, é caracterizada por um processo de reparação anormal com acentuada deposição de matriz extra celular. Neste contexto, a importância das alterações vasculares na evolução da FPI/PIU permanece controversa.O presente estudo objetiva quantificar as alterações histopatológicas da macro e microcirculação pulmonar na FPI/PIU e seu valor prognóstico. Foram avaliados retrospectivamente as biópsias pulmonares e a sobrevida de 36 pacientes com FPI/PIU. Na biópsia pulmonar, as lesões do parênquima foram analisadas através da quantificação do grau de atividade fibrogênica (leve, moderado e acentuado). A quantificação das alterações vasculares foi feita isoladamente nas áreas normais, de colapso alveolar e de fibrose mural organizante. A macrocirculação foi estudada através da análise semiquantitativa das artérias pré acinares quanto ao grau de lesão vascular, grau de oclusão e da espessura da parede do vaso, e quantificação de fibras elásticas e de colágeno vasculares. No estudo da microcirculação, os capilares foram analisados quanto a densidade capilar, através de imunomarcador endotelial (CD34), e a disfunção endotelial, através do aumento da expressão de moléculas de adesão (VCAM1, ICAM1, E-Selectina). As biópsias de 5 pulmões normais foram utilizadas como controles. À análise da macrocirculação, quanto maior o grau de atividade fibrogênica, mais acentuado foi o grau de lesão vascular (p=0,007), da espessura (p<0,05) e da quantificação de fibras de colágeno (p<0,001) e elástica (p=0,002) vasculares. Quanto à microcirculação, a densidade microvascular (CD34) nas áreas de pulmão normal (p<0,001) e colapso alveolar (p<0,01) foram maiores que no grupo controle. Pacientes com atividade fibrogênica leve (p=0,2) e moderada (p=0,08) apresentaram tendência a aumento da densidade vascular nas áreas normais comparados aos pacientes com atividade fibrogênica acentuada. A disfunção endoletial (VCAM1, ICAM1 e E-selectina) foi maior em pacientes com FPI/PIU que em controles normais (p<0,05), e ocorreu, principalmente, nas áreas de fibrose mural organizante. A disfunção endotelial (VCAM1+) nas áreas normais aumentou conforme maior o grau de atividade fibrogênica (p=0,01). Pacientes com maior quantificação de fibras de colágeno e elástica na parede do vaso (p=0,04; p=0,03; Teste Log Rank) e maior disfunção endotelial (VCAM1+) nas áreas fibrose mural organizante (p=0,027) apresentaram menor sobrevida. A maior densidade microvascular nas áreas não fibróticas correlacionou-se com sobrevida maior (p=0,04). Observamos a existência de remodelamento vascular na macro e microcirculação pulmonar dos pacientes com fibrose pulmonar idiopática que ocorre de maneira heterogênea e paralela ao remodelamento parenquimatoso. Essas alterações correlacionam-se com a sobrevida, permitindo formular uma hipótese de participação dos eventos vasculares na patogênese da FPI/UIP / The Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF/UIP), a chronic fibroproliferative disease, is characterized by a process of impaired wound healing with extracellular matrix deposition. In this context, the importance of the vascular alterations in the evolution of IPF/UIP remains controversial. The present study aims to quantify the histopatological alterations in the pulmonary macro and microcirculation in IPF/UIP and their prognostic value. Pulmonary biopsies and the survival of 36 patients with IPF/UIP were evaluated retrospectivately. In the pulmonary biopsy, the parenchyma remodeling was analyzed through the quantification of the fibrogenic activity level (minimal, moderate and severe). The quantification of the vascular alterations was done isolately in the normal, alveolar collapsed and mural-organizing fibrosing areas. The macrocirculation was studied through the semiquantitative analysis of pre acinar artery, according to the degree of vascular lesion, occlusion and thickness of the vessel wall, and quantification of vascular collagen and elastic deposition. Microcirculation analysis was performed measuring capillary density (CD34), and endothelial dysfunction (VCAM1, ICAM1, E-Selectina). The biopsies of 5 normal lungs were used as control. Macrocirculation analysis showed that degree of fibrogenic activity directly correlated with: degree of vascular lesion (p=0,007), thickness of vessel wall (p<0,05) and quantification of vascular collagen (p<0,001) and elastic fibers (p=0,002). Regarding microcirculation, the capillary vascular density (CD34) in normal (p<0,001) and alveolar collapsed (p<0,01) areas were higher than control group. Patients with minimal (p=0,2) and moderate (p=0,08) fibrogenic activity had a tendency to higher vascular density in normal areas compared to patients with severe fibrogenic activity. The endothelial dysfunction (VCAM1, ICAM1, E-selectina) was more intense in patients with IPF/PIU than normal controls (p<0,05), and it occurred, mainly, in mural-organizing fibrosing areas. In normal areas, endothelial dysfunction (VCAM1+) correlated with the degree of fibrogenic activity (p=0,01). Shorter survival correlated with collagen and elastic fibers deposition in wall vessels (p=0,04; p=0,03 Test Log Rank) and endothelial dysfunction (VCAM1+) in mural-organizing fibrosing areas (p=0,027), while microvascular density in non-fibrotic areas was related to longer survival (p=0,04). We observed the presence of vascular remodeling in pulmonary macro and microcirculation of IPF patients, which occurs in a heterogeneous and parallel way with parenchyma remodeling. These alterations were related to survival, enabling us to formulate a hypothesis of the participation of vascular events on IPF pathogenesis

Introdução: A fibrose pulmonar idiopática (FPI) é uma grave doença pulmonar crônica com sintomas de dispneia progressiva, resultando na diminuição da capacidade de exercício, impactando negativamente na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QVRS). A reabilitação pulmonar (RP) melhora a capacidade funcional (CF) com redução dos sintomas, porém na FPI avançada seus efeitos e magnitudes são pouco conhecidos. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto da RP sobre a QVRS e a CF em pacientes portadores de FPI. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectiva em que foram revisados dados de 56 prontuários de pacientes em lista de transplante de pulmão com diagnóstico de FPI de acordo com o consenso da American Toracic Society 2011, submetidos a 12 semanas (36 sessões) de RP ambulatorial entre o período de janeiro de 2008 a outubro de 2012. Foram avaliadas a CF e a QVRS através do teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6) e do questionário 36-item short-form survey, SF36, respectivamente, antes e imediatamente após a RP. Resultados: Vinte e sete pacientes foram incluídos no estudo, 16 (61%) gênero masculino com idade média de 53 ±13 anos. Dezoito pacientes (68%) tinham diagnóstico histológico por biópsia pulmonar com padrão de pneumonia intersticial usual (PIU), com tempo médio de diagnóstico de 3 ±1,7 anos. Quanto à classificação da dispneia pela escala modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) basal, 59% dos pacientes foram classificados entre 3-4. Houve aumento significativo na distância percorrida de 393 ±88 metros para 453 ±90 metros (p<0,001). As medianas de dispneia sofreram diminuição significativa (p=0,01) na escala do mMRC de 2 (IC95%: 1-4) para 1 (IC95%: 1-4) e de 5 (Mín/Máx:1-10) para 3 (Mín/Máx:0-10) no BORG de dispneia no final do TC6. Apesar de caminharem maiores distâncias, a fadiga em membros inferiores foi menor com uma mediana de 2 (Mín/Máx:0-10) para 1 (Mín/Máx:0-9) (p=0,02). Houve aumento em 5 dos 8 domínios, porém somente a capacidade funcional foi significativa de 26 (IC95%: 19-33) para 37 (IC95%: 27-48) (p<0,05); os demais domínios não tiveram significância estatística. Conclusão: Observaram-se nestes pacientes aumentos da CF, com diminuição dos sintomas dispneia e fadiga; o que não se refletiu em melhora clínica na QVRS em portadores de FPI em lista de transplante de pulmão após um programa de RP. / Introduction: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease with severe symptoms of progressive dyspnea, resulting in decreased exercise capacity, negatively impacting the health-related quality of life (HRQL). Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves functional capacity (FC) with reduction in symptoms, but in advanced IPF, its effects and magnitudes are unknown. Objective: To evaluate the impact of PR and in HRQL and in FC of patients with IPF. Methods: Coorte study with a retrospective review of data from 56 medical records of patients on lung transplant list diagnosed with IPF according to the American Toracic Society 2011 consensus, submitted to 12 weeks (36 sessions) of outpatient RP between January 2008 and October 2012. The FC and the HRQL were assessed through a six-minute walk test (6MWT) and the 36-item short-form survey (SF36) respectively before and immediately after PR. Results: Twenty-seven patients were included in the study, 16 (61%) male with a mean age of 53 ± 13 years. Eighteen patients (68%) had histologic diagnosis by lung biopsy compatible with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), with median time from diagnosis of 3 ± 1.7 years. Regarding the classification of the dyspnea in the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale, 59% of patients were classified between 3-4. There was a significant increase in the distance covered from 393 ± 88 meters to 453 ± 90 meters (p <0.001). The baseline medians of dyspnea had a significant decrease (p = 0.01) in the mMRC scale from 2 (CI 95%: 1-4) to 1 (CI 95%: 1-4) and the median decreased from 5 (Min/Max: 1-10) to 3 (Min/Max :0-10) in the Borg dyspnea index at the end of the 6MWT. Although the patients walked greater distances, they had less fatigue in the legs, with a median decrease from 2 (Min/Max: 0-10) to 1 (Min/Max: 0-9) (p = 0.02). There was an increase in 5 of the 8 domains, but only the functional capacity was significant: from 26 (CI95%: 19-33) to 37 (CI95%: 27-48) (p <0.05), while the remaining areas were not statistically significant. Conclusion: We observed increases of FC in these patients, with decreased symptoms of dyspnea and fatigue; which were not reflected in clinical improvement in HRQL of patients with IPF on lung transplant list after a PR program.