Targeting the angiotensin pathway in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background: The angiotensin pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of many fibrotic diseases and in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis an innate overexpression of angiotensin II, a potent TGF-beta 1 inductor has been demonstrated. Angiotensin II therapeutic blockade could be therefore a promising antifibrotic approach. Objective: Discussion of the results of a preclinical study assessing the antifibrotic efficacy of olmesartan and PD123319 in an experimental lung fibrosis [1]. Methods/results: This study demonstrated that in belomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis both compounds had significant anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic activities. Conclusion: Targeting the angiotensin pathway with specific blocking agents could represent a promising antifibrotic treatment.