Chemokine-mediated angiogenesis: an essential link in the evolution of airway fibroses?

Angiogenesis may be an important factor in the development of fibrotic lung disease. Prior studies have strongly suggested a role for angiogenic vascular remodeling in pulmonary fibrosis, and emerging evidence indicates that new vessel formation is critical in airway fibrosis. Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome is a fibrotic occlusion of distal airways that is largely responsible for the morbidity and mortality of patients after lung transplantation. In this issue, Belperio et al. demonstrate a role for CXC chemokine receptor 2 in the regulation of angiogenesis-mediated airway fibroproliferation (see the related article beginning on page 1150). By integrating an understanding of neovascularization into the study of events that occur between inflammation and fibrosis, it becomes increasingly possible to rationally design therapies that can halt conditions of maladaptive fibrosis.