Fibrocytes Contribute to Inflammation and Fibrosis in Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis through Paracrine Effects

Abstract

These findings demonstrate that high levels of fibrocytes are present in the peripheral blood of patients with chronic HP and that these cells infiltrate the HP lungs. Fibrocytes may participate in the pathogenesis of HP, amplifying the inflammatory and fibrotic response by paracrine signaling inducing the secretion of a variety of proinflammatory and profibrotic molecules.