Human cystatin <scp>C</scp>: <scp>A</scp> new biomarker of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?

Abstract

An excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins is the hallmark of fibrotic disorders. Cats are potent collagenases and might be essential for lung homeostasis. Taken together, increase of cystatin C in IPF BALFs may reflect abnormal regulation of proteolytic activity of Cats in lung, which in turn can promote the development of fibrosis.