Randomized trial reveals the activation of TGF-β/SMAD pathway contributes to macrophage-myofibroblast transition in bronchiolitis obliterans post Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.
Key Points
The study aimed to investigate the role of the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway in macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition during post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans.
Used an animal model of bronchiolitis obliterans following Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.
Performed RNA extraction and quantitative PCR for gene expression analysis of key proteins.
Conducted dual-color immunofluorescence staining and single-cell RNA sequencing on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.
TGF-β1/SMAD signaling was activated in lung macrophages with peak expression of critical genes on specific days post-infection.
Phosphorylated SMAD2/3 increased significantly on days 3 and 7, while co-localization of CD206+ macrophages and α-SMA+ myofibroblasts was observed.
Single-cell RNA sequencing identified a dominant population of M2 macrophages expressing high TGF-β in children with bronchiolitis obliterans.