Figure 3
From: Growth factors in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: relative roles
Potential growth factor-mediated antifibrotic strategies. A universal cell (fibroblast, epithelial cell or inflammatory cell) is depicted with growth factor-processing pathways highlighted (solid arrows). Growth factors may exert autocrine and/or paracrine effects. In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, growth factor functions may be diminished or enhanced and reversing these effects could offer potential therapeutic benefits. Various growth factor-specific strategies are depicted (broken arrows) that could be selected to either enhance (+) or inhibit (-) the chosen growth factor function. ECM, extracellular matrix.