Fibrogenesis in granulomas and lung interstitium in tuberculous inflammation in mice.

The study in mouse model of BCG-induced granulomatous inflammation showed that early pulmonary fibrosis (day 3-30 postinfection) in tuberculous inflammation was primarily determined by increased number of fibroblasts in the lung interstitium and granulomas and enhanced fibroplastic activity. Fibroplastic processes are initiated via an increase in secretory activity of activated granuloma macrophages caused by the persistence of the pathogen in the cells of the mononuclear phagocytic system. The dynamics of hydroxyproline concentration under these conditions is determined by changes in the number and differentiation degree of fibroblasts in granulomas and lung interstitium at various stages of tuberculous inflammation.