EMT, OB and lung transplantation

Although lung transplantation is a valuable therapeutic option for some patients with end stage lung disease, its success is limited by development of obliterative bronchiolitis (OB). In this month’s Thorax, Borthwick and colleagues report evidence that cells can undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and this may underlie the pathological processes that lead to the development of OB. EMT refers to a process where epithelial cells undergo transformation to become fibroblasts and/or myofibroblasts. In the accompanying editorial, Willis and Borok discuss the application of these results and suggest that given the lack of progress with therapy for OB, results from this study will make us review …