Alveolar injury by oxygen metabolites alters the composition of extracellular matrix

Recently, evidence has accumulated to suggest that oxygen radicals are important mediators of lung injury. In one model alveolar damage induced by the enzymatic release of oxygen metabolites results in pulmonary fibrosis. We used this model to investigate the changes in alveolar connective tissue that occur as lung injury proceeds to fibrosis. Our immunohistologic studies of injured tissue reveal sequential alterations in matrix during injury and repair, and the accumulation of interstitial collagens in alveolar connective tissue.