Increased Levels of ER Stress and Apoptosis in a Sheep Model for Pulmonary Fibrosis Are Alleviated by in Vivo Blockade of the KCa3.1 Ion Channel

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal interstitial lung disease, characterized by progressive damage to the lung tissues. Apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) in type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) and lung macrophages have been linked with the development of IPF. Therefore, apoptosis- and ER stress-targeted therapies have drawn attention as potential avenues for treatment of IPF. The calcium-activated potassium ion channel KCa3.1 has been proposed as a potential therapeutic target for fibrotic diseases including IPF. While KCa3.1 is expressed in AECs and macrophages, its influence on ER stress and apoptosis during the disease process is unclear. We utilized a..