Lung epithelial cells have emerged as a frequent target of injury, a driver of normal repair,
and a key element in the pathobiology of fibrotic lung diseases. An important aspect of
epithelial cells is their capacity to respond to microenvironmental cues by undergoing
epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is not simply widespread conversion of
epithelial cells to fibroblasts but a graded response whereby epithelial cells reversibly
acquire mesenchymal features and enhanced capacity for mesenchymal cross-talk. Recent …