老药新用！黄波团队发现碳酸锂可逆转肺纤维化，清除“瘢痕制造者”肌成纤维细胞

Core Viewpoint - The research indicates that lithium carbonate can induce necroptosis in myofibroblasts, significantly reversing established pulmonary fibrosis in mouse models, offering new hope for millions of patients globally [3][4]. Group 1: Research Findings - Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by the destruction of alveolar structures and collagen deposition, leading to irreversible lung function decline and high mortality risk [2]. - Current approved drugs, pirfenidone and nintedanib, can only slow disease progression but cannot reverse fibrosis [2]. - The study utilized a mouse model of irreversible pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin and silica particles, demonstrating that lithium carbonate treatment resulted in significant structural improvements in the lungs [4]. Group 2: Mechanism of Action - Lithium carbonate promotes the release of low levels of TNF-α from alveolar macrophages, which sends potential death signals to myofibroblasts [5]. - Lithium ions inhibit the activation of pro-caspase-8 in myofibroblasts, leading to the activation of the necroptosis pathway and overcoming the anti-apoptotic barrier of these cells [5]. Group 3: Implications for Treatment - The research suggests that while existing drugs merely slow down fibrosis progression, lithium carbonate effectively removes the driving force behind fibrosis by targeting myofibroblasts [7]. - This study not only provides new treatment hope for pulmonary fibrosis patients but also offers theoretical support for interventions in other organ fibrosis diseases, such as liver, kidney, and heart fibrosis [7].