Cytokines and growth factors play an integral role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis, the generation of protective immunity, and lung reparative processes. However, the dysregulated expression of cytokines and growth factors in response to infectious or noxious insults can initiate and perpetuate deleterious lung inflammation and fibroproliferation. In this article, we will comprehensively review the contribution of individual cytokines and growth factors and cytokine networks to key pathophysiological events in human and experimental acute lung injury (ALI), including inflammatory cell recruitment and activation, alveolar epithelial injury and repair, angiogenesis, and matrix deposition and remodeling. The application of cytokines/growth factors as prognostic indicators and therapeutic targets in human ALI is explored.
© 2011 American Physiological Society.