Rho/ROCK：key Mediator of Pulmonary Fibrosis and New Target of TCM for IPF Prevention and Treatment
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20242295
- VernacularTitle:Rho/ROCK： 肺纤维化过程的关键介质及中医药防治IPF的新靶点
- Author:
Yuanyuan WU
1
;
Kangchen LI
1
;
Mingyan LI
1
;
Xiling PENG
1
;
Feifan ZHANG
1
;
Han LIU
1
Author Information
1. Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases Co-Constructed by Henan & Ministry of Education of PR China，Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease， Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences，Henan University of Chinese Medicine， Zhengzhou 450016，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Rho/Rho-associated coiled-coil protein kinase（ROCK）;
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis;
traditional Chinese medicine;
biomechanical microenvironment
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2025;31(4):256-265
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF） is a chronic interstitial lung disease characterized by dyspnea and progressive deterioration of lung function， which significantly impacts patients' quality of life and imposes a major burden on society. Although modern medicine has increasingly enriched the treatment options for pulmonary fibrosis， unfavorable factors such as high costs and significant side effects contribute to the persistently low survival rate of patients. Studies have shown that the occurrence and development of pulmonary fibrosis are closely related to abnormalities in multiple pathways. Among these， Rho/Rho-associated coiled-coil protein kinase （ROCK） plays a key role in the disease progression of IPF by regulating the cytoskeleton. This pathway not only transmits biochemical molecular signals that promote the progress of fibrosis but also responds to the biomechanical environment， such as the increased lung tissue stiffness caused by the deposition of extracellular matrix （ECM） during the process of pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore， research on this pathway is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of IPF. In recent years， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has shown remarkable effects in preventing and treating IPF. Many TCM compounds and active components can reduce the production of α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， CollagenⅠ （ColⅠ）， ColⅢ， and inflammatory factors in lung tissue by regulating the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway. These compounds inhibit the transformation of fibroblasts （FBs） into myofibroblasts （MyoFBs）， intervening in the process of pulmonary fibrosis. Based on this， the article briefly reviews relevant research from recent years， discusses the key role of the Rho/ROCK pathway in pulmonary fibrosis from an interdisciplinary perspective， and summarizes the mechanisms through which TCM regulates Rho/ROCK to prevent and treat IPF， based on resources from PubMed， CNKI， and other databases， in order to provide important references for the broader clinical application of TCM in the prevention and treatment of IPF.
