ABSTRACT
In the adult, lungs move and change volume continuously in order to provide adequate respiratory exchange. Since lung tissue is exposed to repeated environmental insults owing to its constant intake of air, vigilant repair of damaged alveoli and tight regulation of response to injury processes must occur. Chronic inflammation that accompanies diseases such as asthma, fibrosis, and emphysema impair the ability of the lung to perform this function, and this is caused, at least in part, by remodeling of the extracellular matrix.
