ABSTRACT
To physicians and basic biomedical scientists, the term ‘‘injury’’ implies
more than simply cuts, abrasions, fractures, or other readily apparent forms
of trauma. Rather, injury is used in a broader context to denote damage to
organs, cells, and tissues at the molecular, biochemical, or physiological
level. One of the most widely studied areas in pulmonary biology over the
past several decades involves lung injury and the fundamental mechanisms that contribute to it. The structural and functional integrity of the pulmon-
ary vasculature, alveoli, airways, and interstitium are essential for life. This
book addresses the mechanistic pathophysiology of acute and chronic lung
injury, including both basic concepts and current research perspectives.
Also emphasized is the translation of emerging basic science understanding
to improve the range and effectiveness of clinical therapies for injury-related
pulmonary diseases in infants, children, and adults.
