Time-series transcriptomic analysis of lung fibroblasts in bleomycin- and silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is an intractable disorder with a poor prognosis. Although lung fibroblasts play central roles in PF, their key regulatory molecules remain unclear. To identify PF pathology-associated gene modules and their hub TFs in activated lung fibroblasts, we performed time-course transcriptome analysis of the fibroblasts purified from the lungs of bleomycin- and silica-treated Col1a2-GFP reporter mice. To clarify transcriptomic landscape of lung fibroblasts throughout PF initiation, progression, and resolution, we induced reversible or progressive PF in Col1a2-GFP transgenic mice by bleomycin or silica aspiration, respectively. We purified lineage (CD45, CD31, EpCAM, CD146, and Ter119)– Col-GFP+ lung fibroblasts by flow-cytometry at 0, 7, 14, and 63 days post-induction in both models and performed transcriptome analysis by 3′SAGE-seq using Ion Proton sequencer.