Abstract: The invention of the present disclosure relates to methods for diagnosing and for treating a progressive lung disease in a subject. In various embodiments, the method for treating a progressive lung disease in a subject includes administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) blocking agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the subject, wherein the method improves clinical outcome compared to an untreated control.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating or preventing progressive pulmonary fibrosis in a subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating or preventing progressive pulmonary fibrosis in a subject.

Abstract: The described invention provides a method of treating a lung injury at risk of progressing to a fibrotic lung disease in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a therapeutic amount of IL-6 polypeptide, hyaluronan (HA), mimetics thereof, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, or combinations thereof, wherein the therapeutic amount is effective to increase renewal of alveolar epithelial cell 2 (AEC2) stem cells, to repair the injury, to reduce lung fibrosis, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The described invention provides a method for reducing progression of lung fibrosis after a lung injury comprising administering a therapeutic amount of a therapeutic agent, wherein the therapeutic amount is effective: (a) to modulate expression of a T-box transcription factor in a population of cells in lung; and (b) to reduce proliferation of the population of cells in lung expressing the T-box transcription factor. According to some embodiments the T-box transcription factor is Tbx4.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating or preventing progressive pulmonary fibrosis in a subject.

Abstract: The described invention provides a method for identifying a therapeutic compound effective to reduce invasiveness of fibroblasts characterized by a highly invasive phenotype obtained from a subject with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Abstract: The described invention provides a method for identifying a therapeutic compound effective to reduce invasiveness of fibroblasts characterized by a highly invasive phenotype obtained from a subject with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Abstract: The described invention provides a method of treating a lung injury at risk of progressing to a fibrotic lung disease in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a therapeutic amount of IL-6 polypeptide, hyaluronan (HA), mimetics thereof, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, or combinations thereof, wherein the therapeutic amount is effective to increase renewal of alveolar epithelial cell 2 (AEC2) stem cells, to repair the injury, to reduce lung fibrosis, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Provided are methods of treating tissue fibrosis comprising administering to a subject in need of treatment an effective amount of an agent that inhibits a hyaluron synthase (HAS) or CD44. Further provided are methods of inhibiting myofibroblast invasion, or of reducing matrix deposition in the lung, the methods comprising administering to a subject in need of treatment an effective amount of an agent that inhibits a HAS or CD44. Further provided are methods of determining the progression of pulmonary fibrosis, the methods comprising determining the level of matrix metalloproteinase expression in a cell, and comparing the level of expression to that of a control cell, wherein an increased level of expression relative to the control cell indicates progression of the disease.

Abstract: The described invention provides a method for reducing progression of lung fibrosis after a lung injury comprising administering a therapeutic amount of a therapeutic agent, wherein the therapeutic amount is effective: (a) to modulate expression of a T-box transcription factor in a population of cells in lung; and (b) to reduce proliferation of the population of cells in lung expressing the T-box transcription factor. According to some embodiments the T-box transcription factor is Tbx4.

Abstract: Provided are methods of treating tissue fibrosis comprising administering to a subject in need of treatment an effective amount of an agent that inhibits a hyaluron synthase (HAS) or CD44. Further provided are methods of inhibiting myofibroblast invasion, or of reducing matrix deposition in the lung, the methods comprising administering to a subject in need of treatment an effective amount of an agent that inhibits a HAS or CD44. Further provided are methods of determining the progression of pulmonary fibrosis, the methods comprising determining the level of matrix metalloproteinase expression in a cell, and comparing the level of expression to that of a control cell, wherein an increased level of expression relative to the control cell indicates progression of the disease.