Mechanisms underlying idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are not well understood. This paper
presents data supporting the hypothesis that microvascular endothelial cell injury and
antiendothelial cell antibodies play roles in human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Serologic
and pathologic features of 40 patients diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were
evaluated. All patients had open lung biopsies indicating either usual or nonspecific
interstitial pneumonitis. All biopsies had morphologic evidence of microvascular injury to the …