Time-dependent and somatically acquired mitochondrial DNA mutagenesis and respiratory chain dysfunction in a scleroderma model of lung fibrosis.

The article focuses on the implementation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the etiology of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in systemic sclerosis using a scleroderma model. The authors evaluated the role of acquired mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and respiratory chain defects which act as a trigger of ROS formation and fibrogenesis. The study used adult male Wistar rats which received a single intratracheal instillation of bleomycin.