{
  "id": 7329427,
  "title": "AP-1 specifies developmental versus fibrotic extracellular matrix transcriptional programs in the lung",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/ap-1-specifies-developmental-versus-fibrotic-extracellular-matrix",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.10.750752v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The adult lung is unable to restore the elastic architecture that was established during development. Instead, fibrous extracellular matrix (ECM) builds up in many lung diseases. Researchers have now created a comprehensive single-nuclei atlas to study lung fibroblasts at different stages of life. This atlas reveals that the transcription factor AP-1 is crucial in determining whether the ECM becomes fibrotic or maintains an elastogenic, developmental state. AP-1 prefers to bind to TPA-responsive elements (TRE) when fibrosis occurs, while it targets cAMP-responsive elements (CRE) during development. By interfering with AP-1 TRE-signaling in lung fibroblasts, the fibrotic program could be halted and the developmental state reactivated. The same effects were observed when MEK inhibition was used. Pathological fibroblasts found in interstitial lung diseases show increased TRE motif activity, and their expression of fibrosis-related genes is directly linked to disease severity. These findings identify AP-1 as a pivotal signaling hub that governs ECM deposition in lung fibroblasts, ultimately offering potential therapeutic targets to improve lung disease outcomes.",
  "summary": "Lung function requires an elastic extracellular matrix (ECM). However, the adult lung does not regenerate the elastic architecture established during development, and deposition of fibrous ECM characterizes many lung diseases. We generated a multimodal, single-nuclei atlas across development, homeostasis, aging, and fibrosis to identify lung fibroblast populations, transcriptional programs, and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}