Fig. 8
From: The miR-15b-Smurf2-HSP27 axis promotes pulmonary fibrosis
Schematic illustration of molecular mechanism of PF via the miRNA-15b/Smurf2/HSP27 axis. The miR-15b transcriptionally inhibited Smurf2 expression. Decreased expression of Smurf2 by miR-15b is involved in the increased protein stability of HSP27, especially that of pHSP27. Accumulation of pHSP27 exacerbated PF through NFkB-mediated EMT progression. Inhibition of EMT by HSP27 inhibitors at the EMT stage has potential for clinical application for overcoming PF