| 摘要 |
A novel strategy of treating fibrosis in a mammal is disclosed. Fibrosis, occurring primary to an autoimmune disease process such as Type I diabetes, or secondary to the implantation of a foreign body, such as a graft containing encapsulated islet cells, is herein treated by administration of TNF- alpha , a TNF- alpha inducing substance, or a compound which acts on the TNF- alpha signaling pathway. The halting, slowing, and/or prevention of fibrosis can be assessed by any of several methods including visualization of fibrosis in tissue samples stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and/or measuring serum levels of PIP. The invention is particularly novel in that it teaches treatment of fibrosis which runs contrary to current modes of treatment which involve the inhibition of the TNF- alpha signaling pathway. |
