BackgroundNintedanib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is specific for platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFR), fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR), has recently been approved for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Fibrocytes are bone marrow-derived progenitor cells that produce growth factors and contribute to fibrogenesis in the lungs. However, the effects of nintedanib on the functions of fibrocytes remain unclear.MethodsHuman monocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy volunteers. The expression of growth factors and their receptors in fibrocytes was analyzed using ELISA and Western blotting. The effects of nintedanib on the ability of fibrocytes to stimulate lung fibroblasts were examined in terms of their proliferation. The direct effects of nintedanib on the differentiation and migration of fibrocytes were also assessed. We investigated whether nintedanib affected the accumulation of fibrocytes in mouse lungs treated with bleomycin.ResultsHuman fibrocytes produced PDGF, FGF2, and VEGF-A. Nintedanib and specific inhibitors for each growth factor receptor significantly inhibited the proliferation of lung fibroblasts stimulated by the supernatant of fibrocytes. Nintedanib inhibited the migration and differentiation of fibrocytes induced by growth factors in vitro. The number of fibrocytes in the bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model was reduced by the administration of nintedanib, and this was associated with anti-fibrotic effects.ConclusionsThese results support the role of fibrocytes as producers of and responders to growth factors, and suggest that the anti-fibrotic effects of nintedanib are at least partly mediated by suppression of fibrocyte function.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12931-017-0654-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Tower-structured facilities, like electric wave towers, take intensive impact toward the adjacent landscape with their large scale, height and industrial appearance, especially when they are constructed within or close to downtown. There are cases of the assimilation into their surroundings with the installation of public access, and also of taking on quite identical existence to be a prominent symbol of the district, with the emphasis of its optical appearance.Taking the Tokyo-Tower as a case study, this study aims to manifest the transition of image toward tower-structured facilities by text analysis with articles of newspaper, magazine, and content of description in popular songs. The transition of image is obtained as follows;(1) Right after the construction in 1958: Symbol of economic growth, breakthrough toward the developed countries, height and modernism (2) Until the light-up project in 1989: Decadence of relative height (caused by the construction of skyscrapers around) and Slight perception of its existence (3) After the light-up project: Revitalization of existence from novel viewpoint (e.g. waterfront) along with waterfront development in 1980's This conclusion can suggest design value of tower-structured facilities in future, i.e.(1) Assimilation and (2) Emphasis of its Existence.