Research advances of EMT progression of pulmonary fibrosis mediated by non-coding RNAs and natural medicines interventions

Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reprogramming process of epithelial to mesenchymal transition, in which epithelial cells lose polarity and intercellular adhesion and acquire stronger migration and invasion ability similar to mesenchymal cells. EMT is a critical step during the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Lung epithelial cells can differentiate into myofibroblasts through EMT, which accelerates the fibrosis process. In recent years, a large number of studies have shown that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are involved in the EMT process of lung epithelial cells, at the same time, some natural medicines were found to prevent and treat pulmonary fibrosis by intervening in ncRNAs related to pulmonary fibrosis. In this review, we summarize the expression change and biological function of vital ncRNAs in EMT progression during pulmonary fibrosis, as well as the research progress of EMT related ncRNA mediated by natural medicines on pulmonary fibrosis, aiming to provide new insights into the research of ncRNAs and the exploration of new pharmacological targets of natural medicine.