Modulation of human alveolar stem cells to promote lung regeneration and avoid pulmonary fibrosis
Grant Award Details
Grant Type:
Grant Number:
DISC0-13788
Investigator(s):
Disease Focus:
Human Stem Cell Use:
Award Value:
$1,626,001
Status:
Active
Grant Application Details
Application Title:
Modulation of human alveolar stem cells to promote lung regeneration and avoid pulmonary fibrosis
Public Abstract:
Research Objective
Understanding regulators of human alveolar lung stem cell function will promote more normal lung regeneration after injury and avoid the nearly untreatable problem of advanced pulmonary fibrosis.
Impact
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and other chronic fibrotic lung disorders.
Major Proposed Activities
Understanding regulators of human alveolar lung stem cell function will promote more normal lung regeneration after injury and avoid the nearly untreatable problem of advanced pulmonary fibrosis.
Impact
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and other chronic fibrotic lung disorders.
Major Proposed Activities
- Modify human fibroblasts to create a supporting niche promoting normal alveolar stem cell differentiation in ex vivo organoids, a model of stem cell/fibroblast crosstalk prominent in injured lungs.
- Develop an in vivo co-transplantation model of human lung stem cells plus stem cell promoting fibroblasts for better engraftments and expansion in injured lungs of immunocompromised mice.
- Elucidate signaling pathways necessary to reverse or prevent the pro-fibrotic effects of abnormal human lung stem cell function prominent in the pathobiology of fibrotic lung diseases.
Statement of Benefit to California:
This application is focused on a set of lung diseases that are difficult to treat and associated with significant morbidity and mortality for citizens of California. The risk factors include advancing age, smoking, and exposure to inhalants that damage the lung. They all ultimately produce chronic scarring that impairs lung function. The goal of this research is to improve lung stem function which we believe will promote better lung regeneration after injury and attenuate scarring.