Influence of alpha-1 antitrypsin on changes in the microvascular endothelium on manifestation of chronic inflammatory pulmonary diseases

 

With increasing age and in diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, structural and functional alteration processes can occur in the vascular and endothelial cells, accompanied by deteriorated perfusion and, in advanced stages, can lead to hypoxia, accumulation of toxic substances in the tissue and insufficient supply of nutrients.

This project is based on the hypothesis that vascular changes can lead to chronic inflammatory reactions. The main aim is therefore to clarify the mechanisms and signal transduction pathways of the inflammation. In addition, it will be examined how endothelial senescence and dysfunction are linked with chronic inflammatory diseases like COPD or pulmonary emphysema.

The results obtained in this project will help to better understand the functional and structural changes in the microvascular endothelium that occur during the normal aging process and under pathological conditions, and the role of AAT in this process.

This project takes place in the framework of the German-French Lung School.

Scientific Head:

Prof. Dr. Sabina Janciauskiene

Cooperating Partner, PI France: Gabriel Thabut, Service de Pneumologie B et Transplantation Pulmonaire, Hôpital Bichat, 46 rue Henri Huchard, 75018 Paris, France