Researchers at the Chinese Nanjing University School of Medicine in China discovered yet another microRNA that contributes to the development of lung fibrosis. MicroRNA are small molecules known to control gene activity. The study, “MiR-338* suppresses fibrotic pathogenesis in pulmonary fibrosis through targeting LPA1,” published in the…
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Childhood cancer survivors are at an increased risk of developing lung fibrosis for up to 25 years after their initial cancer diagnosis, analyses of data from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study show. The report, “Risk and impact of pulmonary complications in survivors of childhood cancer: A report from the Childhood…
Certain distinctive genetic differences or variations, including in genes involved in mucus production, were found to be significantly predominant in European populations of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to the study, “Association Study for 26 Candidate Loci in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients from Four European Populations” published in…
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have identified a new gene that, when mutated, increases the risk for pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema by reducing the activity of telomerase, the enzyme that maintains the protective caps, or telomeres, on chromosomes. The study, “Loss-of-function mutations in the RNA biogenesis factor…
Humanetics of Minneapolis was awarded a federal grant to continue developing its proprietary BIO 300 radiation modulator to treat delayed effects of acute radiation exposure in the lungs. The $597,000 grant from the the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) will cover two years of research in a collaborative effort…
A collaborative research effort identified new pathways involved in fibrosis using a software tool known as “Regeneration Intelligence,” which evaluated perturbations in several signaling pathways in lung and liver fibrosis, and in glaucoma. The research, leading to two studies, was conducted by Insilico Medicine working with scientists at Atlas Regeneration, Vision Genomics, and Howard University. The…
FibroStatin recently announced the development of a therapeutic agent against lung fibrosis called T12, building on the entirely new concept of blocking the transition of blood vessel endothelial cells to the more aggressive mesenchymal cells that contribute to fibrosis. This so-called endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial during processes such as wound…
Adding Recomodulin (thrombomodulin) to the standard treatment given for an acute exacerbation of lung fibrosis more than doubled patients’ chances to survive, according to new research from Chiba University in Japan. The study, “Efficacy of Recomodulin for acute exacerbation of IPF and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia: a nonrandomized prospective…
A new study from researchers in London, looking at a specific enzyme called TPL-2, could aid in the understanding of how lung fibrosis develops. The research report, “TPL-2 Regulates Macrophage Lipid Metabolism and M2 Differentiation to Control TH2-Mediated Immunopathology,” appeared in the journal PLoS. Lung scarring is the key…
Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) may benefit from Esbriet (pirfenidone) treatment regardless of their disease stage and baseline lung function, according to a study by researchers at the University of Turin, in Italy, and colleagues. The study, “Efficacy of pirfenidone in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with…
