Grant: Project Grant

Lung fibrosis affects approximately 25,000 Canadians, about half of them dying within 4-5 years. The disease origin is often unknown. It is characterized by relentless scarring, causing stiffening of the lungs and progressive shortness of breath until death. Limited treatment options are available, and the two drugs that are approved to treat it are only able to slow disease progression, but not stop or even improve it. Using aged mouse and rat models as well as human tissue samples, we will explore how abnormal blood vessels in the fibrotic lungs affect progression of scar formation. Key mechanisms with a focus on aging cells in the blood vessels of the lungs will be identified and targeted with interventions in order to stop the vicious cycle of fibrosis.