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A new treatment concept for lung injury
| Project type: | Research Project |
| Programme: | Life Sciences |
| Call: | Life Sciences Call 2011 |
| Start: | 01.08.2011 |
| Duration: | 3,00 years |
| Grant awarded: | 492.800 € |
| Keywords: | lung injury, RhoA, GEF, capillary-alveolar edema, barrier dysfunction |
Peter Petzelbauer
Medical University of Vienna
| Project partners: | Sylvia Knapp, Medical University of Vienna Marcus Schultz, University of Amsterdam |
Acute lung injury (ALI/ARDS) is a major problem at intense care units with mortality rates in the range of 40%. The main functional impediment in this disease resides at the alveolar-capillary barrier, which normally restricts fluid accumulation within the alveolar space thereby facilitating efficient gas exchange. This barrier is dysfunctional in ALI/ARDS, mainly through pathologic activation of RhoGTPases. Current therapies are only symptomatic, targeted therapies are missing. This project aims to develop new tools to improve alveolar-capillary barrier function through targeted interception of pathologic activation of RhoGTPases. Our unique position consists of the experienced team, access to a new and targeted inhibitor of RhoGTPases, and an unmet medical need with no approved drug on the market. Results of this work will serve as a starting point for a pharma-partner to initiate cost-intensive regulatory preclinical drug development.
