Effect of corticosteroids on lung organoid formation, development and fibrosis (DSB.AD006.351)

Thematic area

Biomedical sciences

Project area

Structure responsible for the research project

Institute of genetics and biophysics "Adriano Buzzati Traverso" (IGB)

Project manager

CRISTINA DANIELLO
Phone number: +390816132432
Email: cristina.daniello@igb.cnr.it

Abstract

Lung fibrosis (LF) occurs in a heterogeneous group of lung disorders, including Idiopathic
pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and is characterized by a
high degree of heterogeneity and cellular plasticity. These pathological conditions are
characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration, fibroblast proliferation and extracellular
matrix (ECM) accumulation (e.g., collagen deposition). The mechanism underlying the
pathogenesis of the fibrotic process in the lung is complex and remains poorly understood.
The partial/reversible mesenchymal transitions (MT) are considered as major contributors of
ECM accumulation and fibrosis. However, the lack of valid and reproducible in vitro models,
which recapitulate the diseases, is a critical aspect for their study and the development of
novel therapeutic approaches. We thus propose to develop novel cellular models to study lung
development and fibrosis. The principal goal is to generate 3D lung organoids starting from
human pluripotent stem cells. By combining the generation of the 3D structures resembling
the lung and different insults (e.g., hyperoxia), we will be able to induce the acquisition of the
fibrotic [...]

Start date of activity

16/02/2022

Keywords

Lung organoids, Human pluripotent stem cells, Corticosteroids

Last update: 04/10/2024