From research conducted at the Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health

Self-reparing lung tissue

Chronic lung disease is often accompanied by the loss of lung tissue, which leaves patients with a diminished surface for gas exchange between the lungs and the environment.

Photo mouse lung — Cross-section of a mouse lung before (left) and after (right) activation of the WNT signalling pathway. Activation resulted in improved lung structure (right). Photo/Graphic: HMGU/M. Königshoff.

Scientists at the Helmholtz Zentrum München have now discovered how to induce the repair of destroyed lung tissue in mice. “This mechanism could enable researchers to develop a therapeutic approach to the previously incurable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” says Dr. Melanie Königshoff. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth most frequent cause of death worldwide. It makes lungs lose their elasticity and prevents inhaled air from being completely exhaled. The team discovered that a specific signalling pathway is inhibited in COPD patients. In the disease model, the researchers succeeded in reactivating the WNT pathway and thus improving lung function.

Andreas Fischer

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