Targeting Membrane Repair in Deformation-Induced Lung Injury

Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk VA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The central pathophysiology of ventilator-associated lung injury (VALI) is dynamic tearing and repairing of the lung epithelial cells during mechanical ventilation when the lung is inflated beyond its normal tidal volume. We have shown previously that wounding of alveolar cells plays an important role in the development of VALI symptoms. However, the molecular components to repair alveolar cell injury remain completely mysterious. Previous efforts of our research team identified Mitsugumin 53 (MG53) in striated muscle, which senses changes in oxidative status at the membrane disruption site and shuttles pre-assembled membrane-associated vesicles to patch plasma membrane breakage in skeletal muscle cells. Our pilot study has found that MG53 expresses in lung cells and mg53-/- lung is susceptible to VALI. In this study, we aim to identify the molecular component for the repair of alveolar cells and the contribution of MG53 in VALI. The overall goal of this project is to gain a greater understanding for the role of MG53-mediated membrane repair in VALI and to develop a recombinant protein-based therapy for the treatment of VALI. The specific aims of this project are: 1) to establish the role of MG53-mediated membrane repair in protection against membrane injury to lung epithelial cells in culture, 2) to determine the in vivo function of MG53 in the development of VALI, and 3) to explore the potential of using recombinant MG53 protein for the treatment of VALI. These studies represent a direct test to determine if MG53 is a central molecule for repair of deformation-induced injury to lung epithelial cells, and whether modulation of MG53-mediated cell membrane repair represents a potential effective mean for the treatment of VALI. In addition, our results will push the efforts for advancing a safe and potent therapy for VALI that involves in large-scale production of a protein naturally exists in the human body.