Research just published in the prestigious American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine offers hope to sufferers of a common and debilitating respiratory disease.
Professor Phil Hansbro with senior research fellow and lab manager Dr Nicole Hansbro. Photo by Toby Burrows
A form of cell death known as necroptosis could yield a new treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The inflammatory lung condition, also known as emphysema, makes breathing difficult and is a leading cause of death worldwide.
A study by a team of Australian and Belgian researchers has revealed elevated levels of necroptosis in patients with COPD.
By inhibiting necroptosis activity, both in the lung tissue of COPD patients as well as in specialised COPD mouse models, the researchers have found a significant reduction in chronic airway inflammation as well as damage to the lung.
Continue reading on UTS Newsroom: Cell death discovery could lead to new treatment for COPD