Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cell Barrier Function
Among the most difficult clinical issues to manage is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Mortality rates are high as well as considerable morbidity. For reasons that remain incompletely understood, children with ARDS are more likely to survive than adults with similar severity of illness. Our laboratory has been interested in the reasons that underlie the seemingly more well-preserved barrier function in children compared to adults. Using cell lines and a murine model of lung injury, we have identified that the expression of focal adhesion kinase, a molecule responsible for maintaining barrier function increases in expression increases more rapidly in response to either an inflammatory stimulus or hypoxia.
Projects
Barrier Function Study Summary
Researchers: Lihua Ying, David N. Cornfield
Developmental differences in focal adhesion kinase expression modulate pulmonary endothelial barrier function in response to inflammation.
Compromised pulmonary endothelial cell (PEC) barrier function is a hallmark of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a condition associated significant morbidity and mortality. Notably, children exhibit greater survival from ARDS compared to adults. However, it remains unclear whether intrinsic developmental differences in PEC barrier function contribute to this survival advantage. Our study supports the hypothesis that neonatal lungs preserve barrier function more effectively than adult lungs in response to inflammation. Specifically, we observed developmental variation in FAK (Focal Adhesion Kinase) expression during inflammatory injury, indicating a mechanism that helps maintain neonatal pulmonary endothelial barrier function compared that of adults. These intrinsic differences in the immature versus mature pulmonary endothelium may play a role the improved outcomes of children with ARDS.
New Research Coming Soon!
Researchers: Members of The Cornfield Lab
Research in the area of Pulmonary Artery Endothial Cell Barrier Function remains on-going. New research will be presented here shortly.
People
Lihua Ying, Ph.D.
