Research

Role of HH-10n in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Role of HH-10n in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is an incurable disease characterized by progressive parenchymal fibrosis resulting in chronic repiratory failure and premature death. While the etiology of IPF is unknown, pathology of this disease shows characteristic fibroblastic foci that develop to a more invasive subtype known as myofibroblasts. These myofibroblasts display greater collagen deposition and muscularity that disrupt lung architecture and decrease respiratory capacity of the lungs as this the disease progresses. In our lab, we look to Interleukin 10 (IL-10) as a potential therapeutic agent to reduce fibrotic burden. IL-10 has previously been shown to reduce fibrosis in various models of tissue injury and scar formation, but its translation into an antifibrotic therapy has been limited by its short half-life. We have developed a novel IL-10 formulation using high molecular weight hyaluronan, a glycosaminoglycan often found in mesenchymal cells. We have previously found that high molecular weight hyaluronan allows a steady release of IL-10 over a period of 14 days. We hypothesize that IL-10 administration via HH-10 can prevent and reverse lung fibrosis in an in vivo bleomycin model of lung injury.