GRA Eminent Scholars collaborate to treat deadly pulmonary disease

GRA Eminent Scholars Jian-Dong Li and Binghe Wang at Georgia State University were leaders of an international team of researchers who have found a key component in the pathological process of pulmonary fibrosis, a fatal disease for which there is no cure.  American Lung Association data show that 140,000 Americans have been diagnosed with the disease, in which a patient’s ability to breath lessens over time.  Many patients live only 3-5 years after diagnosis.

The scientists identified a key gene, CLYD, that serves a vital role in halting disease progression.  According to Li, “In some patients, CLYD does not function as it should or its protein level is lower than in normal individuals.  If this does happen, the human tissue repairing response can go out of control, leading to the development of fibrosis.”

Li directs the GSU Center for Inflammation, Immunity and Infection; Wang heads the GSU Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics.  GRA Distinguished Investigator Jae Hyang Lim at GSU also participated in the study along with researchers from universities in New York, Illinois, Texas, Japan, China and South Korea.  Read more here>