Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a disorder characterized by abnormally elevated pulmonary artery (PA) pressures. PH associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects a significant number of patients and is associated with worsened lung function decline, increased frequency of exacerbations, and increased mortality. There are currently no therapies available for treatment of COPD-associated PH and thus new pathways and therapeutic targets are needed to address this critical need. Recent work in our laboratory has identified acetyl-proline-glycine-proline (AcPGP), the end result of cigarette- smoke induced collagen destruction, as a key marker for COPD pathogenesis. PGP acts on inflammatory cells through CXC receptors (CXCR1/2). Signaling through this CXCR2 receptor has been implicated in the development of PH. As an extension, the hypothesis that AcPGP mediates pulmonary vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and serves as a risk factor for the development of PH in COPD will be tested through the following independent but inter-related aims: 1. Study the phenotype and mechanism of COPD-associated PH in murine models of exogenous AcPGP administration 2. Determine the role of the neutrophil and CXCR1/2 in AcPGP mediated pulmonary vascular remodeling 3. Investigate the predictive value of AcPGP levels in the development of pulmonary vascular disease detected by CT in a cohort of COPD patients This project explores new concepts in the pathobiology of COPD-associated PH through PA endothelial cells, a novel animal model of disease, and translates these findings into human disease. This career development plan and the research aims as outlined above are of equal importance. Combined with a strong mentoring committee, additional training in immunology, metabolism, cardiopulmonary physiology, study design, methodology, and statistical analysis will meet Dr. Wells'specific educational needs as a budding academician. The opportunities created by this career development award will result in the creation of a physician-scientist with the skills necessary to accurately and ethically answer important scientific questions related to COPD-associated PH, successfully obtain future independent funding, and make important differences in the lives of patients affected with these devastating illnesses.

Public Health Relevance

Pulmonary hypertension occurs in many patients affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These two illnesses coexist through complex interactions between many different pathologic processes and there are no therapies that alter the natural history of these combined diseases. Exploring new pathways involved in the remodeling process may lead to novel therapies for COPD-associated pulmonary hypertension.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
1K08HL123940-01
Application #
8754016
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHL1)
Program Officer
Colombini-Hatch, Sandra
Project Start
2014-09-01
Project End
2019-05-31
Budget Start
2014-09-01
Budget End
2015-05-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Alabama Birmingham
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Birmingham
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
35294
Gulati, Swati; Zouk, Aline N; Kalehoff, Jonathan P et al. (2018) The use of a standardized order set reduces systemic corticosteroid dose and length of stay for individuals hospitalized with acute exacerbations of COPD: a cohort study. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 13:2271-2278
Aggarwal, Saurabh; Ahmad, Israr; Lam, Adam et al. (2018) Heme scavenging reduces pulmonary endoplasmic reticulum stress, fibrosis, and emphysema. JCI Insight 3:
Labaki, Wassim W; Xia, Meng; Murray, Susan et al. (2018) NT-proBNP in stable COPD and future exacerbation risk: Analysis of the SPIROMICS cohort. Respir Med 140:87-93
Payne, Gregory A; Wells, J Michael (2018) Deciphering COPD and associated cardiovascular impairment. Lancet Respir Med 6:320-322
Rho, Ji Young; Lynch, David A; Suh, Young Ju et al. (2018) CT measurements of central pulmonary vasculature as predictors of severe exacerbation in COPD. Medicine (Baltimore) 97:e9542
Zouk, Aline N; Wells, J Michael (2017) In Rotterdam, size really does matter: implications of pulmonary artery enlargement on mortality. Eur Respir J 49:
Payne, Gregory A; Li, Jindong; Xu, Xin et al. (2017) The Matrikine Acetylated Proline-Glycine-Proline Couples Vascular Inflammation and Acute Cardiac Rejection. Sci Rep 7:7563
Gulati, Swati; Wells, J Michael (2017) Bringing Stability to the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patient: Clinical and Pharmacological Considerations for Frequent Exacerbators. Drugs 77:651-670
Parekh, Trisha M; Bhatt, Surya P; Westfall, Andrew O et al. (2017) Implications of DRG Classification in a Bundled Payment Initiative for COPD. Am J Accountable Care 5:12-18
Dransfield, Mark T; Kunisaki, Ken M; Strand, Matthew J et al. (2017) Acute Exacerbations and Lung Function Loss in Smokers with and without Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 195:324-330

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