Alveoli serve a vital role as the gas exchange units of the lung. Alveolization, the formation and differentiation of these small sac-like structures, is a critical yet poorly understood mechanism in lung development. Our laboratory identified P311 as a gene with a potential role in alveolization, based on its expression pattern and ability to induce mouse embryonic mesenchymal cells to differentiate into myofibroblasts, cells localized between alveoli and postulated to be responsible for their proper development and function. I hypothesize that P311 is intimately involved in the process of alveolization. I will examine, this hypothesis by: 1) determining the distribution and abundance of P311 expression in the mouse embryonic lung at different stages of development, 2) investigating the effect of the conditional functional knockout of P311 on myofibroblasts and lung development, and 3) Exploring potential mechanisms by which P311 promotes myofibroblast differentiation and alveolization.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32HL078162-02
Application #
6929888
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F06 (20))
Program Officer
Colombini-Hatch, Sandra
Project Start
2004-07-01
Project End
2007-06-30
Budget Start
2005-07-01
Budget End
2006-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$49,928
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
094878337
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94143