Endothelial senescence in chronic lung disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Studying endothelial senescence and dysfunction in chronic lung disease
IRAS ID
284894
Contact name
Koralia Paschalaki
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common chronic lung disease, mainly caused by cigarette-smoking. COPD patients and patients with other lung disorders, often suffer from cardiovascular (heart) disease. Indeed, cardiovascular disease appears to be the main cause of death in COPD patients, but the link between the diseases is not fully understood. The cells that line the blood vessels, known as endothelial cells, have a critical role in maintaining a healthy heart and blood vessels. Ageing of these cells leads to failure of their function and to cardiovascular disease. We have been able to isolate cells from blood that turn into endothelial cells and repair damaged vessels. We found that unlike healthy cells, those from smokers and COPD patients are dysfunctional, prematurely aged, and cannot repair blood vessel damage. We aim to understand the mechanisms causing premature ageing of vessels and heart disease in COPD patients and other chronic lung disorders, which is also relevant to other patients with cardiovascular disease. We aim to discover new treatments that prevent premature ageing of blood vessels and reduce heart disease.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
20/SS/0085
Date of REC Opinion
9 Sep 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion