HEP4_Therapeutic Target in Pulmonary Fibrosis

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Human Epididymis Protein 4: a Therapeutic Target in Pulmonary Fibrosis

  • IRAS ID

    353543

  • Contact name

    Paul Minnis

  • Contact email

    paul.minnis@northerntrust.hscni.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    Northern Health and Social Care Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    3 years, 0 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) such as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and Systemic-Sclerosis-associated-Interstitial-Lung-Disease (SSc-ILD) are life-limiting lung diseases. There are limited therapies available and new treatments are urgently needed.
    Studying PF is significantly hindered by reduced accessibility to lung fibroblasts. We have established a novel pre-clinical model of blood-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). Using our patient-relevant disease model, we aim to characterize the fibrogenic and inflammatory effect of hypoxia-induced HE4 and identify the anti-fibrogenic and immunomodulatory effects of a repurposed diabetic drug Dapagliflozin.

  • REC name

    London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    25/PR/0102

  • Date of REC Opinion

    28 Feb 2025

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion