Advancing Research in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

Principal Applicant Name: Siyuan Wang

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe lung disease marked by excessive scarring, leading to breathing difficulties and a life expectancy of just 2 to 4 years post-diagnosis. With no current cure, there is an urgent need for new treatments.

Our recent research, funded by the AAIR award, explored the role of a protein called FIH in IPF. We found that FIH acts as a metabolic switch in lung cells, regulating their energy production. When FIH is absent, cells shift to a less active state, which may contribute to lung scarring. Understanding this mechanism is crucial as it opens up new avenues for potential IPF treatments.

The support from AAIR not only advanced scientific knowledge in the field of IPF but also played a vital role in my PhD studies. Part of our findings were presented at the European Respiratory Society meeting in 2023, with AAIR’s support being a key element of this research. These results will be a central part of my doctoral thesis, to be submitted in September 2024.