Bronchoscopic studies of inflammation and vascularity
This project is focusing on drivers of EMT, angiogenesis, inflammation and remodelling in COPD. Which include transforming growth factor--B1 (TGF-B1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Activin A, Smads and TWIST transcription factors and to investigate changes in selected extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as fibronectin, laminin-1/-5, scar collagen 1, decorin and also integrin's which mediate attachment between ECM and relating them to airway stiffness. We are also interested in infection/microbiology as drivers of inflammation/remodelling in COPD airways.