Actin Fence Therapy for Acute Lung Injury

This project aims to determine fundamental F-actin mechanisms regulating proinflammatory receptor expression in alveolar epithelium. Specifically, the proposal aims to determine that alveolar F-actin fence negatively regulates plasma membrane trafficking of proinflammatory receptors. Thus, strengthening of the actin fence leads to a depletion of receptor expression on the alveolar epithelium resulting in a dampening of receptor-mediated signaling and spread of inflammatory signal. Hence, biologics that enhance the F-actin fence could be protective in acute lung injury. The findings of this research are likely to impact understanding of new mechanisms of acute lung injury and lead to the development of new therapy.