MIF-Based Therapies in Cigarette Smoke-Related COPD and Pneumonia
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the 3rd leading cause of death worldwide and is especially common in military members and Veterans. A major cause of mortality in people with COPD is bacterial pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae). We identified an innate immune protein, Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and it receptor, CD74, as endogenous, protective molecules that determine susceptibility to COPD and immunity against S. pneumoniae. Augmenting MIF levels in susceptible individuals may be effective therapy against COPD as well as S. pneumoniae infection. We have already developed orally active MIF agonists (MIF20) with excellent safety and efficacy profiles that are ready to be tested in COPD and bacterial pneumonia models. Our overall objective of this proposal is test MIF augmentation against CSE-related COPD and its subsequent complication, S. pneumoniae. We propose to complete the following two Aims: 1) Test the therapeutic efficacy of MIF augmentation in CSE-related COPD; 2) Test the therapeutic efficacy of MIF augmentation in CSE-related S. pneumoniae infection. These studies will provide pre-clinical testing of MIF agonist-based therapy in COPD and bacterial pneumonia.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1052136
Entities
People
- Patty J Lee
Organizations
- Yale University