Abstract
Lung transplantation is the ultimate option for selected patients with an end-stage pulmonary disease. However, there are many complications that limit the success of lung transplantation. Many pathophysiological mechanisms remain unknown. Within this project, the role of the vasculature will be further unraveled in the different important post-transplant complications (i.e. ischemia reperfusion injury, acute rejection and chronic lung allograft dysfunction). By leveraging an innovative murine model of lung transplantation and state-of-the-art techniques such as bulk transcriptome, microCT and immunostainings, we want to investigate the role of the vasculature in the pathophysiologic mechanism of these complications. These findings will be further validated in a human setting as well, by utilizing well-characterized human samples. The last aim of this project is also to find a way to influence the vascular changes by using a therapeutic intervention in the murine model pre- and post lung transplant.
These findings will be crucial to better understand the importance of vascular changes in post-transplant complications and finally also to better treat or prevent these. This will lead to a better survival of this group of very vulnerable patients.
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