Lung Injury and Lung Fibrosis after Radiation Therapy
The use of radiation therapy is associated with clinically significant pulmonary toxicity. As more patients are diagnosed with cancer and as these patients live longer, primary care physicians will increasingly care for those who have received radiation therapy.
By combining genetic and molecular approaches in animal models of radiation therapy, we study the cell specific role of Fox transcription factors, Foxm1 and Foxf1, in lung injury and lung fibrosis after radiation, providing a foundation for development of new treatments based on the inhibition of Foxm1.
This project will:
- Increase our understanding of the cell autonomous role of Foxm1 and Foxf1 in the development of lung injury and lung fibrosis after radiation.
- Provide information about molecular mechanisms whereby these transcription factors control epithelial, endothelial and macrophage functions during lung injury.
- Determine whether the cell specific inhibition of these proteins will offer novel targets for prevention of pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonitis, and restrictive or obstructive lung disease after radiation treatment.
