The Good, the Bad, and the RNA: Hunting for Molecular Similarities in Interstitial Lung Diseases

Explore how RNA is helping us to understand the underlying molecular pathophysiology of lung disease and discover the insights gained from using laser capture microdissection combined with mRNA and protein expression analysis of fibroblastic foci.

In this webinar, you will learn:

• Applications of advanced instruments for laser microdissection and micromanipulation;
• The role of fibroblastic foci in fibrotic pulmonary diseases;
• New insights gained from laser capture microdissection, and mRNA and protein expression analysis.

How can RNA help us to understand the underlying molecular pathophysiology of lung disease?

Our mission is to investigate interstitial lung diseases and enhance our understanding of molecular pathology to improve diagnosis. 

Our vision is to comprehend the fundamental mechanisms of interstitial lung diseases, create novel diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, and finally implement these discoveries in daily clinical practice. 

Fibroblastic foci (FF) are characteristic features of usual interstitial pneumonia and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (UIP and IPF, respectively). They are cardinal entities thought to represent a key mechanism of pathogenesis. Hence, FF greatly impacts UIP/IPF diagnosis in current guidelines of ATS. 

However, these histomorphological hallmarks also occur in other fibrotic pulmonary diseases and there is still a knowledge gap regarding the underlying molecular similarities and differences of FF in different lung disease entities. 

Join Lavinia Neubert, MD, for a discussion about the pioneering research into the molecular histopathology of FF together with her mentor Professor Danny Jonigk. See how laser capture microdissection and mRNA and protein expression were used to analyze compartment-specific gene expression profiles of FF in IPF and sarcoidosis. You’ll discover how this method elucidates similarities and differences along with shared pathomechanisms.

Additionally, you’ll learn how key results demonstrating the FF of end-stage IPF and sarcoidosis lungs are similar in gene and protein expression, despite being different in initiation. These results encourage further studies on the use of antifibrotic agents.

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