Wenjie Yu, PhD

Research Project:
Enlarged Airway Glands and Their Link to Mucus Abnormalities in Chronic Airway Disease

Grant Awarded:

Catalyst Award

Research Topics:

basic biologic mechanisms
pathology

Research Diseases:

asthma
COPD
cystic fibrosis

Airway glands constantly produce mucus to trap and remove pathogens and particles from the environment to keep our lungs healthy. In people with chronic airway disease, their airway glands are enlarged and produce thicker and stickier mucus, causing constant cough and difficulty breathing. This research aims to understand various features of enlarged airway glands and link them to mucus abnormalities in chronic airway disease. Researchers will use a pig chronic lung disease model to investigate the features of airway gland enlargement in chronic lung disease, and whether these changed features directly lead to abnormal thicker mucus. By answering these questions, we hope to better understand the disease-causing changes of airway glands in chronic airway disease. This knowledge will lead to better treatment strategies to treat chronic lung diseases.

Page last updated: October 7, 2024

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