title: Prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia: finally, something that works.
abstract: Due to a lack of understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in its pathogenesis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) still remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the premature infant and there is no effective preventive and/or therapeutic intervention. We have taken a basic biologic approach to elucidate the pathophysiology of BPD and have discovered that disruption of the alveolar Parathyroid Hormone-related Protein (PTHrP) signaling is centrally involved in this process. Further, stabilization of this signaling pathway by using exogenous PTHrP agonists can prevent and/or rescue the molecular injuries caused by insults that lead to BPD. Based upon years of work in this field, here I provide a novel and innovative molecular approach, i.e, exogenous treatment with PTHrP pathway agonists to prevent and/or treat BPD. However, to avoid any later surprises, it is important to emphasize that before translating it into human trials, this approach needs further testing and refinement in animal models.
authors.affiliation: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Torrance, USA.
authors.forename: Virender K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Rehan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D047495:PPAR gamma; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein