Of flies, mice and men: a systematic approach to understanding the early life origins of chronic lung disease.
Despite intensive research efforts, the aetiology of the majority of chronic lung diseases (CLD) in both, children and adults, remains elusive. Current therapeutic options are limited, providing only symptomatic relief, rather than treating the underlying condition, or preventing its development in the first place. Thus, there is a strong and unmet clinical need for the development of both, novel effective therapies and preventative strategies for CLD. Many studies suggest that modifications of prenatal and/or early postnatal lung development will have important implications for future lung function and risk of CLD throughout life. This view represents a fundamental change of current pathophysiological concepts and treatment paradigms, and holds the potential to develop novel preventative and/or therapeutic strategies. However, for the successful development of such approaches, key questions, such as a clear understanding of underlying mechanisms of impaired lung development, the identification and validation of relevant preclinical models to facilitate translational research, and the development of concepts for correction of aberrant development, all need to be solved. Accordingly, a European Science Foundation Exploratory Workshop was held where clinical, translational and basic research scientists from different disciplines met to discuss potential mechanisms of developmental origins of CLD, and to identify major knowledge gaps in order to delineate a roadmap for future integrative research.
Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany. susanne.krauss-etschmann@helmholtz-muenchen.de
Susanne
S
Krauss-Etschmann
Andrew
A
Bush
Saverio
S
Bellusci
Guy G
GG
Brusselle
Sven Erik K
SE
Dahlén
Stefan
S
Dehmel
Oliver
O
Eickelberg
Greg
G
Gibson
Machteld N
MN
Hylkema
Petra
P
Knaus
Melanie
M
Königshoff
Clare M
CM
Lloyd
Paolo
P
Macciarini
Arnaud
A
Mailleux
Benjamin J
BJ
Marsland
Dirkje S
DS
Postma
Graham
G
Roberts
Christos
C
Samakovlis
Janet
J
Stocks
Joke
J
Vandesompele
Matthias
M
Wjst
John
J
Holloway
D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D047108:Embryonic Development; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D011322:Primary Prevention; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests