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Research by Brock University scientists uncovers a potential cure for pulmonary fibrosis and other age-related lung conditions.
A groundbreaking discovery led by Brock University may hold the key to curing age-related lung diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis, which typically affect older adults. This promising research, recently published in Aging Cell, identifies a specific antibody capable of targeting and treating the root cause of chronic lung diseases, offering hope for more effective treatments beyond current symptom management.
The study, led by Professor Newman Sze, a Canada Research Chair in Mechanisms of Health and Disease, focuses on an antibody that addresses the damage to proteins in lung tissue caused by the aging process. The research team discovered that this antibody could not only reduce inflammation but also heal the damage that triggers age-related lung diseases.
“Current treatments for chronic lung disease generally focus on symptom management,” explains Sze. “The antibody we’ve identified goes deeper by treating the underlying cause of the disease. This approach could offer a cure rather than just alleviating symptoms.”
As individuals age, environmental factors and lifestyle choices lead to the accumulation of damaged biomolecules in body tissues. These damaged molecules contribute to the aging process and the development of chronic age-related diseases, often thought to be incurable. Traditional treatments targeting genes or enzymes have proven ineffective in addressing this type of damage.
The research team investigated a particular biomolecule, isoDGR, a peptide motif composed of three amino acids, which is frequently damaged over time. The team examined lung tissue samples from people of various ages, including those diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, and found that isoDGR levels increased with age, being significantly higher in the tissues of patients with lung fibrosis.
Using animal models, the team developed an antibody that binds specifically to isoDGR, activating the immune system to eliminate this harmful protein. “When isoDGR was removed from the lungs, tissue health was restored,” says Sze. “By targeting and removing the damaged proteins, the lung tissue actually became healthy again.”
The implications of this discovery extend beyond pulmonary fibrosis. IsoDGR is implicated in several chronic conditions, including chronic inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, lung edema, hypoxemia, and vascular congestion. It is also stored in various parts of the body, including blood vessels, contributing to a range of age-related diseases.
“This approach of immunotherapy holds substantial potential for treating not only lung diseases but also other chronic age-related conditions,” says Sze. “By targeting and eliminating damaged proteins, we could support healthier aging and reduce the burden of these diseases in elderly populations.”
Looking ahead, Sze and his team are collaborating with pharmaceutical companies to adapt the antibody for human clinical trials. The next phase will focus on modifying the antibody to ensure its compatibility with the human immune system, moving closer to its application for patient use.
The study’s findings represent a significant leap forward in our understanding of age-related diseases and could ultimately revolutionize how these conditions are treated.
For further information, refer to: Pazhanichamy Kalailingam et al, “Immunotherapeutic targeting of aging‐associated isoDGR motif in chronic lung inflammation,” Aging Cell (2025). DOI: 10.1111/acel.14425.
