Stem Cells and Cell Therapies in Lung Biology and Diseases

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Repair and regeneration of diseased lung with stem cells is an exciting potential therapeutic approach for a variety of lung diseases. Increasing information suggests that cells normally not resident in the lung can be utilized to impair lung injury and also to induce repair and remodeling after injury. In parallel, there has been a surge in bioengineering studies investigating use of artificial matrices as framework for three dimensional lung regeneration. The combination of these studies with those utilizing stem cells and/or cell therapies is a promising rapidly developing direction but one that is still in its infancy. These studies have been further paralleled by significant increases in understanding the molecular and cellular events by which stem and/or progenitor cells resident in the lung participate in both lung development and in repair and remodeling after lung injury. We have held two previous conferences at the University of Vermont in July 2005. Adult Stem Cells, Lung Biology, and Lung Disease, sponsored by the NHBLI and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; and in July 2007. Stem Cells and Cell Therapies in Lung Biology and Disease, sponsored by the NHLBI through an R13 conference grant as well as by the Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Foundation and Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, that brought together relevant investigators as well as interested junior faculty and students to debate and discuss issues in this rapidly moving field. These conferences have been very successful and have both stimulated the field and resulted in a series of guidelines for basic and translation research to be utilized by both investigators and by funding agencies. As studies of stem cell and cell therapies for lung diseases continues to move at a rapid pace, we propose to again convene the relevant investigators as well as representatives from the NHLBI, FDA, and non-profit Respiratory Disease Foundations to again debate and discuss current issues. One area in particular to be discussed is the balance between basic and translational research and the role of clinical trials, particularly as there have now been clinical trials of stem cells for pulmonary hypertension and for COPD. As in the previous conferences, junior investigators and trainees (graduate, post doctoral, fellow) will be particularly targeted for inclusion in both conference discussions as well as in poster sessions. As a continuing feature, trainees will be able to compete for travel awards based on blinded review of poster abstracts. The conference is planned for July 2009 at the University of Vermont. Enthusiasm is already high among potential participants. We anticipate that this conference will again foster extensive discussion and debate and will significantly guide the directions taken in basic and clinical research of stem cells and cell therapies for lung diseases. (End of Abstract)