Defining Acute Exacerbations of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

这份K23提案的目的是为了让我作为一名临床研究员继续发展 目标是成为间质性肺病研究的独立领导者。在导师的指导下 小塔尔马奇·E·金博士。和Michael A.Matthay博士，并在经验丰富的网络的指导下 作为临床和基础研究人员，我将获得实现这一目标所需的经验和技能。 我设计的研究方案涉及定义特发性肺的急性加重 临床和生物学水平的纤维化(IPF)。间质性肺纤维化是一种常见且高度病态的间质性肺。 疾病，其中急性加重是一个重要组成部分。发病率、病因和临床 对急性加重的重要性仍知之甚少。最近，NHLBI创建了IPF 临床研究网络(IPFnet)，允许对IPF进行大规模、设计良好的干预研究。通过 将我的研究计划定位为利用IPFnet主题和基础设施，我计划实现 以下四个具体目标： 目的1：了解特发性肺纤维化急性加重的发生率及危险因素。 目的2：明确隐匿性病毒感染在肺间质纤维化急性加重中的病因学作用。 目的3：探讨凝血功能紊乱在特发性肺纤维化急性加重中的作用。 目的4：探讨肺间质纤维化急性加重的预后意义。 为了达到这些目标，临床数据、呼吸道分泌物和血液样本将从 估计有150名IPF急性加重的受试者和适当的对照组。这项研究建议 可提供对急性加重的频率和原因的洞察，提供证据以供 设计预防和治疗的干预试验。重要的是，这项研究提案还将有助于 培养我的职业发展目标，获得未来临床工作的经验和专业知识 研究试验，掌握尖端的生物统计学技术，发展多学科 临床和基础科学家之间的合作。这些技能将使我充分认识到 临床研究，以了解基础生物学和提高医学知识。

The purpose of this K23 proposal is to allow for my continued development as a clinical researcher with the goal of becoming an independent leader in the investigation of interstitial lung disease. Under the mentorship of Dr. Talmadge E. King, Jr. and Dr. Michael A. Matthay, and with guidance from a network of experienced clinical and basic researchers, I will obtain the experience and skills necessary to achieve this goal. The research proposal I have designed involves defining acute exacerbations of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) at a clinical and biological level. IPF is a common and highly morbid form of interstitial lung disease, of which acute exacerbations are an important component. The incidence, causes, and clinical significance of acute exacerbations remain poorly understood. Recently, the NHLBI has created the IPF Clinical Research Network (IPFNet) to allow for large-scale, well-designed interventional studies of IPF. By positioning my research proposal to take advantage of IPFNet subjects and infrastructure, I plan to achieve the following four specific aims: Aim 1: To determine the incidence of and risk factors for acute exacerbations ofIPF. Aim 2: To define the etiologic role of occult viral infection in acute exacerbations ofIPF. Aim 3: To determine the role of disordered coagulation in acute exacerbations ofIPF. Aim 4: To demonstrate the prognostic significance of acute exacerbations ofIPF. To achieve these aims, clinical data, respiratory secretions, and blood samples will be collected from an estimated 150 subjects with acute exacerbations of IPF and appropriate controls. This research proposal may provide insight into the frequency and causes of acute exacerbations,providing evidence upon which to design interventional trials of prevention and treatment. Importantly, this research proposal will also serve to foster my career development goals of gaining experience and expertise in conducting prospective clinical research trials, mastering sophisticated biostatistical techniques, and developing multidisciplinary collaborations among clinical and basic scientists. These skills will allow me to fully realize the power of clinical research to inform basic biology and advance medical knowledge.