Our research

Exercise training has for many years been a cornerstone in the treatment of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and studies have shown improved life quality and prolonged survival. However, little is known about what actually occurs on a cell- and molecular level. Our hypothesis is that adjusted exercise training improves disease outcomes. By evaluating how exercise training may induce amelioration in disease outcomes on a cellular- and molecular level, we anticipate identifying regenerative pathways in lung tissue as potential targets for future interventions.

The T-REX project:

COPD patients will undergo a 12-week supervised exercise-training program intervention. Before and after this program, we will assess general health conditions and collect tissue samples. In addition, the patients will also complete questionnaires, lung function and physical capacity tests. The biological samples allow us to investigate how exercise affects inflammatory and regenerative processes, such as stem cell activity and matrix turnover. These molecular patterns may be correlated to vital lung parameters and physical capacity.

In parallel, we intend to do in vitro studies of cell behavior and remodeling/regenerative processes altered in COPD patients upon exercise training.

Aims

• To identify factors stimulating lung regeneration in patients with COPD

• Find biomarkers mirroring systemic processes involved in lung repair

• Study the effects of exercise training on the pulmonary ventilation/perfusion ratio and quality of life.

• Obtain deeper mechanistic insights into molecular- and cellular activities using a custom-built bioreactor.

Impact

With deeper mechanistic insight in molecular- and cellular activities induced by exercise training, we hope to be able to repair what was previously perceived as irreversible. We expect to identify biomarkers mirroring systemic processes in these patients and thereby discover potential targets both to reveal disease mechanisms and generate fingerprints to predict diagnosis and evaluate response to treatment. Moreover, the positive signals obtained from exercise training may be further enhanced by pharmacological intervention strategies as soon as relevant targets for intervention has been identified.

How our research contributes to CoPARLU

We contribute with expertise in translational research, basic research in cell- and matrix biology, regenerative medicine and bioengineering. Our team has long-term expertise in lung pathophysiology, physiotherapy and biomechanics. We have close collaborations with the clinic and access to human material.