Dr. Isis Enlil Fernandez Buelvas was honored at the annual European Respiratory Society (ERS) conference. The head of the core unit "Immunophenotyping" at the CPC-M received funding for the best abstract in basic and translational sciences.
Her topic is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, IPF and what exactly happens when this disease progresses. She investigates so-called circulating myeloid suppressor cells (MDSC). This group of immune cells of the hematopoietic system actually plays a role in tissue regeneration. However, Dr. Fernandez found that MDSCs orchestrate entire networks that promote scarring (fibrosis) of the lung tissue. Thus, inhibiting MDSC function could be a therapeutic option for IPF sufferers.
In patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or other fibrotic lung diseases, lung function deteriorates steadily. This results in shortness of breath or irritable coughing. This process is currently irreversible, so scientists are searching for indicators to detect the disease at an early stage.
The ERS International Congress is the annual conference of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the world's largest congress for respiratory medicine. It took place on September 15-19, 2018.