Prime Highlights:
Researchers at Brock University, led by Newman Sze, have identified an antibody that targets age-related protein damage in lung tissue, offering a potential cure for chronic lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis.
Unlike current treatments that focus on symptom management, the new antibody addresses the underlying cause of the disease, potentially curing rather than just alleviating symptoms.
The team found that isoDGR, a damaged biomolecule, accumulates in lung tissue with age and plays a significant role in conditions like pulmonary fibrosis and other age-related diseases.
Key Background:
An international research team led by Newman Sze, Canada Research Chair in Mechanisms of Health and Disease at Brock University, has discovered a potential cure for age-related lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis. The team identified a specific antibody that targets age-related damage to proteins in lung tissue and helps reduce inflammation in the lungs.
Current treatments for chronic lung diseases primarily focus on symptom management, offering limited relief. However, Sze’s groundbreaking research offers a more promising approach by targeting the root cause of the disease, potentially providing a cure rather than just alleviating symptoms. “The antibody we identified is treating the root cause of the disease, so this would be a cure instead of just making the patient feel better,” said Sze.
As people age, biomolecules in the body become damaged by environmental factors and lifestyle choices, leading to the development of chronic age-related diseases. These conditions, often seen as inevitable and incurable, could be addressed with Sze’s findings.
The research, published in Aging Cell on January 5, 2025, focuses on isoDGR, a peptide motif with damaged amino acids found in lung tissue. The team discovered that isoDGR concentrations increase with age, particularly in lung tissues from patients with pulmonary fibrosis. Using animal models, the researchers created an antibody that binds specifically to isoDGR, triggering the immune system to remove it from the body.
By eliminating this damaged protein, the tissue became healthy again, demonstrating the potential for a therapeutic intervention to treat pulmonary fibrosis and other conditions linked to isoDGR, including chronic inflammation and cardiovascular disease.
Sze’s research holds promise beyond lung diseases, with the potential to impact a range of age-related illnesses. The next steps involve modifying the antibody for compatibility with the human immune system, with plans for clinical trials and eventual patient use. The study was supported by funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canada Research Chair Program, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and other prominent organizations.
