FREE Webinar
Thursday, March 18, 2020
12:00 - 1:00 PM, Eastern Time
Viral respiratory infections such as those caused by influenza can drive a dangerous inflammatory immune response that damages the lungs. Some viruses induce lung fibroblasts to produce factors that enhance inflammation and protein degradation, reducing lung function. Understanding how to control this immune response is crucial, as it may enhance patient survival after viral infection.
In this webinar sponsored by 10x Genomics, Paul Thomas from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will discuss how his team discovered the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying virus induced lung damage using single cell and spatial transcriptomics. He will also discuss plans to translate these findings into treatments for preserving lung function and improving patient survival.
Topics to be covered
- Cell-mediated inflammation in the lungs following respiratory infection, including fibroblasts as the gatekeepers of the inflammatory immune response
- How spatial architecture influences fibroblast activation and disease severity in the lungs
- The role of ADAMTS-4, an enzyme implicated in driving inflammation and lung damage
- Small molecule treatments to inhibit ADAMTS-4
Meet the Speakers:
Paul G. Thomas, PhD
Member, St. Jude Faculty
