Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes illness and death worldwide. It is characterized by destruction of the walls of tiny air sacs in the lungs, known as emphysema, and a decline in lung function. Little has been known about the mechanisms by which it begins to develop. But now, researchers from Japan have found a protein that promotes the development of the early stages of emphysema, with the potential to be a therapeutic target.
COPD can be triggered by environmental factors such as cigarette smoking that result in lung inflammation. The development of inflammation involves the movement of molecules inside cells, and this “intracellular trafficking” is known to be associated with some diseases. The team searched for COPD-related proteins that are involved in trafficking and identified a protein called FCHSD1, which is associated with some diseases but with no currently known role in lung function.
It is possible to create a mouse model of emphysema by treating mice with an enzyme called elastase. The team developed a mouse line that was missing the FCHSD1 protein and studied the responses of these mice in comparison with normal mice when emphysema was induced. Normal mice showed a large increase in FCHSD1 after treatment, while mice lacking FCHSD1 were protected from the development of emphysema. These mice showed less airspace expansion owing to damage to the air sacs in the lungs, and had less inflammation and cell death, known as apoptosis.
The researchers went on to investigate the molecular mechanism by which FCHSD1 acts. A protein called NRF2 moves into the nucleus in response to stress and acts to defend against it. However, FCHSD1 binds to NRF2 and prevents it moving into the nucleus. “Mice with a FCHSD1 deficiency showed enhanced nuclear translocation of NRF2 and a smaller reduction in SIRT1 levels, which is seen to occur as emphysema develops,” explains lead author Takahiro Kawasaki, “and this reduced inflammation and apoptosis of lung cells.”
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Hi , I'm stage four c.o.p.d as you already know , if c.o.p.d isn't managed well or you don't have access to your pescribed medication c.o.p.d doesn't take long to spiral out of control as I found out . Diagnosed in 2003 well managed till 2017 and thanks to a third party and the dwp no medication for three and a half years in that time hit stage four with a life expectancy of 1 / 3years problem is I know have seizures caused by oxygen issues and haven't slept lay down in three years . Take care and keep safe 👍
I get ESA and I'm going through the process of pip , Im living with my stepfather who retired out here with my mother unfortunately my mum passed away hense my visit here to pay my respects but my now ex wife who was committing adultery used this as a good way to keep me from being able to contest the divorce as I couldn't get legal representation out here , ESA had stopped my benefit because of false information she gave them to keep me from returning . The ESA after three and half years got the truth and reinstated my ESA but the damage had been done I went from stage two c.o.p.d to now being stage four with a life expectancy of one to three years so not good . What I get in ESA barely covers the cost of my Meds but luckily oxygen tanks are free 😂😂 the pulmonologist who deals with me as relinquished her consultation fee which is good and I see her every month for a spirometry test my BP and blood sugar levels along with my blood oxygen levels checked at no cost .
I can't see the point in stressing out getting upset or screaming and shouting even though I feel like it alot because it wouldn't change anything and my condition is not going to improve by doing so 👍 I take each day as a blessing and now the rules have changed regarding getting pensions early through terminal illness from six months to a year I've got that to look forward to 😂😂 I'm only 57 .
That's a cruel thing she done to you. I don't know anything how your marriage has been, but to do something like that, speaks of the true character of your wife. I am sorry that you ended up like this.
I wish you all the best that you still can enjoy your life there. 🌺🌺🌺
I enjoy each day I wake up 😊 and sometimes people think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence . But karma sorts it all out eventually and has my mum always said what goes around comes around 😸. Take care and keep safe I'm just off to go on my machine for meds then a nice coffee .
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