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Inflammatory Lung Diseases

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Brief description

  • Institute of Lung Biology and Disease (iLBD), Helmholtz Zentrum München

  • Centre for Pneumology and Thorax Surgery, Asklepios Specialist Clinics in Munich-Gauting

  • Scientific Objectives: The research activities of the KKG focus on inflammatory lung diseases, in particular environment-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease = COPD, which is also commonly known as “smoker’s cough”. COPD is caused by the regular inhalation of aerosols, which are found for instance in cigarette smoke. The disease includes chronic obstructive bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema. Emphysema is a destruction of alveolar tissue. This leads to a reduction of the inner surface of the lung, which is required for gas exchange. The chronic inflammation of the airways, i.e. chronic bronchitis causes the walls of the respiratory system to become thicker such that the air passages become very narrow. COPD is difficult to diagnose and the therapies, which are available, only allow for a temporary relief and do not cure the disease. Therefore, the KKG focuses on investigating the mechanisms of the development of the disease and of developing new diagnostic and therapeutical methods. For this purpose methods of controlled inhalation developed by the KKG as well as the latest molecular biology and immunological methods are applied.

  • Focuses

    • Investigations into the genetic causes of COPD and the influence of inhaled particles on the expression of inflammatory genes. 90 per cent of all patients with COPD are smokers, but only 15 per cent of all smokers develop COPD. Genetic predispositions, therefore, seem to be one of the decisive factors for the manifestation of this disease. Based on this the KKG analyses genetic differences between smokers with and without COPD with the aim of developing diagnostic markers for early detection, but also of defining target genes for potential therapy approaches.

    • Development of new diagnostic strategies, in order to describe the clinical picture more precisely by measuring lung structures by HR-CT (high resolution computer tomography). This allows for the distinction between the clinical picture of COPD with emphysema only and with chronic bronchitis only. Genetic studies on such subgroups of COPD may define marker genes for diagnosis and for differential treatment. Apart from that, investigations into the cleaning mechanisms of the lung contribute to a better understanding of the disease. Also, by investigating the newly discovered small macrophages in induced sputum the KKG is elucidating the role of these cells in the pathogenesis of COPD. The small macrophages are characterised by high level production of cytokines and this may be decisive for sustaining the inflammatory process.

    • New therapeutic approaches, which can stop the disease process (causal therapy), include the optimisation of inhalation strategies and new approaches with cortisone, vitamin A liposomes and glutathione and immunisation by inhalation of pneumococcal vaccines.

    • Apart from these key tasks, the KKG works on fundamental questions of the development and gene regulation in monocytes and macrophages with the support of third-party funds.

  • Outstanding Results:

    • Development of an apparatus for the controlled inhalation of therapeutic aerosols (AKITA), which allows for highly efficient and specific deposition of inhaled active substances in the lung.
    • Discovery that vitamin A packed into small fat droplets (liposomes) can block tissue-damaging proteases and increase tissue-protecting anti-proteases, which could delay the onset of emphysema.
    • Discovery of a new population of small macrophages with pro-inflammatory properties in COPD
    • Induction of anti-bacterial antibodies by inhalation of a pneumococcal vaccine

  • Technical Equipment

    • Total-body scintillation counter and biomagnetometer (magnetopneumograph) for the detection of the fast and slow cleaning function of the lung as well as of phagocytosis and macrophage mobility
    • Apparatus for the controlled inhalation of aerosols (AKITA)
    • LightCycler for PCR for molecular biology diagnosis
    • 3- and 4-colour flow cytometer for immunological diagnosis

  • Volunteers for Clinical Studies
    We are always looking for volunteer test subjects and patients for our studies on new methods and drugs. In case you are interest and you would like to support our work, you will find out more details at http://www.eva-copd.eu/ or from the Head of Clinical Studies: Prof. Ziegler-Heitbrock, Tel: 0049-89-3187-1882,

  • References 

  • Diplom- und Doktorarbeiten
    Applicants for doctoral or diploma theses in the fields of medicine, biology and medical engineering may contact Dr. Frankenberger () or Prof. Ziegler-Heitbrock ().

    also see www.monocyte.eu.