Lung research

Research for healthy lungs

Airway research has been a focus at Fraunhofer ITEM ever since the institute was founded. One emphasis has been on protecting health from potentially harmful, in particular airborne substances — be they gases, aerosols, particles, fibers, or nanomaterials — and another one on investigating and developing diagnostic and therapeutic concepts, both at the preclinical and clinical levels. To characterize the exposure to airborne substances, Fraunhofer ITEM researchers implement novel nebulizers and test beds and further develop already established technologies, for example for the characterization of materials such as nanocarriers that may be used as drug delivery systems in the long term.

Advancing ideas to the proof of concept

Microscopic image of differently stained cells.
© Fraunhofer ITEM
Through their clinical research, Fraunhofer ITEM scientists enable a direct transfer of findings to humans, for example, by using chip cytometry and exhaled breath analysis.

Based on their comprehensive experience and expertise in clinical airway research, the scientists also work on patients with respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD and allergic rhinitis, as well as interstitial lung diseases, in particular idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and inflammatory diseases. Through their clinical research, Fraunhofer ITEM scientists enable a direct transfer of findings to humans, for example, by using chip cytometry, ultra-sensitive biomarker measurements and exhaled breath analysis. 

Lung research: recent projects and highlights

 

Innovative Chip Cytometry: RLS-0071 Reduces Airway Neutrophilia

Using chip cytometry, researchers analyze the effects of a novel anti-inflammatory peptide on airway neutrophilia after endotoxin exposure.

 

A new approach to treating bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis causes inflammation and tissue damage. A newly developed drug tested at Fraunhofer ITEM shows potential for targeted therapies in a Phase I study.

Innovative inhalation therapy for lung tissue regeneration

The first Phase 1/1B clinical trial investigates the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of CMR316.

 

Transcriptomic characterization of segmental LPS challenge in humans

The LPS challenge model allows the investigation of immune responses and drug effects in the lung. The study analyzed gene activity and revealed parallels to respiratory diseases.

 

Demonstrating proof of concept for an inhaled asthma biologic

A new inhaled formulation of an anti-TSLP antibody from Novartis was tested by Fraunhofer ITEM and international partners.

Project FibroPaths®

Therapeutic modulation of organ fibrosis in biochip format. 

Allergen Challenge Chamber at Fraunhofer ITEM

Many hay fever patients are looking for non-drug alternatives to conventional medication. 

 

Precision-cut lung slices

Precision-cut lung slices allow early events in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases to be studied in human lung tissue.

Project archive

Here you can find more projects sorted by our research and development competences. 

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Clinical studies at Fraunhofer ITEM

We are a highly specialized, academia-affiliated research center for early-phase and proof-of-concept clinical trials.

#WeKnow ClinicalResearch

Get some insights into our clinical airway research in our video series #WeKnowClinicalResearch.

Coronavirus research at Fraunhofer ITEM

As an institute with decades of experience in infection and airway research Fraunhofer ITEM can make an important contribution to scientific progress in the fight against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

Publications

  • Bahudhanapati, H., Tan, J., Apel, R. M., Seeliger, B., Schupp, J., Li, X., Sullivan, D. I., Sembrat, J., Rojas, M., Tabib, T., Valenzi, E., Lafyatis, R., Mitash, N., Hernandez Pineda, R., Jawale, C., Peroumal, D., Biswas, P., Tedrow, J., Adams, T., Kaminski, N., Wuyts, W. A., McDyer, J. F., Gibson, K. F., Alder, J. K., Konigshoff, M., Zhang, Y., Nouraie, M., Prasse, A., Kass, D. J. (2024). Increased expression of CXCL6 in secretory cells drives fibroblast collagen synthesis and is associated with increased mortality in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. European Respiratory Journal 63(1). doi: 10.1183/13993003.00088-2023 https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/63/1/2300088.long
  • Blumer, S., Khan, P., Artysh, N., Plappert, L., Savic, S., Knudsen, L., Jonigk, D., Kuehnel, M. P., Prasse, A., Hostettler, K. E. (2024). The use of cultured human alveolar basal cells to mimic honeycomb formation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Respiratory Research 25(1): 26. doi: 10.1186/s12931-024-02666-9 https://respiratory-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12931-024-02666-9  - Open Access
  • Brandsma, J., Schofield, J. P. R., Yang, X., Strazzeri, F., Barber, C., Goss, V. M., Koster, G., Bakke, P. S., Caruso, M., Chanez, P., Dahlen, S. E., Fowler, S. J., Horvath, I., Krug, N., Montuschi, P., Sanak, M., Sandstrom, T., Shaw, D. E., Chung, K. F., Singer, F., Fleming, L. J., Adcock, I. M., Pandis, I., Bansal, A. T., Corfield, J., Sousa, A. R., Sterk, P. J., Sanchez-Garcia, R. J., Skipp, P. J., Postle, A. D., Djukanovic, R., Group, U. B. S. (2023). Stratification of asthma by lipidomic profiling of induced sputum supernatant. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.02.032 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091674923002932?via%3Dihub
  • Gress, C., Litzenburger, T., Schmid, R., Xiao, K., Heissig, F., Muller, M., Gupta, A., Hohlfeld, J. M. (2024). Transcriptomic characterization of the human segmental endotoxin challenge model. Scientific Reports 14(1): 1721. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-51547-0 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-51547-0  - Open Access
  • Gress, C., Vogel-Claussen, J., Badorrek, P., Müller, M., Hohl, K., Konietzke, M., Litzenburger, T., Seibold, W., Gupta, A., Hohlfeld, J. M. (2023). The effect of bradykinin 1 receptor antagonist BI 1026706 on pulmonary inflammation after segmental lipopolysaccharide challenge in healthy smokers. Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics [Epub ahead of print]: 102246. doi: 10.1016/j.pupt.2023.102246 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1094553923000585?via%3Dihub
  • Hilbold, E., Bär, C., Thum, T. (2023). COVID-19: Insights into long-term manifestations and lockdown impacts. J Sport Health Sci [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2023.02.006 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254623000194?via%3Dihub - Open Access
  • Lukovic, D., Hasimbegovic, E., Winkler, J., Mester-Tonczar, J., Muller-Zlabinger, K., Han, E., Spannbauer, A., Traxler-Weidenauer, D., Bergler-Klein, J., Pavo, N., Goliasch, G., Batkai, S., Thum, T., Zannad, F., Gyongyosi, M. (2023). Identification of Gene Expression Signatures for Phenotype-Specific Drug Targeting of Cardiac Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 24(8). doi: 10.3390/ijms24087461 https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/8/7461  - Open Access
  • Metra, M., Adamo, M., Tomasoni, D., Mebazaa, A., Bayes-Genis, A., Abdelhamid, M., Adamopoulos, S., Anker, S. D., Bauersachs, J., Belenkov, Y., Bohm, M., Gal, T. B., Butler, J., Cohen-Solal, A., Filippatos, G., Gustafsson, F., Hill, L., Jaarsma, T., Jankowska, E. A., Lainscak, M., Lopatin, Y., Lund, L. H., McDonagh, T., Milicic, D., Moura, B., Mullens, W., Piepoli, M., Polovina, M., Ponikowski, P., Rakisheva, A., Ristic, A., Savarese, G., Seferovic, P., Sharma, R., Thum, T., Tocchetti, C. G., Van Linthout, S., Vitale, C., Von Haehling, S., Volterrani, M., Coats, A. J. S., Chioncel, O., Rosano, G. (2023). Pre-discharge and early post-discharge management of patients hospitalized for acute heart failure: A scientific statement by the Heart Failure Association of the ESC. European Journal of Heart Failure 25(7): 1115-1131. doi: 10.1002/ejhf.2888 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejhf.2888  - Open Access
  • Nagai, M., Shityakov, S., Smetak, M., Hunkler, H. J., Bär, C., Schlegel, N., Thum, T., Forster, C. Y. (2023).  Blood Biomarkers in Takotsubo Syndrome Point to an Emerging Role for Inflammaging in Endothelial Pathophysiology. Biomolecules 13(6) 955. doi: 10.3390/biom13060995 https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/13/6/995 - Open Access
  • Seferovic, P. M., Polovina, M., Rosano, G., Bozkurt, B., Metra, M., Heymans, S., Mullens, W., Bauersachs, J., Sliwa, K., de Boer, R. A., Farmakis, D., Thum, T., Olivotto, I., Rapezzi, C., Linhart, A., Corrado, D., Tschope, C., Milinkovic, I., Bayes Genis, A., Filippatos, G., Keren, A., Asanin, M., Krljanac, G., Maksimovic, R., Skouri, H., Ben Gal, T., Moura, B., Volterrani, M., Abdelhamid, M., Lopatin, Y., Chioncel, O., Coats, A. J. (2023). State-of-the-art document on optimal contemporary management of cardiomyopathies. European Journal of Heart Failure [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1002/ejhf.2979 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejhf.2979 - Open Access
  • Wachtel, H., Emerson-Stadler, R., Langguth, P., Hohlfeld, J. M., Ohar, J. (2024). Aerosol Plumes of Inhalers Used in COPD. Pulm Ther [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1007/s41030-023-00249-5 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41030-023-00249-5 - Open Access
  • Zannikos, P., Solanki, B., De Meulder, M., Badorrek, P., Hohlfeld, J. M., Singh, J. (2023). Pharmacokinetics of Nasal Esketamine in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis with and Without Nasal Decongestant Pretreatment and in Healthy Subjects with and Without Nasal Corticosteroid Pretreatment. Clinical Pharmacokinetics [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1007/s40262-023-01273-z https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40262-023-01273-z -