New antibody treatment could cure lung diseases in older people

A groundbreaking study led by researchers at Brock University has identified a potential cure for chronic lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis, that primarily affect older adults.

The research, published in the journal Aging Cell, highlights a specific antibody capable of targeting and eliminating age-related damage in lung tissue, offering hope for not just managing symptoms but addressing the root cause of these diseases.

Pulmonary fibrosis and similar conditions develop as a result of cumulative damage to biomolecules, such as proteins, caused by environmental and lifestyle factors. This damage accelerates with age, contributing to chronic inflammation and tissue degeneration in the lungs.

Until now, these age-related diseases were considered incurable, with treatments focused solely on alleviating symptoms rather than reversing the damage.

Professor Newman Sze, a Health Sciences researcher and Canada Research Chair in Mechanisms of Health and Disease, explains the significance of their discovery. “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,” says Sze.

The Science Behind the Discovery

At the core of the study is a damaged biomolecule called isoDGR, a peptide motif consisting of three amino acids. These amino acids become structurally damaged over time due to the effects of aging, resulting in the accumulation of isoDGR in lung tissue.

Researchers found that the presence of isoDGR in lung tissues increases significantly with age and is up to eight times higher in patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

To understand how isoDGR contributes to lung disease, the research team studied its accumulation using human lung tissues and animal models. They then developed a specialized antibody that binds exclusively to isoDGR. This antibody activates the immune system to target and remove the damaged protein.

“When isoDGR was removed, the tissue actually became healthy again,” says Sze. This approach not only reversed lung damage in animal models but also reduced inflammation, a hallmark of chronic lung disease.

Broader Implications for Aging and Chronic Diseases

While pulmonary fibrosis was the focus of the study, the findings have far-reaching implications. IsoDGR is not limited to lung tissue—it is also stored in blood vessels and other areas of the body.

This makes it a contributing factor to a range of age-related conditions, including cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation, lung edema, hypoxemia, and vascular congestion.

“Since biomolecular damage is a main cause of many chronic age-related diseases, targeting and removing the damaged proteins with antibodies may offer therapeutic benefits beyond lung diseases,” Sze explains.

This immunotherapeutic approach could support healthy aging by reducing the burden of multiple chronic diseases tied to aging.

Next Steps Toward Clinical Use

The research team is now working with industry partners to adapt the antibody for use in humans.

This involves modifying the antibody to ensure compatibility with the human immune system, a critical step before it can be tested in clinical trials. The ultimate goal is to develop a safe, effective treatment that could be available for patients.

“This immunotherapeutic approach holds significant promise for reducing the burden of age-related diseases and supporting healthy aging in elderly populations,” says Sze.

If successful, this innovation could revolutionize the treatment of chronic age-related diseases by offering a path to not only slow their progression but potentially reverse their effects.

With further development, this antibody therapy may mark a turning point in how age-related conditions are treated, bringing renewed hope to millions affected by chronic diseases worldwide.

If you care about lung health, please read studies about marijuana’s effects on lung health, and why some non-smokers get lung disease and some heavy smokers do not.

For more information about health, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and vitamin D could help lower the risk of autoimmune diseases.

The research findings can be found in Aging Cell.