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Welcome to the Ask Lab
“Fibrosis is Fibrosis is Fibrosis”
– Jack Gauldie
Research Themes
- Characterize Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress, Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) and up-regulation of molecular chaperones in patients with Chronic Lung Disease
- Investigate the role of ER stress and UPR in:
- Cigarette Smoke-Induced Lung Disease
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Investigate the link between ER stress and chronic inflammation
Role of protein misfolding in inflammation and chronic lung disease
Over the past 20 years, protein misfolding events have been associated with the pathogenesis of multiple diseases, ranging from diseases of genetic origins (cystic fibrosis/1-alpha antitrypsin deficiency) to metabolic disorders (diabetes) and cancer.
We are interested to learn more about the molecular events that occur when proteins are not folded correctly in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and to elucidate the downstream activation of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) to clarify its possible role in the initiation and progression of chronic lung disorders.
We believe that an increased understanding of the molecular pathways involved in the response to cellular ER stress and protein misfolding events will enable us to identify novel molecular targets involved in both disease initiation and progression.
Latest Publications
Wiley Online Library ➚
Monocyte and macrophage derived myofibroblasts: Is it fate? A review of the current evidence
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Chest Journal ➚
Protein Misfolding and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Chronic Lung Disease
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Wiley Online Library ➚
IL-6 mediates ER expansion during hyperpolarization of alternatively activated macrophages
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Affiliated Organizations
The following organizations are affiliated with the Ask Lab:
Department of Medicine, McMaster University
Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University
Demystifying Medicine Seminar Series
Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health