Programmes Européens EU PCRD7

Markers for emphysema versus airway disease in COPD (EvA)

• Coordinator

  Contact Person:
  ERTEL, Juergen (Dr)
  Tel: +49-893187-3022
  Fax: +49-893187-3866
  Email: Contact

  Organisation:
  HELMHOLTZ ZENTRUM MUNCHEN
  DEUTSCHESFORSCHUNGSZENTRUM FUR GESUNDHEIT UND UMWELT GMBH
  Ingolstaedter Landstrasse
  MUNCHEN
  GERMANY

Web site

http://www.eva-copd.eu/

Project description

The project objectives are based upon the underlying concept that COPD is characterised by emphysema and airway disease (inflammation and thickening of the bronchial wall) both of which lead to airway obstruction with reduced FEV. These two features coexist in most patients but some patients present with either emphysema or airway disease. The aim of the project is to identify markers specific to emphysema and airway disease in COPD. The hypothesis of the EvA project is that the mechanisms leading to these pathologies are distinctive with regard to the type of inflammatory response and in terms of genetic predisposition. The differences in pathogenesis for emphysema and inflammatory airway disease mean that the two forms of COPD are linked to different markers at the DNA, RNA and protein level. What methods will be used in the research? By using computed tomography scans to select patients with either emphysema or airway disease, the consortium will obtain material from the lung (leukocytes, bronchial cells) and blood (leukocytes) and analyse elements of gene expression (SNP array, transcriptome). Data analysis will be carried out for emphysema versus airway disease and also versus a control cohort leading to the identification of markers specifically linked to either emphysema or air- way disease. The markers will be elements involved in a differential pathogene- sis for the different disease processes in COPD and can, therefore, be used for diagnostic approaches and as therapeutic targets. Who will be involved? The project brings together 13 partners from nine European countries, and includes: 10 clinical centres that identify and sample selected patients; one centre for image analysis; and two centres that perform theanalysis of the biological material. The ERS is also involved in the project. The ERS will disseminate information from the activities to inform physicians and the general public of the validated project outcomes during and after the project.

Participants

• PHILIPPS UNIVERSITAET MARBURG, GERMANY
• INSTYTUT GRUZLICY I CHOROB PLUC, POLAND
• P & M VENGE AB, SWEDEN
• ORSZAGOS KORANYI TBE ES PULMONOLOGIAI INTEZET, HUNGARY
• UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS COVENTRY AND WARWICKSHIRE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE TRUST, UNITED KINGDOM
• EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY SOCIETY, SWITZERLAND
• COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, FRANCE
• ACADEMISCH ZIEKENHUIS LEIDEN - LEIDS UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUM, NETHERLANDS
• MEDIZINISCHE HOCHSCHULE HANNOVER, GERMANY
• UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER, UNITED KINGDOM
• UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI FERRARA, ITALY
• THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM
• UNIVERSITAETSKLINIKUM FREIBURG, GERMANY