What COPD Researchers Are Learning: A Year In Review

The year 2021 was an exciting year in COPD research. The hunt continued full storm to learn more about our disease. And this has led to some new and exciting paths that may lead to future treatment options, and possibly even an eventual cure. Here is where we stand as the year comes to a close.

Adenine nucleotide translocase

In May I wrote, "Could A Protein One Day Prevent And Treat COPD?"

I wrote about how researchers are investigating this protein called Adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT). They observed that people who do not have COPD have an ample supply of it. And those who do have COPD have low levels of this protein.^1,2

So, researchers are studying this protein in the hopes that they may be able to utilize it as a potential future COPD treatment, or perhaps even an eventual cure.^1,2

MUC5AC protein

In June, I wrote, "Protein May Predict Which Smokers Develop COPD."

MUC51C is one of the genes on our gene code. This gene makes a protein by the same name: MUC51C. And this protein is responsible for creating a layer of gel that covers airway cells. This gel acts as a sticky substance to trap and kill harmful particles that enter your airways. And this is a natural way for your body to help keep your lungs clean and healthy.³

Researchers studied this protein in people who smoke. And they discovered that those who went on to develop COPD had elevated levels of this protein. So, they think that someday determining MUC51C levels may help predict which smokers are at greatest risk for developing COPD.⁴

Receptor-interacting protein kinase-3

In August I wrote, "Researchers Find Pathway to Potential New COPD Treatment: Necroptosis."

Inhaling harmful substances causes a type of cell death called necroptosis. This type of cell death is linked to a protein called receptor-interacting protein kinase-3 (RIPK3). Researchers observed that people with COPD have a lot of this type of cell death in their lungs.^5-7

This type of cell death may be responsible for the inflammation that progresses over time and causes COPD. So, is it possible further research into this may lead to a future medicine to prevent necroptosis and prevent COPD from developing?^5-7

FCHSD1 protein

In September I wrote, "Researchers Home in on Potential Cause of Emphysema."

FCHSD1 is a gene. And again this gene makes a protein of the same name: FCHSD1. Researchers have long been trying to figure out what this protein is used for. And now they are thinking that it may be the gene responsible for beginning the process that causes emphysema.^8-10

They learned this while studying 2 groups of people in Japan. They discovered that those who had normal levels of this protein had more cell death and lung inflammation than those with lower levels of it - this eventually causes emphysema.^8-10

So, this is another path by which researchers think they may be able to predict who is at the highest risk for developing COPD. And, likewise, further research into this area may also lead to strategies for preventing COPD, new treatment options, and perhaps even an eventual cure.

Excited for the future

So, there's a lot to be excited about. Thanks to all the people advocating for COPD, the word is getting out. And this has gone a long way for researchers to gain the much-needed funds to pay for their research.

To go along with the discoveries described here, there are many more studies that we have yet to write about. Researchers are learning a lot about our disease and some of this research has already paid off - there are now many potential COPD medicines in the pipeline.

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