Evaluation of a new proteasome inhibitor for treatment of lung fibrosis

Background: So far treatment options in lung fibrosis are very limited and lung transplantation still remains the only therapy in severe cases. Proteasome inhibition has been reported to prevent development of fibrosis in several organs like liver, skin, kidney, heart, or bone marrow. Non-toxic doses of proteasome inhibitors effectively reduce deposition of collagens, expression of MMPs, and TGFß signaling. However, the effect of proteasome inhibitors on lung fibrosis is controversial and possibly related to the cytotoxic side effects of the inhibition of proteasomal protein degradation in the cell. Hypothesis:…