Dysfunctional mitochondria in respiratory disease
Symposium Chairs: Agnes Boots (Maastricht, Netherlands), Catherine Greene (Dublin, Ireland)
Aims: This session will aim to clarify the role of mitochondrial damage, release of mitochondrial DNA, and/or mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in driving respiratory disease pathology (e.g., COPD, acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and asthma). A cadre of experts will critically discuss the evidence that suggests that defects in mitochondrial DNA and/or environmental or cellular stress that damages the mitochondria can promote various diseases of the lung. The focus will be on the effects of these mitochondrial defects/stresses on lung cell/lung tissue function. The presenters will also discuss possible underlying mechanisms and targets of intervention.