Why focus on the epithelium?

Sub-optimal disease control

Despite advances in diagnosis and management, many patients with respiratory disease still experience sub-optimal disease control.1,2 In a quest for elevated patient care, understanding the central role of the epithelium as an immune-functioning organ in both upper and lower airway disease is critical.3-5

Further understanding

Much of respiratory disease pathogenesis can be understood by exploring the Type-2 and beyond Type-2 inflammatory cascades that start at the epithelium.3,4,6,7 Increased understanding of the epithelium should therefore inform scientific exchange, exploring ways to improve disease stability and achieve remission.8-10

Earlier monitoring

Earlier and more regular monitoring is crucial to manage the dynamic and complex nature of epithelial-driven disease and better patient outcomes.7,11,12
Professor Louis-Philippe Boulet, MD, FRCPC

Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Laval University

“In the last three decades, I’ve been involved in research in asthma and respiratory allergy, as well as in education and knowledge translation in respiratory health.”

Professor Gianni Marone, MD

Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II

“Our team is working in the Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research of the University of Naples Federico II and focuses on inflammatory mediators in allergic diseases.”

Professor Celeste Porsbjerg, MD, PhD

Professor of Severe Asthma, Bispebjerg Hospital

“I am an expert in severe asthma, and I have a longstanding interest in the airway epithelium.”

Professor Christopher Brightling, PhD, FMedSci

Clinical Professor of Respiratory Medicine, University of Leicester and Glenfield Hospital

“My particular area of interest is airway diseases, in particular severe asthma, and trying to understand what are the underlying mechanisms.”

Professor Bruce Levy, MD

Division Chief, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

“I have a longstanding interest in exploring the fascinating biology of the airway epithelium and its role in health and disease.”

Assistant Professor Marco Caminati, MD

Assistant Professor in Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona

“My research interests focus on immunological and allergic diseases, in particular severe asthma and rare dysimmune conditions with hyper-eosinophilia.”

Professor Pascal Chanez, MD, PhD

Professor in the Department of Respiratory Diseases, University of Aix-Marseille

 “My particular interest is in the bronchial epithelium and its relation to allergy and environment in chronic severe bronchial diseases.

Dr Simon Couillard, MD-MSc

Assistant Professor in Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke

“EpiCentral is an important platform to tackle our rapidly evolving knowledge of the airway epithelium as the epicentre of asthma.”

Associate Professor Delbert (Del) Dorscheid, MD, PhD

Associate Professor, Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia

“I am currently investigating how repeated cycles of injury and repair of the airway epithelium contribute to the development of asthma.”

Professor Teal S. Hallstrand, MD, MPH

Professor of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington

“My particular interests are the management of difficult-to-control asthma and the pathogenesis of airway hyperresponsiveness including exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.”

Professor Enrico Heffler, MD, PhD

Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Humanitas University

My main clinical interests focus on inflammatory airway diseases, immunological mechanisms of allergic diseases, asthma, rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, anaphylaxis and food allergy.

Dr Tanya M. Laidlaw, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

“My primary research focus is on the causative mechanisms of AERD, severe asthma and nasal polyposis.”

Professor Ian Pavord, MA, DM, FRCP, FERS, FMedSci

Professor of Respiratory Medicine, University of Oxford

“My research focuses on identifying and validating biomarkers of eosinophilic, Type-2 airway inflammation in asthma and COPD.”

Associate Professor Gilda Varricchi, MD, PhD

Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, University of Naples Federico II

“My research area of interest is on the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma and allergic diseases, including the roles of eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, macrophages and specific cytokines in allergic disorders.”

EpiCentral is an incredible new initiative, and it refocuses our attention on the epithelium
Professor Christopher Brightling
EpiCreator

The Epithelial Topics

TOPIC 1

Unmet Need

Learn more about the complex nature of airway diseases
Explore topic
TOPIC 2

Upper Airway

Review the role of the epithelium in upper airway diseases
Explore topic
TOPIC 3

Lower Airway

Examine the role of the epithelium in lower airway diseases
Explore topic
TOPIC 4

Remission

Explore how the epithelium can play a role in remission
Coming soon
1. Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Global strategy for asthma management and prevention. 2024. Available from: https://ginasthma.org/2024-report/ (Accessed August 2024), 2. Wang E, et al. Chest. 2020;157:790–804, 3. Bartemes KR, et al. Clin Immunol. 2012;143:222–235, 4. Gauvreau GM, et al. Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2020;24:777–792, 5. Fokkens W, et al. Clin N Am. 2023;56:1–10, 6. Cohen L, et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2007;176:138–145, 7. Chapman DG, Irvin CG. Clin Exp Allergy. 2015;45:706–719, 8. Menzies-Gow A, et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2020;145:757–65, 9. Thomas D, et al. Eur Respir J. 2022;60:2102583, 10. Lommatzsch M, et al. Lancet. 2022;399(10335):1664–1668, 11. Busse WW. Allergol Int. 2019;68:158–166, 12. Tran TN, et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016;116:37–42.