Alveolar-capillary barrier dysfunction in acute lung injury

The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is marked by severe pulmonary vascular dysfunction and results in significant mortality and morbidity. Bacterial pneumonia and sepsis are common causes of ARDS. A key event in the pathogenesis of the acute lung injury (ALI) process underlying ARDS is disruption of the alveolar-capillary barrier, which consists of microvascular endothelial (EC) and alveolar epithelial cells (AEC). Our studies aim to understand the mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens cause dysfunction in lung EC and AEC, and to identify therapeutic strategies that protect the alveolar-capillary barrier, thereby preventing acute lung injury (ALI).