Pulmonary

Mouse studies suggest inhibiting ZMPSTE24 with Kaletra lopinavir/ritonavir could help treat acute lung injury (ALI). In a mouse model of ventilator-induced ALI, systemic ZMPSTE24 knockout decreased markers of injury and increased oxygenation and lung compliance compared with normal ZMPSTE24 expression. Also in the model, the HIV drug Kaletra, which is hypothesized to inhibit ZMPSTE24, decreased markers of injury and increased oxygenation and lung compliance compared with vehicle. Next steps could include confirming Kaletra’s inhibitory action against ZMPSTE24 and testing the drug in other ALI models...