Lecturer: Dr. Stefan Hadžić, Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute, Justus Liebig University in Giessen, Germany

Time: Thursday, 19th February 2026, 12.00

Venue: IBISS Library

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a leading cause of global mortality, characterized by progressive emphysema and pulmonary vascular alterations, for which no regenerative therapies exist. Dr. Hadzic's talk will elucidate how oxidative and nitrosative stress drives this pathology by disrupting developmental pathways essential for adult lung homeostasis.

Research in his group found that stress in parenchymal cells impairs Fibroblast Growth Factor 10 (FGF10) signaling, a key regulator of the distal alveolar niche. This dysregulation can lead to the loss of lung structural integrity. We observed that vascular changes, such as capillary pruning, often occur before emphysema develops, indicating that communication between the vascular and alveolar compartments is essential. From a therapeutic standpoint, we show that reactivating these developmental pathways might be an effective strategy for regeneration. In preclinical models, increasing FGF10 signaling successfully reversed established emphysema and pulmonary hypertension by coordinating repair between alveolar epithelial type 2 cells and endothelial cells. To advance these findings, the group is currently investigating engineered FGF10 variants with improved stability to overcome extracellular matrix barriers and restore lung function.

Ultimately, understanding the pathways that govern adult lung repair is essential, as it could lead to new therapeutic options in regenerative medicine.