Fibrosis is the cycle of damage-healing-scarring-damage, etc. in inflammatory disease. The functions of various proteins and peptides are to direct specific inflammatory cells to the diseased tissue and to regulate formation and breakdown of fibers in scars. Research has shown that fibrosis progresses in some mice, but other affected mice return to normal, suggesting that healing mechanisms exist to end inflammation and clear the scarring, thereby reversing fibrosis.

The results of Dr. Kemin Chen’s study will be 1) to determine if fibrosis derives from dysregulated proteins and peptides in the study, and 2) to design therapeutic strategies to inhibit development of fibrosis by blocking the specific proteins and peptides (chemokines and MMPs).