Research Overview

Mucus plugging is a critical pathological feature contributing to morbidity and mortality in chronic lung diseases. While goblet cell hyperplasia is a well-established contributor, airway mucus pathology is fundamentally a two-compartment problem involving both goblet cells and the significantly understudied submucosal glands, which extend as deep as 8-10 airway generations. Our laboratory utilizes human donor lungs, advanced porcine models, and organoid cultures to investigate the specific inflammatory signals and cellular mechanisms that dictate SMG remodeling and mucus hypersecretion. For more, please refer to Research.

Wenjie Yu, PhD
Principle investigator
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Occupational Medicine
Email: wenjie-yu@uiowa.edu
Phone: 319-335-3976