IRESOLUTION · The role of Western lifestyle factors in smoke-induced inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Over the past century a substantial increase in the incidence of chronic inflammatory diseases has been observed in industrialized countries. This unexpected rise in diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and inflammatory bowel disease has led to concern about how Western lifestyle may negatively influence our (anti-)inflammatory defense mechanisms. Inflammation is a process that needs to be actively terminated with help of anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving mediators. Several of these mediators are derived from molecules in our environment such as sunlight and nutrition. Accumulating evidence now suggests that Western lifestyle results in a lack of sufficient exposure to sunlight and insufficient intake of particular nutrients due to our diet, resulting in a reduced availability of essential anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving mediators in the body. The work described in this proposal aims to map the role of anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving mediators in smoke-induced inflammation in COPD. The outcomes of this study are expected to contribute to a better understanding of the resolution phase of inflammation and result in the identification of novel therapeutic targets that are applicable for COPD and possibly more inflammatory diseases. Obtaining new insights in the mechanisms underlying resolution of inflammation is of utmost importance to provide a foundation to curb the rise in inflammatory diseases.