Elizabeth F. Redente, PhD

Special Interests

The Redente laboratory focuses on the development and resolution of pulmonary fibrosis. We use cutting edge genetic mouse models and clinical samples to answer our questions. Right now are focused on: 1) Fibroblast persistence and the role Bcl-2 and Bcl-2 family members play in mediating the persistence of pro-fibrotic fibroblasts with the ultimate goal of translating our research into viable therapeutics for people suffering with pulmonary fibrosis. 2) The role of collagen degradation during fibrosis resolution through the matrix metalloproteinase MMP-9. 3) The role of macrophage lipid mishandling as an initiator of lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis and 4) In collaboration with investigators at National Jewish and the University of Colorado we are investigating the role of Muc5B mis-expression and how this leads to altered epithelial cell and fibroblast communication to drive pulmonary fibrosis. The importance of understanding how macrophages and fibroblasts are shaping the lung environment during disease and how these interactions can be modulated to influence disease resolution is an important research direction that can be applied to many diseases including fibrosis and cancer. It is my goal that my basic science findings conducted in mouse models be translatable to human disease and into potential therapeutic treatments.

Education

Education

University of Colorado Denver, PhD

Publications

Redente EF. How Do We Know What We Are Missing? Loss of Signaling through CD148 Drives Fibroblast Activation in Pulmonary Fibrosis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2021 Aug 1;204(3):249-251. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202103-0737ED. PubMed PMID: 33891825; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8513589.

Guzy R, Redente EF. Kindlin for the Fire: Targeting Proline Synthesis to Extinguish Matrix Production in Pulmonary Fibrosis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2021 Jul;65(1):4-5. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2021-0137ED. PubMed PMID: 33844940; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8320124.

Academic Affiliations

Associate Professor of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine