OPROTAC Degraders of C/EBPα to Promote AT2 Regeneration and Lung Repair

This project aims to test whether a new type of molecule can help the lungs heal themselves after injury. These molecules, called OPROTACs, are designed to remove a specific protein. In this case, the protein C/EBPα that normally restricts the ability of lung cells to regenerate. The goal of this proposal is to determine whether these molecules can repair damaged lungs by helping specialized AT2 lung cells regain their regenerative abilities. Under healthy conditions, AT2 cells act like stem cells: they can divide and mature into AT1 cells, which are essential for breathing. However, during aging and disease, AT2 cells lose this capacity. By removing C/EBPα, the team hopes to “reprogram” AT2 cells and restore their ability to renew and repair tissue. If successful, this work could lead to new research tools and potentially new therapies that help the lungs repair themselves.