Translational Research in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Changwan "Wonnie" Ryu, MD, MPH, assistant professor in Yale School of Medicine’s Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, studies idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a disease in which unexplained lung scarring causes difficulty breathing. The condition is progressive and fatal.

Through his research, Ryu seeks to discover new therapies to treat patients with this incurable disease.

Recently, Ryu was selected for an American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) Council Young Physician-Scientist Award, which recognizes physician-scientists early in their first faculty appointment who have made notable achievements in their research.

In a Q&A, Ryu discusses the role of innate immunity in the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, his goal as a physician-scientist, and the inspiration behind his work.

I study the role of innate immunity—our fast-acting, nonspecific immune response—in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Our lab found that blood samples from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have markers suggestive of chronic innate immune activation. We’ve been testing different inhibitors of the innate immune system to discover new treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as well as to better understand the mechanisms that cause the disease.

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are in need of effective therapies. Symptoms of the disease include an unrelenting cough and progressive shortness of breath, and there aren’t treatments to help patients feel better. Current drug treatments can only slow the progression of the disease. The only effective therapy is lung transplantation, in which you trade one set of medical problems for another.

I am inspired by people with this condition, their bravery, resolve, and resilience in dealing with this disease. I want to do whatever I can to help them.

I study idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and take care of patients at the same time, with the goal of bringing the work we do in the lab back to patients. My patients are always asking about the newest research my mentor Erica Herzog, MD, PhD, section chief Naftali Kaminski, MD, and I are doing. They’re eager to learn the latest information about the disease.

As a physician-scientist, I am uniquely positioned to have my clinical experiences inform the work that I do in the lab—we can use our research to potentially change the health trajectory of a patient.

It’s encouraging to know that people outside of my institution recognize my work.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is rare, but fibrosis happens elsewhere. The award has inspired me to think about potential applications of our research beyond the lung to other organs, diseases, and scientific fields.

The award has also led me to think about the importance of mentorship. Dr. Herzog has guided me every step of the way, and I strive to do the same for the students I mentor. It’s all about inspiring the next generation of physicians and scientists.

The Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine is one of the eleven sections within Yale School of Medicine’s Department of Internal Medicine. To learn more, visit PCCSM's website, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.