Demetrios Braddock, Associate Professor of Pathology, and his research team, will evaluate novel therapeutic biologics — drugs from living organisms — in treating severe COVID-19 infection in animal models. The success of these experiments may help alleviate the organ damage, renal failure, and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) experienced by severely infected COVID-19 patients.
Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, Braddock’s lab was developing biologics targeting Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs). NETs are produced by the immune system to trap and destroy pathogens, and have shown beneficial effects in clinical environments. However, overwhelming and uncontrolled NET formation may cause blood vessel clots, organ damage, and ARDS. Recently, NETs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19 infection.
As part of the Pathology COVID-19 research program, Braddock and his team are developing stable and bioavailable agents that efficiently degrade and/or prevent NETs. The researchers are evaluating the efficacy of their biologics on NET formation, blood clotting (thrombosis), organ ischemia, and death in mouse models with NET-induced ARDS, thrombosis, and acute kidney injury.