Cutting edge research for novel therapies of heart and lung diseases.

Thromb Haemost 2009; 101: 610–612 The contributions collected in this issue of Thrombosis and Haemostasis stem from invited lectures of the first international symposium of the excellence cluster “CardioPulmonary System” (ECCPS), held in 2008 in Bad Nauheim, Germany. Founded in 2006, the ECCPS constitutes an outstanding regional biomedical research network and is based on a firmly established and internationally renowned expertise in cardio-pulmonary research of the Universities of Giessen and Frankfurt and the Max-Planck-Institute in Bad Nauheim. The interdisciplinary work of this “research triangle” is focused on basic research as well as the treatment of heart and lung diseases, which in this combination of direct translation of scientific results into new therapeutic concepts appears to be unique on the international level. Against the background of heart and lung diseases being the leading causes of death and representing the highest socio-economic burden of diseases worldwide, the work of the ECCPS assumes social as well as political importance. With the objective of combining basic research with clinical practice, the ECCPS supports the integration of different research areas from developmental biology to molecular biology and cellular physiology. The following research areas involving various disciplines are addressed in a concerted effort of all ECCPS locations using high calibre technologies in vitro and in vivo: (a) Role of stem/progenitor cells in development and repair of the cardiopulmonary system; employment of stem cells for new treatment strategies. (b) Tailoring of anti-and reverse remodeling strategies for restoration of vascular structural and lung functional integrity. (c) Deciphering of key molecular/cellular players in heart and lung vessel generation and alveolar morphogenesis, identification of targets for the induction of angioand alveogenesis. (d) Decoding pathogenetic pathways involved in lung and heart fibrogenesis, development of new strategies for inhibition and reversal of excessive matrix deposition. (e) Analysis of hypoxia-, ischaemiaand reactive oxygen species-linked pathologies in heart and lung disease; design of specific intervention strategies. (f) Protection and restoration of endoand epithelial barrier properties in the cardio-pulmonary system, including control of inflammation and maintenance of host defense. (g) Molecular pathogenesis of the vascular abnormalities in metabolic syndrome. (h) Elucidation of the molecular changes underlying aging of the cardio-pulmonary system. (i) Employment of transcriptome-, proteome and in-vivo molecular imaging-based signature analysis towards the individualization of therapy in cardio-pulmonary diseases. Research in these areas is strongly supported by focusing on techniques and technology development, translation of basic science into clinical studies and commercial exploitation and education as well as training fellowships. Among these activities the first international ECCPS symposium was organised in 2008 to foster fruitful exchange between all members of the consortium and outside experts as well as to advance junior researchers and promote collaborative research projects.