UTEP Pharmacy researchers develop nanoparticle treatment for skin and lung fibrosis

Researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso and Baylor College of Medicine are developing a new therapeutic approach that uses nanoparticles for the treatment of skin and lung fibrosis. Fibrosis is a condition in which the tissues in an organ become thicker and stiffer. For example, in the case of an autoimmune condition, the body kills cells called fibroblasts that help form connective tissue. The body then produces more collagen than it needs, which leads to fibrosis. The researchers focused on designing a nanoparticle that could modify the cells that are responsible for fibrosis development and progression so they no longer produce excess collagen.