Abstract 2096 “REACHING FOR THE STRAS”: RETINOID UPTAKE IN ACUTE LUNG INJURY

We are interested in understanding retinoid (vitamin A and its metabolites) metabolism and signaling in functionally heterogeneous and developmentally diverse adult lung cells. Our research has established that adult lung structural cells containing retinoids, including lipofibroblasts, alveolar epithelial and endothelial cells, predominantly rely on and take up lipoprotein-derived postprandial retinoids. These cells do not utilize a retinoid delivery pathway involving retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and its cell surface signaling receptor and transporter of retinol STRA6 that facilitates retinol (ROH) uptake from the RBP4-ROH complex.