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THE CouxcrL FOR ToBacco RES~&xcH-U.S.A., INC. Oct. 13, 1983 Dr. S.C. Sammers and Staff D.H: ForO, ard; D:' Storcie, SITE VISITORS: Drs.; R: Bingt ~.z Feldman,,..: D.. Forcl• ard° D: Sk,orce RE: Site visit with Do 'C- XC-:w%jFlft City of Hope National Medical Center, Du.arte', CA Sept. 19, 1983 GRANT NO. 1580 entitled "Ceruloplasmin abnormality in chronic ob- structive pulmonary disease." Dr. Taylor appears as a bright enthusiastic young investigator, who, although he has only just started receiving CTR support on July 1, 1983, already has a paper forthcoming on the technology he will be using in his study. This paper acknowledges CTR support in the project, although ob- viously the development of his methodology antedates our actual support. The methods are, however, those he will be using to determine if patients with obstructive lung disease have an altered form of ceruloplasmin in their lung lavage fluids. Dr. Taylor briefly reviewed the steps he has taken since July to initiate the CTR„supported program (see research aims in proposal). His interests . ,;., . . ~°dea~ w3t1i d;e"role' played byKriatural4'antioxidants}.preser&~:i.n4pl:asna,.aracl-tisst~_ gtat air. Cesuloplasmin *.,1n~spmtectingc(J-E1:,frocn oxidarlt*-,inkxespired envi=rnnrx is such antioxidant, which, he believes, may be altered in patients who de- velop emphysema so that it no longer protectsell-AP against oxidants carried in the respired environme.nt. Thus, he will be searching for structural changes in the BAL eezuloplasmin protein which might be indicative of a loss of ac- tivity of this natural tissue antioxidant. This might then permit inacti- vation of•(1-AP through oxidation of the methionine residue and eventually lead to emphysema. This program appears to be catplimentary to those of Travis and Weinbaum in the emphysema field. It may provide additional information concerning the normal manner in which the body protects itself from oxidants, which, in the case of emphysema may relate to protection of q(l-AP to permit it to inactive proteases fran digesting elastin and thus produce emphysema. It is too early as yet to judge this program, but with the enthusiasm and expertise denronstrated by Dr. Taylor, it could develop into a most ex- citing study in our supported pulmonary research area. S. Ford/ D. Stone DF/DS/mla