Larry Lands

Position
Director, Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Montreal Children’s Hospital
Professor, Department of Pediatrics, McGill University
Associate Member, McGill School of Dietetics & Human Nutrition, McGill University

Research Interests

Our translational research lab is focused on immune modulation in Cystic Fibrosis and severe asthma. We study primary respiratory epithelial cells from nasal and airway brushings and macrophages from bronchiolar lavage and derived from peripheral blood monocytes. Our current work in Cystic Fibrosis investigates the response to rhinovirus, the cause of the common cold. While patients with Cystic Fibrosis do not catch more colds, these infections frequently result in a worsening of symptoms that can lead to hospitalization. We are currently examining why this occurs in Cystic Fibrosis, and how to stimulate innate antiviral responses to prevent these exacerbations.

Patients with asthma also are frequently worse when they catch a cold, and again we are examining the response of asthmatic patients to rhinovirus and antiviral strategies. We are also investigating the basis for patients with severe asthma to be resistant to corticosteroids and the potential of vitamin D to reduce inflammation. Vitamin D studies to reduce inflammation are also ongoing in Cystic Fibrosis.

Other clinical research involves pulmonary function, exhaled breath condensate, and exercise studies in children with chronic respiratory disease including Cystic Fibrosis, asthma, and Sickle Cell Disease.

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