He has received a three-year Established Investigator Award to further his study of the role of urotensin, a growth-promoting neuropeptide, in the tumors that arise in LAM. His work is based on the observation that urotensin-II and its receptor are increased in the LAM nodules that cause progressive destruction of the lung. The main goal of this work is to understand the effect of urotensin-II on the growth and destructive properties of cells lacking the TSC2 gene. Dr. Kristof will also test whether a drug that blocks urotensin-II activity prevents the appearance of cells lacking the TSC2 gene in the lungs of mice. Targeting the urotensin receptor may prevent the progression of disease in patients with LAM. Funding for this project is jointly provided by The LAM Foundation and the LAM Canada Fund at Tides Canada.