Role of the Tissue Core Laboratory

The LTRC Tissue Core Laboratory (TCL) will coordinate the collection and distribution of specimens of lung that may be diagnostic of fibrotic and non-fibrotic lung disease, resulting from lung biopsies, lobectomies, transplant procedures and Lung Volume Reduction Surgeries (LVRS).

The role of the TCL is to:

1) Collect, process and store tissue and blood specimens sent to the TCL from the LTRC Clinical Centers and

2) Distribute the specimens to Investigators based on NHLBI approval.

The TCL is the repository for all tissue and blood specimens collected for the LTRC.  They will be responsible for maintaining records on tissue and blood sent to them by each Center. These specimens will be used in future, to-be-determined studies.

Overview of Tissue Specimen Collection

Tissue that is used in the diagnosis of COPD, ILD (mainly IPF/UIP) and other connective tissue disorders, and “control” tissues will be collected for long-term storage at the TCL.  [Tumor samples should not be submitted to the LTRC.] The LTRC will, however, collect the ‘non-tumorous’ portions of lung tissue from surgical procedures performed for primary or metastatic lung tumors. These control samples for the LTRC should be obtained as far, peripherally, from the tumor as possible (i.e. toward the pleura), maintaining an approximately 5 cm margin around the tumor. No portion of tumor should be submitted. These control tissues may also represent tissue associated with moderate COPD, and as such will be linked with the patient’s pulmonary function test to measure the level of obstruction in the lung. The LTRC will request only those tissues not used by the local pathologist for diagnosis.

There will be two clinical situations in which there is potential for tissue to be collected. These will include:

1. Prospective Biopsy: The participant is enrolled in the LTRC and the participant’s physician will take a biopsy of tissue.

2. Transplantation or Other Tissue Resection: The participant will undergo lung transplantation or other tissue resection.

The tissues will then be placed in a variety of fixatives or flash frozen for future analyses.  Click on the specimen type to learn more about the Blocks, Aliquots and Blood specimen available.