Primary ciliary dyskinesia: current state of the art

Regulation of ciliary beat frequency by the nitric oxide signaling pathway in mouse nasal and tracheal epithelial cells

OBJECTIVES

Our purpose was to investigate the role of the nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathway in the regulation of ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in mouse nasal and tracheal epithelial cells.

METHODS

We studied the effects of the NO donor l-arginine (L-Arg) and specific inhibitors of the NO signaling pathway on CBF of both nasal and tracheal epithelial cells by using high-speed digital microscopy. We also examined eNOS, sGC β, PKG I and acetylated α tubulin expression in native mouse nasal and tracheal epithelium using immunohistochemical methods.

RESULTS

L-Arg significantly increased CBF of cultured nasal and tracheal epithelial cells, and the effects were blocked by pretreatment with N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a NOS inhibitor, with LY-83583, a sGC inhibitor, or with KT-5823, a PKG inhibitor. Positive immunostaining for NO signaling molecules including eNOS, sGC β and PKG I was observed in either nasal or tracheal ciliated epithelium.

CONCLUSION

NO plays a role in regulating CBF of mouse respiratory epithelial cells via a eNOS-NO-sGC β-cGMP-PKG I pathway.

Expression of nitric oxide synthases in primary ciliary dyskinesia

Nitric oxide is believed to play a central role in nonspecific defense of upper airways. Patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia have very low concentration of nasal nitric oxide, which may contribute to the chronic upper airway diseases encountered by these patients. The mechanisms underlying this drop of nasal nitric oxide in primary ciliary dyskinesia are still unknown. The goal of the present work was to study nitric oxide synthases expression in upper airway tissues from patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia. For this purpose, 5 patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia and 10 nonallergic age-matched patients without primary ciliary dyskinesia undergoing nasal polypectomy were included. Nasal nitric oxide concentration was measured before polypectomy, and nitric oxide synthase expression and function were studied in nasal polyps. The nasal nitric oxide in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia was lower than that in patients without primary ciliary dyskinesia (13 [9-16] ppb versus 210 [167-254] ppb, P < .0001). Nitric oxide synthase 2 immunostaining was prominent at the apical part of the ciliated epithelial cells and was similar in both groups. Nitric oxide synthase 3 staining was restricted to endothelial cells in both groups. In addition, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-diaphorase activity was superimposable to nitric oxide synthases 2 and 3 immunostaining, suggesting a preserved NADPH-activity of nitric oxide synthase. We therefore conclude that the drop in nasal nitric oxide in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia is not secondary to the loss of nitric oxide synthase expression.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia caused by homozygous mutation in DNAL1, encoding dynein light chain 1

In primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), genetic defects affecting motility of cilia and flagella cause chronic destructive airway disease, randomization of left-right body asymmetry, and, frequently, male infertility. The most frequent defects involve outer and inner dynein arms (ODAs and IDAs) that are large multiprotein complexes responsible for cilia-beat generation and regulation, respectively. Although it has long been suspected that mutations in DNAL1 encoding the ODA light chain1 might cause PCD such mutations were not found. We demonstrate here that a homozygous point mutation in this gene is associated with PCD with absent or markedly shortened ODA. The mutation (NM_031427.3: c.449A>G; p.Asn150Ser) changes the Asn at position150, which is critical for the proper tight turn between the β strand and the α helix of the leucine-rich repeat in the hydrophobic face that connects to the dynein heavy chain. The mutation reduces the stability of the axonemal dynein light chain 1 and damages its interactions with dynein heavy chain and with tubulin. This study adds another important component to understanding the types of mutations that cause PCD and provides clinical information regarding a specific mutation in a gene not yet known to be associated with PCD.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia: evaluation using cilia beat frequency assessment via spectral analysis of digital microscopy images

Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) measurements provide valuable information for diagnosing of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). We developed a system for measuring CBF, used it in association with electron microscopy to diagnose PCD, and then analyzed characteristics of PCD patients. The CBF measurement system was based on power spectra measured through digital imaging. Twenty-four patients suspected of having PCD (age 1-19 yr) were selected from a group of 75 children and adolescents with pneumopathies of unknown causes. Ten healthy, nonsmoking volunteers (age ≥ 17 yr) served as a control group. Nasal brush samples were collected, and CBF and electron microscopy were performed. PCD was diagnosed in 12 patients: 5 had radial spoke defects, 3 showed absent central microtubule pairs with transposition, 2 had outer dynein arm defects, 1 had a shortened outer dynein arm, and 1 had a normal ultrastructure. Previous studies have reported that the most common cilia defects are in the dynein arm. As expected, the mean CBF was higher in the control group (P < 0.001) and patients with normal ultrastructure (P < 0.002), than in those diagnosed with cilia ultrastructural defects (i.e., PCD patients). An obstructive ventilatory pattern was observed in 70% of the PCD patients who underwent pulmonary function tests. All PCD patients presented bronchial wall thickening on chest computed tomography scans. The protocol and diagnostic techniques employed allowed us to diagnose PCD in 16% of patients in this study.

Perioperative anesthetic management of a patient with biliary atresia, situs inversus totalis, and kartegener syndrome for hepatobiliary surgery

Patients with genetic disorders associated with multiple congenital anomalies present unique challenges to the anesthesiologist. We report the successful perioperative management of a child with biliary atresia, situs inversus totalis, and Kartegener syndrome scheduled for corrective biliary surgery. We recommend that patients with multiple congenital anomalies need to be thoroughly and cautiously evaluated. The perioperative management should be individualized based on associated anomalies along with appropriate monitoring.

The management of pre-school wheeze

Wheeze, a common symptom in pre-school children, is a continuous high-pitched sound, with a musical quality, emitting from the chest during expiration. A pragmatic clinical classification is episodic (viral) wheeze and multiple-trigger wheeze. Diagnostic difficulties include other conditions that give rise to noisy breathing which could be misinterpreted as wheeze. Most preschool children with wheeze do not need rigorous investigations. Primary prevention is not possible but avoidance of environmental tobacco smoke exposure should be strongly encouraged. Bronchodilators provide symptomatic relief in acute wheezy episodes but the evidence for using oral steroids is conflicting for children presenting to the Emergency Department [ED]. Parent initiated oral steroid courses cannot be recommended. High dose inhaled corticosteroids [ICS] used intermittently are effective in children with frequent episodes of moderately severe episodic (viral) wheeze or multiple-trigger wheeze, but this associated with short term effects on growth and cannot be recommended as a routine. Maintenance treatment with low to moderate continuous ICS in pure episodic (viral) wheeze is ineffective. Whilst low to moderate dose regular ICS work in multi-trigger wheeze, the medication does not modify the natural history of the condition. Even if there is a successful trial of treatment with ICS, a break in treatment should be given to see if the symptoms have resolved or continuous therapy is still required. Maintenance as well as intermittent Montelukast has a role in both episodic and multi trigger wheeze. Good multidisciplinary support and education is essential in managing this common condition.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia: Kartagener syndrome with central giant cell granuloma. A case report

This paper describes a clinical case of both giant cell granuloma and Kartagener syndrome in a 15-year-old male patient, with emphasis on the radiographic aspects of this extremely unusual pathology. To our knowledge, the presence of these 2 rare clinical conditions in the same patient has not been previously reported.

Skeletal muscle metabolism in cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia

Previous studies have reported differences in muscle function and metabolism between patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and healthy controls (HC), but it is currently unknown whether these abnormalities are specific to CF or also seen in other airway diseases. In this study, we used magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) during exercise to assess muscle metabolism in CF patients. Twenty patients with CF and 20 age, gender, and habitual activity-matched HCs and a respiratory disease comparison group with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD; n = 10) were studied. Phosphorus MRS (P-MRS) was used to characterize muscle bioenergetic metabolism at rest and after high-, moderate-, and low-intensity exercise. CF patients exhibited lower resting ATP/phosphocreatine (PCr) ratio and significantly higher end-exercise pH values compared with both HC and PCD patients. Both CF and PCD patients demonstrated significantly slower PCr recovery time constants after high-intensity exercise. Our results suggest that not only there are specific abnormalities of muscle metabolism in CF patients but also there is a nonspecific impact of respiratory disease on muscle function.

In vitro culturing of ciliary respiratory cells--a model for studies of genetic diseases

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic disorder caused by the impaired functioning of ciliated cells. Its diagnosis is based on the analysis of the structure and functioning of cilia present in the respiratory epithelium (RE) of the patient. Abnormalities of cilia caused by hereditary mutations closely resemble and often overlap with defects induced by the environmental factors. As a result, proper diagnosis of PCD is difficult and may require repeated sampling of patients' tissue, which is not always possible. The culturing of differentiated cells and tissues derived from the human RE seems to be the best way to diagnose PCD, to study genotype-phenotype relations of genes involved in ciliary dysfunction, as well as other aspects related to the functioning of the RE. In this review, different methods of culturing differentiated cells and tissues derived from the human RE, along with their potential and limitations, are summarized. Several considerations with respect to the factors influencing the process of in vitro differentiation (cell-to-cell interactions, medium composition, cell-support substrate) are also discussed.

Cilia motility and structure in primary and secondary ciliary dyskinesia

BACKGROUND

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a clinically uniform entity, although cilia motility and structure can vary among patients, making diagnosis difficult. Chronic sinusitis, bronchiectasis, sinus hypoplasia, secretory otitis media, and low fertility are common in PCD patients. The aim of this work was to correlate nasal ciliary activity with clinical and structural abnormalities in PCD. A secondary aim was to evaluate the usefulness of high-resolution digital high-speed video (DHSV) in the diagnosis of PCD.

METHODS

We analyzed nasal mucociliary transport and cilia ultrastructure by electron microscopy and studied nasal ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and beat pattern using high-resolution DHSV imaging in 34 healthy volunteers, 25 individuals with PCD (including 11 with Kartagener's syndrome [KS]with situs inversus), and 27 with secondary ciliary dyskinesia (SCD).

RESULTS

Nasal mucociliary transport was defective in the PCD and SCD patients. Ciliary immotility was observed in only six KS patients and was correlated with the absence of dynein. We observed a correlation between partial dynein deficiency and an uncoordinated, stiffly vibrating ciliary beat. Cilia activity and structure were normal in the SCD patients.

CONCLUSION

Nasal mucociliary transport showed a sensitivity of 100% for the diagnosis of PCD but has low specificity. High-resolution DHSV imaging has high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of PCD. Video analysis is probably more useful than the study of mucociliary transport and cilia ultrastructure in screening for PCD. The absence of dynein was correlated with ciliary immotility and was more common in KS patients.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa: host defence in lung diseases

Lung infections caused by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa can present as a spectrum of clinical entities from a rapidly fatal pneumonia in a neutropenic patient to a multi-decade bronchitis in patients with cystic fibrosis. P. aeruginosa is ubiquitous in our environment, and one of the most versatile pathogens studied, capable of infecting a number of diverse life forms and surviving harsh environmental factors. It is also able to quickly adapt to new environments, including the lung, where it orchestrates virulence factors to acquire necessary nutrients, and if necessary, turn them off to prevent immune recognition. Despite these capabilities, P. aeruginosa rarely infects healthy human lungs. This is secondary to a highly evolved host defence mechanism that efficiently removes inhaled or aspirated pseudomonads. Many arms of the respiratory host defence have been elucidated using P. aeruginosa as a model pathogen. Human infections with P. aeruginosa have demonstrated the importance of the mechanical barrier functions including mucus clearance, and the innate immune system, including the critical role of the neutrophilic response. As more models of persistent or biofilm P. aeruginosa infections are developed, the role of the adaptive immune response will likely become more evident. Understanding the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa, and the respiratory host defence response to it has, and will continue to, lead to novel therapeutic strategies to help patients.

Characteristics of chloride transport in nasal mucosa from patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is an inherited disorder that produces lifelong difficulties with chronic airway inflammation. Little is known about the role of chronic airway inflammation on chloride ion transport properties in PCD. This study assessed the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-regulated chloride (Cl) ion transport properties of freshly excised nasal mucosa from PCD compared with normal and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

STUDY DESIGN

Electrophysiology study utilizing Ussing type hemi-chamber technique with three different types of nasal tissue (normal, CRS, PCD) obtained from patients during endoscopic surgery at a tertiary referral center.

METHODS

Nasal tissues were examined under short-circuit conditions, and gradient-driven Cl currents were continuously recorded. The cAMP elevating agonist (forskolin) was added to stimulate cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-mediated Cl secretion. To prevent misinterpretation of flux measurement, Cl transport inhibitors were used at the end of all experiments. Basal Cl currents (I(Cl)) and changes in I(Cl) to forskolin (DeltaI(Cl)) were compared between normal, CRS, and PCD nasal tissues.

RESULTS

Forskolin stimulated Cl currents across all different types of nasal epithelia. The Cl secretory response was effectively blocked by the Cl ion transport inhibitors. I(Cl) were significantly higher in normals (155.0 +/- 9.3 microA/cm(2)) compared to CRS (79.1 +/- 15.0 microA/cm(2)) and PCD (70.9 +/- 20.4 microA/cm(2)) (P = .005). DeltaI(Cl) in CRS (14.8 +/- 2.3 microA/cm(2)) and PCD (12.2 +/- 2.4 microA/cm(2)) were markedly diminished compared to normals (28.3 +/- 4.7 microA/cm(2)) (P = .024).

CONCLUSIONS

PCD tissues were characterized by impaired I(Cl) and DeltaI(Cl). Both parameters were reduced by 54.3% and 56.9% in PCD when compared to normals.

ENT manifestations in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia: prevalence and significance of otorhinolaryngologic co-morbidities

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare inherited disease with a prevalence of about 1:20,000. The underlying pathogenesis is disrupted ciliary function, which results in delayed mucus transportation leading to chronic inflammation, mainly in the upper and lower respiratory tract. Although the pathogenesis of the disease and its clinical presentation is somewhat understood, data regarding the prevalence of accompanying symptoms is limited, especially in the field of otorhinolaryngology. A total of 44 patients diagnosed with PCD answered a questionnaire regarding the diagnosis and clinical presentation of the disease, their medical history and clinical manifestations, and medical treatment in the field of otorhinolaryngology. The majority of participants (70%) had seen a physician more than 50 times before the diagnosis was made at an average age of 10.9 ± 14.4 years. As much as 59% of all patients had recurring problems at the paranasal sinuses and 69% of these patients needed corresponding surgical intervention. Even more patients (81%) suffered from recurring otitis media and, as a result, 78% of these patients underwent paracentesis with temporary tympanostomy tubes at least once at an average age of 9.5 ± 13.0 years. Otorhinolaryngologic symptoms, especially chronic otitis media and chronic rhinosinusitis, are frequently associated with PCD. Surgical intervention to treat these symptoms is common. The awareness of this disease should be raised, especially among ENT physicians, and surgical intervention should be indicated carefully.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia in Amish communities

Primary ciliary dyskinesia is an autosomal recessive multigenic disease that results in impaired mucociliary clearance. We have diagnosed 9 subjects with primary ciliary dyskinesia from geographically dispersed Amish communities, on the basis of clinical characteristics and ciliary ultrastructural defects. Despite consanguinity, affected individuals had evidence of genetic heterogeneity.

Tubulin tyrosine ligase-like 1 deficiency results in chronic rhinosinusitis and abnormal development of spermatid flagella in mice

Tubulin tyrosine ligase-like 1 (TTLL1) protein is a member of the tubulin tyrosine ligase superfamily of proteins that are involved in the posttranslational polyglutamylation of tubulin in axonemal microtubules within cilia and flagella. To investigate the physiological role of TTLL1, the authors generated mice with a gene trap mutation in the Ttll1 gene that provide confirmation in a mammalian model that polyglutamylation plays an important role in some ciliary and flagellar functions. For the first time, mice homozygous for the Ttll1 mutation exhibited accumulations of exudates in the nasal passages and sinuses, rhinosinusitis, otitis media, and male infertility. In homozygous mutant male mice, abnormal sperm morphology and function were characterized by shortened or absent flagella and immotility. Although homozygous mutant males were infertile, the females were fertile. These findings are consistent with a diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) resulting from ciliary dysfunction. They indicate that Ttll1 is essential for normal motility of respiratory cilia and the biogenesis and function of sperm flagella but that the defect does not result in the hydrocephalus or laterality defects often seen in other forms of PCD. The absence of early-onset lethal hydrocephalus in Ttll1-mutant mice may enable studies to evaluate the long-term effects of PCD in the respiratory system of mice. Although no mutations in the orthologous gene have been linked with PCD in humans, investigating the role of TTLL1 and polyglutamylation of tubulin in cilia and flagella should advance an understanding of the biogenesis and function of these organelles in mammals and have potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

[Value of nasal nitric oxide in the diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to report nasal nitric oxide (nNO) values in children with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and to compare them with nNO values in healthy children, asthmatic children, children with cystic fibrosis and children with post infectious bronchiectasis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We determined nNO values in 9 children with PCD, 36 asthmatic children, 31 children with cystic fibrosis, 8 children with post infectious bronchiectasis and 37 healthy children. We compared nNO values between these different conditions and calculated sensitivity and specificity of nNO to diagnose PCD.

RESULTS

All children with PCD - except one (nNO 348 ppb) - had nNO values below 112 ppb, mean 88 ppb (95%CI 9.6-166). The nNO mean was 898 ppb (95%CI 801-995) in healthy children, 1023 ppb (95%CI 911-1137) in asthmatic children, 438 ppb (95%CI 367-508) in cystic fibrosis children and 361 ppb (95%CI 252-470) in children with post infectious bronchiectasis. The mean concentration of nNO was lower (P<0.05) in PCD patients, compared to the other groups. The measurement of nasal NO in our study population showed, at a cut-off level of < or =112 ppb, a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 99.1% in the diagnosis of PCD [ROC 0.98 (95%CI 0.94-0.99); P<0.0001; probability ratio 95.1].

CONCLUSIONS

The measurement of nasal NO appears to be a useful tool for screening children for PCD, in which a cut-off level of < or =112 ppb suggests the disease, although nNO above 112 ppb does not exclude PCD.

[Primary ciliary dyskinesia (Pcd) in Austria]

INTRODUCTION

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare hereditary recessive disease with symptoms of recurrent pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, and chronic sinusitis. Chronic rhinitis is often the presenting symptom in newborns and infants. Approximately half of the patients show visceral mirror image arrangements (situs inversus). In this study, we aimed 1) to determine the number of paediatric PCD patients in Austria, 2) to show the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities used in the clinical centres and 3) to describe symptoms of children with PCD.

PATIENTS, MATERIAL AND METHODS

For the first two aims, we analysed data from a questionnaire survey of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) task force on Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia in children. All paediatric respiratory units in Austria received a questionnaire. Symptoms of PCD patients from Vienna Children's University Hospital (aim 3) were extracted from case histories.

RESULTS

In 13 Austrian clinics 48 patients with PCD (36 aged from 0-19 years) were identified. The prevalence of reported cases (aged 0-19 yrs) in Austria was 1:48000. Median age at diagnosis was 4.8 years (IQR 0.3-8.2), lower in children with situs inversus compared to those without (3.1 vs. 8.1 yrs, p = 0.067). In 2005-2006, the saccharine test was still the most commonly used screening test for PCD in Austria (45%). Confirmation of the diagnosis was usually by electron microscopy (73%). All clinics treated exacerbations immediately with antibiotics, 73% prescribed airway clearance therapy routinely to all patients. Other therapies and diagnostic tests were applied very inconsistently across Austrian hospitals. All PCD patients from Vienna (n = 13) had increased upper and lower respiratory secretions, most had recurring airway infections (n = 12), bronchiectasis (n = 7) and bronchitis (n = 7).

CONCLUSION

Diagnosis and therapy of PCD in Austria are inhomogeneous. Prospective studies are needed to learn more about the course of the disease and to evaluate benefits and harms of different treatment strategies.

Diseases mimicking allergic rhinitis

Although allergic rhinitis is the commonest diagnosis in the child with nasal obstruction and rhinorrhoea, the differential must include other, much rarer, conditions. We present three case histories and discussion of several other diagnoses which should be considered.

Founder mutation(s) in the RSPH9 gene leading to primary ciliary dyskinesia in two inbred Bedouin families

A rare mutation in the RSPH9 gene leading to primary ciliary dyskinesia was previously identified in two Bedouin families, one from Israel and one from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Herein we analyse mutation segregation in the Israeli family, present the clinical disease spectrum, and estimate mutation age in the two families. Mutation segregation was studied by restriction fragment length analysis. Mutation ages were estimated using a model of the decrease in the length of ancestral haplotypes. The mutations in each of the two families had a common ancestor less than 95 and less than 17 generations in the past. If the mutations in the two families are descended from a common ancestor, that mutation would have to have arisen at least 150 generations ago. If the Bedouin population has been roughly constant in size for at least 6000 years, it is possible that the mutations in the two families are identical by descent. If there were substantial fluctuations in the size of the Bedouin population, it is more likely that there were two independent mutations. Based on the available data, the population genetic analysis does not strongly favour one conclusion over the other.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia that responded to long-term, low-dose clarithromycin

A 46-year-old man was referred to our hospital with hemoptysis. He had been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis since childhood, but had received no treatment. Chest CT showed a diffuse centrilobular granular shadow and thickened bronchial walls. Otitis media and decreased spermatic motor ability were identified. In addition, electron microscopy of a biopsy specimen of the nasal mucosa showed a deficiency of inner dynein. Based on these clinical findings, primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) was diagnosed and successfully treated with long-term, low-dose clarithromycin. Although the effects of macrolide therapy remain controversial, long-term treatment with low-dose clarithromycin might confer clinical benefits upon patients with PCD.

Survival Time of Nasal Mucous Membrane Ciliated Cells: A Preliminary Study of Cytological Examination by Phase-Contrast Microscopy

The observation of the ciliated cell dynamics by phase-contrast microscope has allowed a profound study of some parameters of the cellular components. The aim of this preliminary study is to assess the surviving time of ciliary cells using the phase-contrast microscope. Nasal cytology was carried out on 50 healthy volunteers. The ciliary beat time was assessed by a video-camera connected with a PC. The time of ciliary beat persistence was extraordinarily long (mean 210 minutes, with range 74–1260). The ciliary activity remained valid as rhythm, synchronism and metachronality. In conclusion, this preliminary study demonstrated that cilia has an energetic autonomy of great importance, able to allow a valid functional activity also in the case of partial sufferance of the cellular unit.

The pathophysiology of bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is defined by permanent and abnormal widening of the bronchi. This process occurs in the context of chronic airway infection and inflammation. It is usually diagnosed using computed tomography scanning to visualize the larger bronchi. Bronchiectasis is also characterized by mild to moderate airflow obstruction. This review will describe the pathophysiology of noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Studies have demonstrated that the small airways in bronchiectasis are obstructed from an inflammatory infiltrate in the wall. As most of the bronchial tree is composed of small airways, the net effect is obstruction. The bronchial wall is typically thickened by an inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes and macrophages which may form lymphoid follicles. It has recently been demonstrated that patients with bronchiectasis have a progressive decline in lung function. There are a large number of etiologic risk factors associated with bronchiectasis. As there is generally a long-term retrospective history, it may be difficult to determine the exact role of such factors in the pathogenesis. Extremes of age and smoking/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may be important considerations. There are a variety of different pathogens involved in bronchiectasis, but a common finding despite the presence of purulent sputum is failure to identify any pathogenic microorganisms. The bacterial flora appears to change with progression of disease.

Automated software for analysis of ciliary beat frequency and metachronal wave orientation in primary ciliary dyskinesia

Patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) have structural and/or functional alterations of cilia that imply deficits in mucociliary clearance and different respiratory pathologies. A useful indicator for the difficult diagnosis is the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) that is significantly lower in pathological cases than in physiological ones. The CBF computation is not rapid, therefore, the aim of this study is to propose an automated method to evaluate it directly from videos of ciliated cells. The cells are taken from inferior nasal turbinates and videos of ciliary movements are registered and eventually processed by the developed software. The software consists in the extraction of features from videos (written with C++ language) and the computation of the frequency (written with Matlab language). This system was tested both on the samples of nasal cavity and software models, and the results were really promising because in a few seconds, it can compute a reliable frequency if compared with that measured with visual methods. It is to be noticed that the reliability of the computation increases with the quality of acquisition system and especially with the sampling frequency. It is concluded that the developed software could be a useful mean for PCD diagnosis.

Activation of adenosine A2B receptors enhances ciliary beat frequency in mouse lateral ventricle ependymal cells

BACKGROUND

Ependymal cells form a protective monolayer between the brain parenchyma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). They possess motile cilia important for directing the flow of CSF through the ventricular system. While ciliary beat frequency in airway epithelia has been extensively studied, fewer reports have looked at the mechanisms involved in regulating ciliary beat frequency in ependyma. Prior studies have demonstrated that ependymal cells express at least one purinergic receptor (P2X7). An understanding of the full range of purinergic receptors expressed by ependymal cells, however, is not yet complete. The objective of this study was to identify purinergic receptors which may be involved in regulating ciliary beat frequency in lateral ventricle ependymal cells.

METHODS

High-speed video analysis of ciliary movement in the presence and absence of purinergic agents was performed using differential interference contrast microscopy in slices of mouse brain (total number of animals = 67). Receptor identification by this pharmacological approach was corroborated by immunocytochemistry, calcium imaging experiments, and the use of two separate lines of knockout mice.

RESULTS

Ciliary beat frequency was enhanced by application of a commonly used P2X7 agonist. Subsequent experiments, however, demonstrated that this enhancement was observed in both P2X7+/+ and P2X7-/- mice and was reduced by pre-incubation with an ecto-5'-nucleotidase inhibitor. This suggested that enhancement was primarily due to a metabolic breakdown product acting on another purinergic receptor subtype. Further studies revealed that ciliary beat frequency enhancement was also induced by adenosine receptor agonists, and pharmacological studies revealed that ciliary beat frequency enhancement was primarily due to A2B receptor activation. A2B expression by ependymal cells was subsequently confirmed using A2B-/-/beta-galactosidase reporter gene knock-in mice.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that A2B receptor activation enhances ciliary beat frequency in lateral ventricle ependymal cells. Ependymal cell ciliary beat frequency regulation may play an important role in cerebral fluid balance and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics.

Lung disease assessment in primary ciliary dyskinesia: a comparison between chest high-field magnetic resonance imaging and high-resolution computed tomography findings

Background

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is associated with pulmonary involvement that requires periodical assessment. Chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) has become the method of choice to evaluate chronic lung disease, but entails exposure to ionizing radiation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been proposed as a potential radiation-free technique in several chest disorders. Aim of our study is to evaluate whether high-field MRI is as effective as HRCT in identifying PCD pulmonary abnormalities. We also analyzed the relationships between the severity and extension of lung disease, and functional data.

Methods

Thirteen PCD patients (8 children/5 adults; median age, 15.2 yrs) underwent chest HRCT and high-field 3T MRI, spirometry, and deep throat or sputum culture. Images were scored using a modified version of the Helbich system.

Results

HRCT and MRI total scores were 12 (range, 6–20) and 12 (range, 5–17), respectively. Agreement between HRCT and MRI scores was good or excellent (r > 0.8). HRCT and MRI total scores were significantly related to forced vital capacity (r = -0.5, p = 0.05; and r = -0.7, p = 0.009, respectively) and forced expiratory volume at 1 second (r = -0.6, p = 0.03; and r = -0.7, p = 0.009, respectively).

Conclusion

Chest high-field 3T MRI appears to be as effective as HRCT in assessing the extent and severity of lung abnormalities in PCD. MRI scores might be used for longitudinal assessment and be an outcome surrogate in future studies.

Exhaled nitric oxide and other major exhaled compounds for the diagnosis of metabolic diseases

BACKGROUND

Many metabolic diseases including obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes share common pathogenetic pathways, which may involve chronic oxidative stress and inflammation. There is increasing evidence that assessment of biomarkers on exhaled gases or exhaled breath condensate may serve as a non-invasive tool to detect abnormalities in metabolic diseases mirroring increased in oxidative stress, systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.

METHODS

Among commonly used exhaled biomarkers, nitric oxide (NO) on exhaled air and some constituents of exhaled breath condensate in volatile or non-volatile form may represent suitable markers. Nasal, bronchial and alveolar NO could be analyzed separately, with implications in the assessment of systemic disease and endothelial dysfunction. Moreover, the profiles of several exhaled gases have a place in phenotyping diabetic patients and their risk of complications. Accordingly, metabolomics of the airway fluid using exhaled breath condensate has recently confirmed the value of this biological matrix for the evaluation of both volatile and non-volatile biomarkers.

CONCLUSION

Normative studies for reference values are, however, lacking, and the influence of preanalytical variables on the methodology warrants further studies.

Clinical and genetic aspects of primary ciliary dyskinesia/Kartagener syndrome

Primary ciliary dyskinesia is a genetically heterogeneous disorder of motile cilia. Most of the disease-causing mutations identified to date involve the heavy (dynein axonemal heavy chain 5) or intermediate(dynein axonemal intermediate chain 1) chain dynein genes in ciliary outer dynein arms, although a few mutations have been noted in other genes. Clinical molecular genetic testing for primary ciliary dyskinesia is available for the most common mutations. The respiratory manifestations of primary ciliary dyskinesia (chronic bronchitis leading to bronchiectasis, chronic rhino-sinusitis, and chronic otitis media)reflect impaired mucociliary clearance owing to defective axonemal structure. Ciliary ultrastructural analysis in most patients (>80%) reveals defective dynein arms, although defects in other axonemal components have also been observed. Approximately 50% of patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia have laterality defects (including situs inversus totalis and, less commonly, heterotaxy, and congenital heart disease),reflecting dysfunction of embryological nodal cilia. Male infertility is common and reflects defects in sperm tail axonemes. Most patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia have a history of neonatal respiratory distress, suggesting that motile cilia play a role in fluid clearance during the transition from a fetal to neonatal lung. Ciliopathies involving sensory cilia, including autosomal dominant or recessive polycystic kidney disease, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, and Alstrom syndrome, may have chronic respiratory symptoms and even bronchiectasis suggesting clinical overlap with primary ciliary dyskinesia.

YAP, TAZ, and Yorkie: a conserved family of signal-responsive transcriptional coregulators in animal development and human disease

How extracellular cues are transduced to the nucleus is a fundamental issue in biology. The paralogous WW-domain proteins YAP (Yes-associated protein) and TAZ (transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif; also known as WWTR1, for WW-domain containing transcription regulator 1) constitute a pair of transducers linking cytoplasmic signaling events to transcriptional regulation in the nucleus. A cascade composed of mammalian Ste20-like (MST) and large tumor suppressor (LATS) kinases directs multisite phosphorylation, promotes 14-3-3 binding, and hinders nuclear import of YAP and TAZ, thereby inhibiting their transcriptional coactivator and growth-promoting activities. A similar cascade regulates the trafficking and function of Yorkie, the fly orthologue of YAP. Mammalian YAP and TAZ are expressed in various tissues and serve as coregulators for transcriptional enhancer factors (TEFs; also referred to as TEADs, for TEA-domain proteins), runt-domain transcription factors (Runxs), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), T-box transcription factor 5 (Tbx5), and several others. YAP and TAZ play distinct roles during mouse development. Both, and their upstream regulators, are intimately linked to tumorigenesis and other pathogenic processes. Here, we review studies on this family of signal-responsive transcriptional coregulators and emphasize how relative sequence conservation predicates their function and regulation, to provide a conceptual framework for organizing available information and seeking new knowledge about these signal transducers.

Isolated levocardia: prenatal diagnosis and management

Isolated levocardia (IL) is a rare condition of situs anomaly in which there is a normal left-sided heart (levocardia) with dextro position of the abdominal viscera. IL has been reported in children and adults with complex cardiac defects, whereas there are only few published reports regarding the prenatal diagnosis of IL. We report two prenatal cases of IL diagnosed by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In both cases, fetal cardiac function remained within the normal range throughout pregnancy, and no treatment for the heart was required after birth. For the dextro position of abdominal viscera, one case was followed without any surgical procedure, but the other case required prophylactic operation due to malrotation of the small intestine. Although the prognosis of IL largely depends on the severity of associated cardiac anomaly, future bowel obstruction caused by intestinal malrotation may also be life-threatening. In this respect, prenatal diagnosis of IL is important, even when there is no associated cardiac structural anomaly. If IL is suspected in routine fetal ultrasonography, MRI may be recommended to obtain more detailed information on the anatomy of abdominal viscerae, and careful observation for bowel problems is required, especially after oral nutrition is started.

Management of primary ciliary dyskinesia: the lower airways

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetic disease associated with defective ciliary structure and function. Chronic oto-sino-pulmonary infection is the most common clinical presentation. Patients should be monitored in centres with expertise in PCD. Regular respiratory monitoring consists of lung function tests, adapted to the patient's age, and cough swab or sputum cultures. Chest X-rays are insensitive but the use of high-resolution computed tomography should be considered carefully to avoid excessive radiation. Treatment of the chronic suppuration of the lower airways relies on antibiotics to which the isolated bacteria are sensitive, together with respiratory physiotherapy and exercise to clear excessive bronchial secretions. Bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory agents have no proven benefit and should be prescribed, if at all, on an individual basis. Treatment of the lower airways should always be in conjunction with that of the upper airways. Importantly in PCD, respiratory disease may be controlled with the use of early, adequate and aggressive management.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia: improving the diagnostic approach

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) has relied on analysis of ciliary motility and ultrastructure; however, these tests are not readily available and have not been standardized. Consequently, the diagnosis of PCD may be delayed or missed or made incorrectly. This review outlines the potential utility of new diagnostic tests, including measurement of nasal nitric oxide production and systematic analysis for mutations in genes encoding ciliary proteins.

RECENT FINDINGS

Clinical manifestations of PCD have been expanded to include neonatal respiratory distress and heterotaxy. Measurement of nasal nitric oxide has emerged as a useful screening test for PCD based on the very low levels in PCD (approximately 1/10 of normal values). Genetic testing is emerging for PCD and demonstrates extensive genetic heterogeneity. Some genes and gene mutations involved in PCD have been defined. Approximately one-third of PCD cases have identifiable gene mutations in one of six different genes. An international effort is focused on defining PCD-causing defects in other genes.

SUMMARY

The incorporation of nasal nitric oxide measurement as a screening test to define probable PCD cases and gene mutation analysis to make a definitive diagnosis of PCD should enhance diagnostic evaluation of PCD.

Total situs inversus: a rare anomaly presenting to a chiropractic teaching clinic

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to describe a patient with a previously undiagnosed rare anomaly, total situs inversus (TSI), and discuss the range of clinical presentations and complications associated with this and other situs anomalies. An emphasis is directed toward educating the clinician concerning the potential diagnostic challenges posed by patients with TSI and the need for patient education.

CLINICAL FEATURES

The patient was a 26-year-old white woman who presented to a chiropractic teaching clinic for a scoliosis evaluation and underwent full-spine radiography. The cardiac silhouette and gastric air bubble were evident on the right side.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME

Radiography including a 2-view chest and 1-view abdomen series was performed. Examination showed a complete mirror image presentation of the cardiothoracic and visceral organs. The patient was informed of her diagnosis and associated complications and counseled concerning how typical health complaints may present atypically in patients with situs anomalies. The patient has not experienced complications associated with the TSI.

CONCLUSION

Total situs inversus is a rare autosomal recessive anomaly. This article highlights the classification and nomenclature of situs anomalies and their clinical presentations and complications. In addition, the importance of thorough patient education and counseling in those with situs anomalies is emphasized.

[A rare case of primary ciliary dyskinesia with heterotaxy]

Primary ciliary dyskinesia is an autosomal recessive disease with a clinical history of upper and lowers respiratory infections, rhinosinusitis and bronquitis associated with complete or partial situs inversus. The authors present a 78 -year -old male caucasian patient with rhinosinusitis, lower respiratory tract infection and dyspnea, chronic otitis with hearing deficit and infertility followed in Gastroenterology for dyspepsia and constipation. The radiological studies revealed agenesis of right frontal sinus; bronchial wall thickening; bronchiectasis; cecum and ascending colon located on the left and small bowel occupies right side of abdomen. He had no immunodeficiency, allergies, cystic fibrosis and others. We concluded primary ciliary dyskinesia with heterotaxy. For the rarity of this case we decided to present it.

Genetic testing in other GI diseases

Gastrointestinal development is a complex process comprising folding of the endodermal layer to form the primitive gut tube, cell differentiation along its anteroposterior axis, the budding of the various organ primordia and development of derivative organs like the liver and pancreas and the colonisation of the gut with neuronal precursors. Genetic factors are increasingly recognised as playing a significant role in the disturbance of this developmental process which underlies congenital malformations and gastrointestinal disorders. Furthermore, genetic variation and its interaction with environmental influences play an important role in the pathogenesis of functional gastrointestinal disorders. In this review, we discuss the contribution of genetic variants, ranging from highly penetrant mutations and chromosomal abnormalities to genetic polymorphisms, to the pathogenesis of a number of structural and functional gastrointestinal disorders.