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Rad LM, Arellano G, Podojil JR, O'Konek JJ, Shea LD, Miller SD. Engineering nanoparticle therapeutics for food allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 153:549-559. [PMID: 37926124 PMCID: PMC10939913 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Food allergy is a growing public health issue among children and adults that can lead to life-threatening anaphylaxis following allergen exposure. The criterion standard for disease management includes food avoidance and emergency epinephrine administration because current allergen-specific immunotherapy treatments are limited by adverse events and unsustained desensitization. A promising approach to remedy these shortcomings is the use of nanoparticle-based therapies that disrupt disease-driving immune mechanisms and induce more sustained tolerogenic immune pathways. The pathophysiology of food allergy includes multifaceted interactions between effector immune cells, including lymphocytes, antigen-presenting cells, mast cells, and basophils, mainly characterized by a TH2 cell response. Regulatory T cells, TH1 cell responses, and suppression of other major allergic effector cells have been found to be major drivers of beneficial outcomes in these nanoparticle therapies. Engineered nanoparticle formulations that have shown efficacy at reducing allergic responses and revealed new mechanisms of tolerance include polymeric-, lipid-, and emulsion-based nanotherapeutics. This review highlights the recent engineering design of these nanoparticles, the mechanisms induced by them, and their future potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila M Rad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich
| | - Gabriel Arellano
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill; Center for Human Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill
| | - Joseph R Podojil
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill; Center for Human Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill; Cour Pharmaceutical Development Company, Skokie, Ill
| | - Jessica J O'Konek
- Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Mich.
| | - Lonnie D Shea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
| | - Stephen D Miller
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill; Center for Human Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill.
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2
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Divolis G, Synolaki E, Doulou A, Gavriil A, Giannouli CC, Apostolidou A, Foster ML, Matzuk MM, Skendros P, Galani IE, Sideras P. Neutrophil-derived Activin-A moderates their pro-NETotic activity and attenuates collateral tissue damage caused by Influenza A virus infection. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1302489. [PMID: 38476229 PMCID: PMC10929267 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1302489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Pre-neutrophils, while developing in the bone marrow, transcribe the Inhba gene and synthesize Activin-A protein, which they store and release at the earliest stage of their activation in the periphery. However, the role of neutrophil-derived Activin-A is not completely understood. Methods To address this issue, we developed a neutrophil-specific Activin-A-deficient animal model (S100a8-Cre/Inhba fl/fl mice) and analyzed the immune response to Influenza A virus (IAV) infection. More specifically, evaluation of body weight and lung mechanics, molecular and cellular analyses of bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, flow cytometry and cell sorting of lung cells, as well as histopathological analysis of lung tissues, were performed in PBS-treated and IAV-infected transgenic animals. Results We found that neutrophil-specific Activin-A deficiency led to exacerbated pulmonary inflammation and widespread hemorrhagic histopathology in the lungs of IAV-infected animals that was associated with an exuberant production of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Moreover, deletion of the Activin-A receptor ALK4/ACVR1B in neutrophils exacerbated IAV-induced pathology as well, suggesting that neutrophils themselves are potential targets of Activin-A-mediated signaling. The pro-NETotic tendency of Activin-A-deficient neutrophils was further verified in the context of thioglycollate-induced peritonitis, a model characterized by robust peritoneal neutrophilia. Of importance, transcriptome analysis of Activin-A-deficient neutrophils revealed alterations consistent with a predisposition for NET release. Conclusion Collectively, our data demonstrate that Activin-A, secreted by neutrophils upon their activation in the periphery, acts as a feedback mechanism to moderate their pro-NETotic tendency and limit the collateral tissue damage caused by neutrophil excess activation during the inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Divolis
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evgenia Synolaki
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasia Doulou
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ariana Gavriil
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina C. Giannouli
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Apostolidou
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Martin M. Matzuk
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Panagiotis Skendros
- Laboratory of Molecular Hematology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
- First Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Ioanna-Evdokia Galani
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Paschalis Sideras
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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3
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Frey A, Lunding LP, Wegmann M. The Dual Role of the Airway Epithelium in Asthma: Active Barrier and Regulator of Inflammation. Cells 2023; 12:2208. [PMID: 37759430 PMCID: PMC10526792 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic airway inflammation is the cornerstone on which bronchial asthma arises, and in turn, chronic inflammation arises from a complex interplay between environmental factors such as allergens and pathogens and immune cells as well as structural cells constituting the airway mucosa. Airway epithelial cells (AECs) are at the center of these processes. On the one hand, they represent the borderline separating the body from its environment in order to keep inner homeostasis. The airway epithelium forms a multi-tiered, self-cleaning barrier that involves an unstirred, discontinuous mucous layer, the dense and rigid mesh of the glycocalyx, and the cellular layer itself, consisting of multiple, densely interconnected cell types. On the other hand, the airway epithelium represents an immunologically highly active tissue once its barrier has been penetrated: AECs play a pivotal role in releasing protective immunoglobulin A. They express a broad spectrum of pattern recognition receptors, enabling them to react to environmental stressors that overcome the mucosal barrier. By releasing alarmins-proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines-AECs play an active role in the formation, strategic orientation, and control of the subsequent defense reaction. Consequently, the airway epithelium is of vital importance to chronic inflammatory diseases, such as asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Frey
- Division of Mucosal Immunology and Diagnostics, Research Center Borstel, 23845 Borstel, Germany;
- Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 22927 Großhansdorf, Germany;
| | - Lars P. Lunding
- Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 22927 Großhansdorf, Germany;
- Division of Lung Immunology, Research Center Borstel, 23845 Borstel, Germany
| | - Michael Wegmann
- Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 22927 Großhansdorf, Germany;
- Division of Lung Immunology, Research Center Borstel, 23845 Borstel, Germany
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4
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Maggi E, Parronchi P, Azzarone BG, Moretta L. A pathogenic integrated view explaining the different endotypes of asthma and allergic disorders. Allergy 2022; 77:3267-3292. [PMID: 35842745 DOI: 10.1111/all.15445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The inflammation of allergic diseases is characterized by a complex interaction between type 2 and type 3 immune responses, explaining clinical symptoms and histopathological patterns. Airborne stimuli activate the mucosal epithelium to release a number of molecules impacting the activity of resident immune and environmental cells. Signals from the mucosal barrier, regulatory cells, and the inflamed tissue are crucial conditions able to modify innate and adaptive effector cells providing the selective homing of eosinophils or neutrophils. The high plasticity of resident T- and innate lymphoid cells responding to external signals is the prerequisite to explain the multiplicity of endotypes of allergic diseases. This notion paved the way for the huge use of specific biologic drugs interfering with pathogenic mechanisms of inflammation. Based on the response of the epithelial barrier, the activity of resident regulatory cells, and functions of structural non-lymphoid environmental cells, this review proposes some immunopathogenic scenarios characterizing the principal endotypes which can be associated with a precise phenotype of asthma. Recent literature indicates that similar concepts can also be applied to the inflammation of other non-respiratory allergic disorders. The next challenges will consist in defining specific biomarker(s) of each endotype allowing for a quick diagnosis and the most effective personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Maggi
- Department of Immunology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Parronchi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Immunology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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5
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Matucci A, Bormioli S, Nencini F, Chiccoli F, Vivarelli E, Maggi E, Vultaggio A. Asthma and Chronic Rhinosinusitis: How Similar Are They in Pathogenesis and Treatment Responses? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3340. [PMID: 33805199 PMCID: PMC8037977 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe asthma and rhinosinusitis represent frequent comorbidities, complicating the overall management of the disease. Both asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) can be differentiated into endotypes: those with type 2 eosinophilic inflammation and those with a non-type 2 inflammation. A correct definition of phenotype/endotype for these diseases is crucial, taking into account the availability of novel biological therapies. Even though patients suffering from type 2 severe asthma-with or without CRS with nasal polyps-significantly benefit from treatment with biologics, the existence of different levels of patient response has been clearly demonstrated. In fact, in clinical practice, it is a common experience that patients reach a good clinical response for asthma symptoms, but not for CRS. At first glance, a reason for this could be that although asthma and CRS can coexist in the same patient, they can manifest with different degrees of severity; therefore, efficacy may not be equally achieved. Many questions regarding responders and nonresponders, predictors of response, and residual disease after blocking type 2 pathways are still unanswered. In this review, we discuss whether treatment with biological agents is equally effective in controlling both asthma and sinonasal symptoms in patients in which asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps coexist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Matucci
- Immunoallergology Unit, University Hospital Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy; (S.B.); (F.N.); (E.V.); (A.V.)
| | - Susanna Bormioli
- Immunoallergology Unit, University Hospital Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy; (S.B.); (F.N.); (E.V.); (A.V.)
| | - Francesca Nencini
- Immunoallergology Unit, University Hospital Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy; (S.B.); (F.N.); (E.V.); (A.V.)
| | - Fabio Chiccoli
- Immunology and Cellular Therapy Unit, University Hospital Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Emanuele Vivarelli
- Immunoallergology Unit, University Hospital Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy; (S.B.); (F.N.); (E.V.); (A.V.)
| | - Enrico Maggi
- Immunology Department, Children Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Vultaggio
- Immunoallergology Unit, University Hospital Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy; (S.B.); (F.N.); (E.V.); (A.V.)
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Kariyawasam HH. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: mechanistic insights from targeting IL-4 and IL-13 via IL-4Rα inhibition with dupilumab. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2020; 16:1115-1125. [PMID: 33148074 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2021.1847083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a complex immunological upper airway disease . CRSwNP, particularly in Caucasians, often has a more distinct T2 inflammatory endotype. IL-4 and IL-13 are key upstream cytokines that help establish and sustain T2 inflammation as well as strongly influencing tissue remodeling. They have a shared signaling receptor IL-4Rα. An attractive and novel therapeutic approach is by way of blocking IL-4 and IL-13 simultaneously via inhibiting IL-4Rα. Dupilumab is a murine derived fully human monoclonal inhibitory antibody directed against IL-4Rα which thereby prevents IL-4/IL-13 cell signaling. Following successful Phase 3 studies dupilumab has become the first licensed biologic for treating CRSwNP. Areas covered: This review covers the essential immunology of CRSwNP in the context of IL-4 and IL-13 signaling via IL-4Rα. The potential mechanisms by which therapeutic improvements occur with dupilumab are evaluated. IL-4, IL-13, dupilumab and rhinosinusitis were used as the search terms in PubMed and Google Scholar through to August 2020. Expert commentary: Dupilumab has the potential to transform the care for patients with CRSwNP. It is essential that further studies are conducted promptly to identify disease-specific biomarkers and clinical traits to guide clinicians on best patient selection thereby ensuring optimal dupilumab outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harsha H Kariyawasam
- Rhinology Section, Specialist Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Royal National ENT Hospital, London University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, University College London , London, UK
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Enhanced asthma-related fibroblast to myofibroblast transition is the result of profibrotic TGF-β/Smad2/3 pathway intensification and antifibrotic TGF-β/Smad1/5/(8)9 pathway impairment. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16492. [PMID: 33020537 PMCID: PMC7536388 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73473-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway remodelling with subepithelial fibrosis, which abolishes the physiological functions of the bronchial wall, is a major issue in bronchial asthma. Human bronchial fibroblasts (HBFs) derived from patients diagnosed with asthma display in vitro predestination towards TGF-β1-induced fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT), a key event in subepithelial fibrosis. As commonly used anti-asthmatic drugs do not reverse the structural changes of the airways, and the molecular mechanism of enhanced asthma-related TGF-β1-induced FMT is poorly understood, we investigated the balance between the profibrotic TGF-β/Smad2/3 and the antifibrotic TGF-β/Smad1/5/9 signalling pathways and its role in the myofibroblast formation of HBF populations derived from asthmatic and non-asthmatic donors. Our findings showed for the first time that TGF-β-induced activation of the profibrotic Smad2/3 signalling pathway was enhanced, but the activation of the antifibrotic Smad1/5/(8)9 pathway by TGF-β1 was significantly diminished in fibroblasts from asthmatic donors compared to those from their healthy counterparts. The impairment of the antifibrotic TGF-β/Smad1/5/(8)9 pathway in HBFs derived from asthmatic donors was correlated with enhanced FMT. Furthermore, we showed that Smad1 silencing in HBFs from non-asthmatic donors increased the FMT potential in these cells. Additionally, we demonstrated that activation of antifibrotic Smad signalling via BMP7 or isoliquiritigenin [a small-molecule activator of the TGF-β/Smad1/5/(8)9 pathway] administration prevents FMT in HBFs from asthmatic donors through downregulation of profibrotic genes, e.g., α-SMA and fibronectin. Our data suggest that influencing the balance between the antifibrotic and profibrotic TGF-β/Smad signalling pathways using BMP7-mimetic compounds presents an unprecedented opportunity to inhibit subepithelial fibrosis during airway remodelling in asthma.
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8
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Kariyawasam HH, Gane SB. Allergen-induced asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis and transforming growth factor-β superfamily signaling: mechanisms and functional consequences. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2019; 15:1155-1170. [PMID: 31549888 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2020.1672538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Often co-associated, asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) are complex heterogeneous disease syndromes. Severity in both is related to tissue inflammation and abnormal repair (termed remodeling). Understanding signaling factors that can modulate, integrate the activation, and regulation of such key processes together is increasingly important. The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily of ligands comprise a versatile system of immunomodulatory molecules that are gaining recognition as having an essential function in the immunopathogenesis of asthma. Early data suggest an important role in CRS as well. Abnormal or dysregulated signaling may contribute to disease pathogenesis and severity.Areas covered: The essential biology of this complex family of growth factors in relation to the excess inflammation and remodeling that occurs in allergic asthma and CRS is reviewed. The need to understand the integration of signaling pathways together is highlighted. Studies in human airway tissue are evaluated and only selected key animal models relevant to human disease discussed given the highly context-dependent signaling and function of these ligands.Expert opinion: Abnormal or dysregulated TGF-β superfamily signaling may be central to the excess inflammation and tissue remodeling in asthma, and possibly CRS. Therefore, the TGF-β superfamily signaling pathways represent an emerging and attractive therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harsha H Kariyawasam
- Department of Adult Specialist Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Royal National ENT Hospital, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Department of Rhinology, Royal National ENT Hospital, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,University College London, London, UK
| | - Simon B Gane
- Department of Rhinology, Royal National ENT Hospital, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,University College London, London, UK
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9
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Activin-A in the regulation of immunity in health and disease. J Autoimmun 2019; 104:102314. [PMID: 31416681 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2019.102314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The TGF-β superfamily of cytokines plays pivotal roles in the regulation of immune responses protecting against or contributing to diseases, such as, allergy, autoimmunity and cancer. Activin-A, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, was initially identified as an inducer of follicle-stimulating hormone secretion. Extensive research over the past decades illuminated fundamental roles for activin-A in essential biologic processes, including embryonic development, stem cell maintenance and differentiation, haematopoiesis, cell proliferation and tissue fibrosis. Activin-A signals through two type I and two type II receptors which, upon ligand binding, activate their kinase activity, phosphorylate the SMAD2 and 3 intracellular signaling mediators that form a complex with SMAD4, translocate to the nucleus and activate or silence gene expression. Most immune cell types, including macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), T and B lymphocytes and natural killer cells have the capacity to produce and respond to activin-A, although not in a similar manner. In innate immune cells, including macrophages, DCs and neutrophils, activin-A exerts a broad range of pro- or anti-inflammatory functions depending on the cell maturation and activation status and the spatiotemporal context. Activin-A also controls the differentiation and effector functions of Th cell subsets, including Th9 cells, TFH cells, Tr1 Treg cells and Foxp3+ Treg cells. Moreover, activin-A affects B cell responses, enhancing mucosal IgA secretion and inhibiting pathogenic autoantibody production. Interestingly, an array of preclinical and clinical studies has highlighted crucial functions of activin-A in the initiation, propagation and resolution of human diseases, including autoimmune diseases, such as, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, in allergic disorders, including allergic asthma and atopic dermatitis, in cancer and in microbial infections. Here, we provide an overview of the biology of activin-A and its signaling pathways, summarize recent studies pertinent to the role of activin-A in the modulation of inflammation and immunity, and discuss the potential of targeting activin-A as a novel therapeutic approach for the control of inflammatory diseases.
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10
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Kim JM, Lee JK, Choi SM, Lee J, Park YS, Lee CH, Yim JJ, Yoo CG, Kim YW, Han SK, Lee SM. Diagnostic and prognostic values of serum activin-a levels in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. BMC Pulm Med 2019; 19:115. [PMID: 31238942 PMCID: PMC6593589 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-019-0879-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We aimed to evaluate whether serum activin-A levels are elevated and have any value in predicting severity and prognosis in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods Retrospective cohort study was performed with patients who were admitted to MICU with diagnosis of ARDS and have serum samples stored within 48 h of Intensive care unit (ICU) admission between March 2013 and December 2016 at a single tertiary referral hospital. Serum activin-A levels were measured with ELISA kit, and were compared with those of normal healthy control and non-ARDS sepsis patients. Results Total 97 ARDS patients were included for the study. Levels of Activin-A were elevated in ARDS patients compared to those of healthy controls (Log-transformed activin-A levels 2.89 ± 0.36 vs. 2.34 ± 0.11, p < 0.001, absolute activin-A levels 1525.6 ± 1060.98 vs. 225.9 ± 30.1, p = 0.016) and non-ARDS sepsis patients (Log-transformed activin-A levels 2.89 ± 0.36 vs. 2.73 ± 0.34, p = 0.002, Absolute activin-A levels 1525.6 ± 1060.98 vs. 754.8 ± 123.5 pg/mL, p = 0.036). When excluding five outliers with extremely high activin-A levels, activin-A showed statistically significant correlation with in-hospital mortalities (In-hospital survivors 676.2 ± 407 vs. non-survivors 897.9 ± 561.9 pg/mL, p = 0.047). In predicting in-hospital mortality, serum activin-A concentrations showed superior area under curve compared to that of Acute physiologic and chronic health evaluation II scores (0.653; 95% CI [0541, 0.765] vs. 0.591, 95% CI [0.471, 0.710]). With cut-off level of 708 pg/mL, those with high serum activin-A levels had more than twofold increased risk of in-hospital mortalities. However, those relations were missing when outliers were in. Conclusions Serum activin-A levels in ARDS patients are elevated. However, its levels are weakly associated with ARDS outcomes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12890-019-0879-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee-Min Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Medical Center, 245 Eulji-ro, Joong-gu, Seoul, 04564, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Kyu Lee
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, 425 Sindaebang dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 07061, Republic of Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Mi Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinwoo Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Sik Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Hoon Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Joon Yim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul-Gyu Yoo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Whan Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Koo Han
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Min Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea. .,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Regulatory cytokine function in the respiratory tract. Mucosal Immunol 2019; 12:589-600. [PMID: 30874596 PMCID: PMC7051906 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-019-0158-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The respiratory tract is an important site of immune regulation; required to allow protective immunity against pathogens, while minimizing tissue damage and avoiding aberrant inflammatory responses to inhaled allergens. Several cell types work in concert to control pulmonary immune responses and maintain tolerance in the respiratory tract, including regulatory and effector T cells, airway and interstitial macrophages, dendritic cells and the airway epithelium. The cytokines transforming growth factor β, interleukin (IL-) 10, IL-27, and IL-35 are key coordinators of immune regulation in tissues such as the lung. Here, we discuss the role of these cytokines during respiratory infection and allergic airway disease, highlighting the critical importance of cellular source and immunological context for the effects of these cytokines in vivo.
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Lyons DO, Plewes MR, Pullen NA. Soluble transforming growth factor beta-1 enhances murine mast cell release of Interleukin 6 in IgE-independent and Interleukin 13 in IgE-dependent settings in vitro. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207704. [PMID: 30444930 PMCID: PMC6239331 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION For immune cells transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) can enhance or repress effector functions. Here, we characterize the effects of TGF-β1 on IgE-mediated and IL-33-mediated activation of primary murine mast cells derived from hematopoietic stem cells (bone marrow derived mast cells; BMMC). We also investigated potential interactions between TGF-β1 and stem cell factor (SCF). We conclude TGF-β1 plays a selectively stimulatory role for mast cell cultures in vitro. METHODS BMMCs from C57BL/6 mice were differentiated with IL-3 and then treated with TGF-β1. BMMCs were exposed to TGF-β1, primed with IgE, activated with antigen, and then IL-6 and IL-13 cytokine release was quantified using ELISA. Additionally, the effects of TGF-β1 on both IgE and IL-33-mediated short term activation were observed via flow cytometric analysis of both surface LAMP-1 expression and intracellular IL-6. Receptor colocalization was visualized using fluorescence confocal microscopy and individual receptor expression levels were also quantified. RESULTS Resting IL-6 production increased with TGF-β1 but significance was lost following BMMC activation via IgE receptor (FcεRI) crosslinking. This was similar to a comparison effect due to SCF treatment alone, which also enhanced resting levels of IL-6. TGF-β1 treatment enhanced release of IL-13 only with FcεRI-IgE-mediated activation. TGF-β1 suppressed mobilization of IL-6 with short-term BMMC activation when stimulated with IL-33. Lastly, colocalization patterns of the SCF receptor (CD117) and FcεRI with IgE crosslinking were unaffected by TGF-β1 treatment, but individual expression levels for FcεRI, CD117, and TGFβRII were all reduced following either IgE activation or TGF-β1 treatment; this reduction was partially recovered in BMMCs that were both activated by IgE and treated with TGF-β1. DISCUSSION These data reveal a novel positive effect of soluble TGF-β1 on mast cell activation in vitro, suggesting mast cells may be activated through a non-canonical pathway by TGF-β1. Understanding this interaction will provide insight into the potential role of mast cells in settings where TGF-β1 is produced in an aberrant manner, such as in and around high grade tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- David O. Lyons
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Michele R. Plewes
- Olson Center for Women's Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Nicholas A. Pullen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado, United States of America
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13
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Li CL, Xu ZB, Fan XL, Chen HX, Yu QN, Fang SB, Wang SY, Lin YD, Fu QL. MicroRNA-21 Mediates the Protective Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from iPSCs to Human Bronchial Epithelial Cell Injury Under Hypoxia. Cell Transplant 2018; 27:571-583. [PMID: 29806480 PMCID: PMC6038046 DOI: 10.1177/0963689718767159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Airway epithelial cell injury is a key triggering event to activate allergic airway inflammation, such as asthma. We previously reported that administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) significantly alleviated allergic inflammation in a mouse model of asthma, and the mmu-miR-21/ACVR2A axis may be involved. However, whether MSCs protect against bronchial epithelial cell injury induced by hypoxia, and the underlying mechanism, remain unknown. In our study, the human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B was induced to undergo apoptosis with a hypoxia mimic of cobalt chloride (CoCl2) damage. Treatment of MSCs derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) significantly decreased apoptosis of BEAS-2B cells. There was high miR-21 expression in injured BEAS-2B cells after MSC treatment. Transfection of the miR-21 mimic significantly decreased apoptosis of BEAS-2B, and transfection of a miR-21 inhibitor significantly increased apoptosis. More importantly, the protective effects of MSCs on injured BEAS-2B were reversed by transfection of the miR-21 inhibitor. Binding sites of human miR-21 were identified in the 3’UTR of human ACVR2A. We further determined that CoCl2 stimulation increased ACVR2A expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, transfection of the miR-21 mimic further up-regulated ACVR2A expression induced by CoCl2, whereas transfection of the miR-21 inhibitor down-regulated ACVR2A expression. In addition, MSCs increased ACVR2A expression in BEAS-2B cells; however, this effect was reversed after transfection of the miR-21 inhibitor. Our data suggested that MSCs protect bronchial epithelial cells from hypoxic injury via miR-21, which may represent an important target. These findings suggest the potentially wide application of MSCs for epithelial cell injury during hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Lin Li
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,2 Centre for Stem Cell Clinical Research and Application, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Bin Xu
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,2 Centre for Stem Cell Clinical Research and Application, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xing-Liang Fan
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,2 Centre for Stem Cell Clinical Research and Application, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - He-Xin Chen
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiu-Ning Yu
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Bin Fang
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Yue Wang
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong-Dong Lin
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Ling Fu
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,2 Centre for Stem Cell Clinical Research and Application, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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14
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Samitas K, Carter A, Kariyawasam HH, Xanthou G. Upper and lower airway remodelling mechanisms in asthma, allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis: The one airway concept revisited. Allergy 2018; 73:993-1002. [PMID: 29197105 DOI: 10.1111/all.13373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Allergic rhinitis (AR), chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and asthma often co-exist. The one airway model proposes that disease mechanisms occurring in the upper airway may mirror lower airway events. Airway remodelling is the term used to describe tissue structural changes that occur in a disease setting and reflect the dynamic process of tissue restructuring during wound repair. Remodelling has been long identified in the lower airways in asthma and is characterized by epithelial shedding, goblet cell hyperplasia, basement membrane thickening, subepithelial fibrosis, airway smooth muscle hyperplasia and increased angiogenesis. The concept of upper airway remodelling has only recently been introduced, and data so far are limited and often conflicting, an indication that more detailed studies are needed. Whilst remodelling changes in AR are limited, CRS phenotypes demonstrate epithelial hyperplasia, increased matrix deposition and degradation along with accumulation of plasma proteins. Despite extensive research over the past years, the precise cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in airway remodelling remain incompletely defined. This review describes our current rather limited understanding of airway remodelling processes in AR, CRS and asthma and presents mechanisms both shared and distinct between the upper and lower airways. Delineation of shared and disease-specific pathogenic mechanisms of remodelling between the sinonasal system and the lung may guide the rational design of more effective therapeutic strategies targeting upper and lower airways concomitantly and improving the health of individuals with inflammatory airway diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Samitas
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory; Division of Cell Biology; Centre for Basic Research; Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA); Athens Greece
| | - A. Carter
- Department of Allergy, Clinical Immunology and Medical Rhinology; Royal National Throat Nose Ear Hospital; London UK
| | - H. H. Kariyawasam
- Department of Allergy, Clinical Immunology and Medical Rhinology; Royal National Throat Nose Ear Hospital; London UK
- Department of Respiratory Medicine; University College London Hospital and University College London; London UK
| | - G. Xanthou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory; Division of Cell Biology; Centre for Basic Research; Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA); Athens Greece
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15
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Activin-A co-opts IRF4 and AhR signaling to induce human regulatory T cells that restrain asthmatic responses. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E2891-E2900. [PMID: 28320933 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1616942114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 1 regulatory T (Tr1) cells play a pivotal role in restraining human T-cell responses toward environmental allergens and protecting against allergic diseases. Still, the precise molecular cues that underlie their transcriptional and functional specification remain elusive. Here, we show that the cytokine activin-A instructs the generation of CD4+ T cells that express the Tr1-cell-associated molecules IL-10, inducible T-Cell costimulator (ICOS), lymphocyte activation gene 3 protein (LAG-3), and CD49b, and exert strongly suppressive functions toward allergic responses induced by naive and in vivo-primed human T helper 2 cells. Moreover, mechanistic studies reveal that activin-A signaling induces the activation of the transcription factor interferon regulatory factor (IRF4), which, along with the environmental sensor aryl hydrocarbon receptor, forms a multipartite transcriptional complex that binds in IL-10 and ICOS promoter elements and controls gene expression in human CD4+ T cells. In fact, IRF4 silencing abrogates activin-A-driven IL10 and ICOS up-regulation and impairs the suppressive functions of human activin-A-induced Tr1-like (act-A-iTr1) cells. Importantly, using a humanized mouse model of allergic asthma, we demonstrate that adoptive transfer of human act-A-iTr1 cells, both in preventive and therapeutic protocols, confers significant protection against cardinal asthma manifestations, including pulmonary inflammation. Overall, our findings uncover an activin-A-induced IRF4-aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-dependent transcriptional network, which generates suppressive human Tr1 cells that may be harnessed for the control of allergic diseases.
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16
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Wight TN, Frevert CW, Debley JS, Reeves SR, Parks WC, Ziegler SF. Interplay of extracellular matrix and leukocytes in lung inflammation. Cell Immunol 2017; 312:1-14. [PMID: 28077237 PMCID: PMC5290208 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
During inflammation, leukocytes influx into lung compartments and interact with extracellular matrix (ECM). Two ECM components, versican and hyaluronan, increase in a range of lung diseases. The interaction of leukocytes with these ECM components controls leukocyte retention and accumulation, proliferation, migration, differentiation, and activation as part of the inflammatory phase of lung disease. In addition, bronchial epithelial cells from asthmatic children co-cultured with human lung fibroblasts generate an ECM that is adherent for monocytes/macrophages. Macrophages are present in both early and late lung inflammation. Matrix metalloproteinase 10 (MMP10) is induced in alveolar macrophages with injury and infection and modulates macrophage phenotype and their ability to degrade collagenous ECM components. Collectively, studies outlined in this review highlight the importance of specific ECM components in the regulation of inflammatory events in lung disease. The widespread involvement of these ECM components in the pathogenesis of lung inflammation make them attractive candidates for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas N Wight
- Matrix Biology Program, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Charles W Frevert
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jason S Debley
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children's Research Institute, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Stephen R Reeves
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children's Research Institute, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - William C Parks
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Steven F Ziegler
- Immunology Program, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA, USA
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17
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Papaporfyriou A, Bakakos P, Kostikas K, Papatheodorou G, Hillas G, Trigidou R, Katafigiotis P, Koulouris NG, Papiris SA, Loukides S. Activin A and follistatin in patients with asthma. Does severity make the difference? Respirology 2016; 22:473-479. [PMID: 27807906 DOI: 10.1111/resp.12937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Activin A is a pleiotropic cytokine holding a fundamental role in inflammation and tissue remodelling. Follistatin can modulate the bioactivity of activin. We aimed to measure activin A and follistatin in sputum supernatants and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of asthmatic patients and to determine the possible associations with severity as well as with inflammatory and remodelling indices. METHODS A total of 58 asthmatic patients (33 with severe refractory asthma (SRA)) and 10 healthy controls underwent sputum induction for % cells, activin A, follistatin, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), IL-13 and IL-8 measurements. In 22 asthmatic patients, BAL and bronchial biopsies were also performed for the assessment of the above-mentioned variables, measurement of remodelling indices and immunostaining for different activin A receptors. RESULTS Sputum activin A (pg/mL) was higher in patients with SRA (median (interquartile ranges): 76 (33-185)) compared to mild-to-moderate asthma (44 (18-84); P = 0.005), whereas follistatin did not differ between the two groups. BAL activin A (pg/mL) was higher in patients with SRA compared to those with mild-to-moderate disease. A significant association was observed between activin A and TGF-β1, eosinophils in sputum and/or in BAL, while reticular basement membrane (RBM) thickness was significantly associated with BAL activin levels only. No difference in immunostaining for activin receptor type IB was observed between patients with SRA and those with mild-to-moderate asthma. CONCLUSION Sputum and BAL levels of activin A are higher in SRA. The association of activin A with TGF-β1, eosinophils and RBM thickness may indicate a role of this cytokine in the inflammatory and remodelling process in SRA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Papaporfyriou
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Kostikas
- 2nd Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Georgios Hillas
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Rodoula Trigidou
- Pathology Department, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Nikolaos G Koulouris
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Sotiria" Hospital of Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyros A Papiris
- 2nd Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 2nd Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece
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18
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Dietz K, de Los Reyes Jiménez M, Gollwitzer ES, Chaker AM, Zissler UM, Rådmark OP, Baarsma HA, Königshoff M, Schmidt-Weber CB, Marsland BJ, Esser-von Bieren J. Age dictates a steroid-resistant cascade of Wnt5a, transglutaminase 2, and leukotrienes in inflamed airways. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2016; 139:1343-1354.e6. [PMID: 27554815 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2016.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Airway remodeling is a detrimental and refractory process showing age-dependent clinical manifestations that are mechanistically undefined. The leukotriene (LT) and wingless/integrase (Wnt) pathways have been implicated in remodeling, but age-specific expression profiles and common regulators remained elusive. OBJECTIVE We sought to study the activation of the LT and Wnt pathways during early- or late-onset allergic airway inflammation and to address regulatory mechanisms and clinical relevance in normal human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBEs) and nasal polyp tissues. METHODS Mice were sensitized with house dust mite (HDM) allergens from days 3, 15, or 60 after birth. Remodeling factors in murine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, lung tissue, or human nasal polyp tissue were analyzed by means of Western blotting, immunoassays, or histology. Regulatory mechanisms were studied in cytokine/HDM-stimulated NHBEs and macrophages. RESULTS Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid LT levels were increased in neonatal and adult but reduced in juvenile HDM-sensitized mice. Lungs of neonatally sensitized mice showed increased 5-lipoxygenase levels, whereas adult mice expressed more group 10 secretory phospholipase A2, Wnt5a, and transglutaminase 2 (Tgm2). Older mice showed colocalization of Wnt5a and LT enzymes in the epithelium, a pattern also observed in human nasal polyps. IL-4 promoted epithelial Wnt5a secretion, which upregulated macrophage Tgm2 expression, and Tgm2 inhibition in turn reduced LT release. Tgm2, group 10 secretory phospholipase A2, and LT enzymes in NHBEs and nasal polyps were refractory to corticosteroids. CONCLUSION Our findings reveal age differences in LT and Wnt pathways during airway inflammation and identify a steroid-resistant cascade of Wnt5a, Tgm2, and LTs, which might represent a therapeutic target for airway inflammation and remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Dietz
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marta de Los Reyes Jiménez
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eva S Gollwitzer
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Adam M Chaker
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany; Department of Otolaryngology, Allergy Section, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrich M Zissler
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Olof P Rådmark
- Division of Physiological Chemistry II, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hoeke A Baarsma
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, University Hospital Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
| | - Melanie Königshoff
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, University Hospital Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
| | - Carsten B Schmidt-Weber
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Benjamin J Marsland
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julia Esser-von Bieren
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany.
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19
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Hardy CL, Rolland JM, O'Hehir RE. The immunoregulatory and fibrotic roles of activin A in allergic asthma. Clin Exp Allergy 2016; 45:1510-22. [PMID: 25962695 PMCID: PMC4687413 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Activin A, a member of the TGF-β superfamily of cytokines, was originally identified as an inducer of follicle stimulating hormone release, but has since been ascribed roles in normal physiological processes, as an immunoregulatory cytokine and as a driver of fibrosis. In the last 10–15 years, it has also become abundantly clear that activin A plays an important role in the regulation of asthmatic inflammation and airway remodelling. This review provides a brief introduction to the activin A/TGF-β superfamily, focussing on the regulation of receptors and signalling pathways. We examine the contradictory evidence for generalized pro- vs. anti-inflammatory effects of activin A in inflammation, before appraising its role in asthmatic inflammation and airway remodelling specifically by evaluating data from both murine models and clinical studies. We identify key issues to be addressed, paving the way for safe exploitation of modulation of activin A function for treatment of allergic asthma and other inflammatory lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Hardy
- Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, Monash University and The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., 3004, Australia
| | - J M Rolland
- Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, Monash University and The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., 3004, Australia
| | - R E O'Hehir
- Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, Monash University and The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., 3004, Australia
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Tang GN, Li CL, Yao Y, Xu ZB, Deng MX, Wang SY, Sun YQ, Shi JB, Fu QL. MicroRNAs Involved in Asthma After Mesenchymal Stem Cells Treatment. Stem Cells Dev 2016; 25:883-96. [PMID: 27106170 PMCID: PMC4928133 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2015.0339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Administration of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) significantly alleviates allergic airway inflammation. There are no studies that refer to the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) after the BM-MSCs treatment in airway allergic inflammation. We induced a mouse model of asthma and performed the transplantation of BM-MSCs. We analyzed aberrant miRNAs and key immune regulators using both miRNA and messenger RNA (mRNA) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) arrays. We identified that 296 miRNAs were differently expressed after the induction of asthma and/or the treatment of BM-MSCs, in which 14 miRNAs presented the reverse variation tendency between asthma induction and BM-MSCs transplantation. Mmu-miR-21a-3p, mmu-miR-449c-5p, and mmu-miR-496a-3p were further confirmed to be differently expressed with additional samples and quantitative real-time PCR. With an mRNA PCR array, we identified 19 genes to be involved in the allergy induction and the administration of BM-MSCs. Further target genes analysis revealed that mmu-miR-21a-3p was significantly correlated with the immune regulator activin A receptor, Type IIA (Acvr2a). Mmu-miR-21a-3p had opposite expression with Acvr2a after asthma and BM-MSCs treatment. Acvr2a had binding sites for miR-21a for both mice and human, suggesting that miR-21/Acvr2a axis is conserved between human and mice. Dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that mmu-miR-21a-3p negatively regulated the transcript of Acvr2a. In addition, has-miR-21a inhibitor significantly increased the expression of Acvr2a mRNA in BEAS-2B cells under lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Our results suggest that there were different miRNA and mRNA profiles after asthma induction and BM-MSCs treatment, and the miR-21/Acvr2a axis is an important mechanism for the induction of asthmatic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guan-Nan Tang
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, China .,2 Centre for Stem Cell Clinical Research and Application, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng-Lin Li
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, China .,2 Centre for Stem Cell Clinical Research and Application, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, China
| | - Yin Yao
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, China .,3 Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi-Bin Xu
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, China .,2 Centre for Stem Cell Clinical Research and Application, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, China
| | - Meng-Xia Deng
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Yue Wang
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue-Qi Sun
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Bo Shi
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Ling Fu
- 1 Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, China .,2 Centre for Stem Cell Clinical Research and Application, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, China
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21
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Regulation of group 2 innate lymphoid cells. Cytokine 2016; 87:1-8. [PMID: 27255596 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2016.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) exert critical roles in type 2 immune responses, epithelial repair at mucosal tissues and metabolic homeostasis. ILC2 rapidly provide large amounts of type 2 signature cytokines, thereby driving type 2 immune responses such as the defense against helminths. However, if deregulated, ILC2 facilitate tissue fibrosis and trigger unwanted type 2 immunopathologies such as allergies, asthma and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, ILC2 need to be tightly regulated and we are just beginning to understand which mediators activate or inhibit this rare but important cell population. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about positive and negative regulation of ILC2 and discuss its immunological consequences.
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22
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Zhang Y. Potential therapeutic targets from genetic and epigenetic approaches for asthma. World J Transl Med 2016; 5:14-25. [DOI: 10.5528/wjtm.v5.i1.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a complex disorder characterised by inflammation of airway and symptoms of wheeze and shortness of breath. Allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis are immunoglobulin E (IgE) related diseases. Current therapies targeting asthma rely on non-specific medication to control airway inflammation and prevent symptoms. Severe asthma remains difficult to treat. Genetic and genomic approaches of asthma and IgE identified many novel loci underling the disease pathophysiology. Recent epigenetic approaches also revealed the insights of DNA methylation and chromatin modification on histones in asthma and IgE. More than 30 microRNAs have been identified to have regulating roles in asthma. Understanding the pathways of the novel genetic loci and epigenetic elements in asthma and IgE will provide new therapeutic means for clinical management of the disease in future.
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Human eosinophil activin A synthesis and mRNA stabilization are induced by the combination of IL-3 plus TNF. Immunol Cell Biol 2016; 94:701-8. [PMID: 27001469 PMCID: PMC4980187 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2016.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Eosinophils contribute to immune regulation and wound healing/fibrosis in various diseases including asthma. Growing appreciation for the role of activin A in such processes led us to hypothesize that eosinophils are a source of this TGF-β superfamily member. TNFα (TNF) induces activin A by other cell types and is often present at the site of allergic inflammation along with the eosinophil activating common β (βc) chain-signaling cytokines (IL-5, IL-3, GM-CSF). Previously, we established that the combination of TNF plus a βc chain-signaling cytokine synergistically induces eosinophil synthesis of the remodeling enzyme MMP-9. Therefore, eosinophils were stimulated ex vivo by these cytokines and in vivo through an allergen-induced airway inflammatory response. In contrast to IL-5+TNF or GM-CSF+TNF, the combination of IL-3+TNF synergistically induced activin A synthesis and release by human blood eosinophils. IL-3+TNF enhanced activin A mRNA stability, which required sustained signaling of pathways downstream of p38 and ERK MAP kinases. In vivo, following segmental airway allergen challenge of subjects with mild allergic asthma, activin A mRNA was upregulated in airway eosinophils compared to circulating eosinophils, and ex vivo, circulating eosinophils tended to release activin A in response to IL-3+TNF. These data provide evidence that eosinophils release activin A and that this function is enhanced when eosinophils are present in an allergen-induced inflammatory environment. Moreover, these data provide the first evidence for post-transcriptional control of activin A mRNA. We propose that, an environment rich in IL-3+TNF will lead to eosinophil–derived activin A, which plays an important role in regulating inflammation and/or fibrosis.
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24
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Lee JK, Choi SM, Lee J, Park YS, Lee CH, Yim JJ, Yoo CG, Kim YW, Han SK, Lee SM. Serum activin-A as a predictive and prognostic marker in critically ill patients with sepsis. Respirology 2016; 21:891-7. [PMID: 26969968 DOI: 10.1111/resp.12751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2015] [Revised: 11/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE There are limited data regarding serum activin-A as a biomarker for sepsis. We examined whether serum activin-A concentration could predict sepsis severity and prognosis in the management of critically ill patients with sepsis. METHODS The subjects were adult patients suspected of having sepsis and admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) from January 2013 to March 2014. Serum activin-A concentration was measured in blood sampled within 48 h after ICU admission. The primary and secondary outcomes were the diagnostic value of serum activin-A concentration as a biomarker of sepsis and the prognostic value for predicting the clinical outcomes of sepsis, respectively. RESULTS One hundred and thirty patients who had clinically suspected sepsis were included. Most (66.2%) were male; their median age was 65 years, and their Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 22.3. Serum activin-A concentration tended to increase with sepsis severity and differed significantly between those with non-sepsis and severe sepsis and between those with severe sepsis and septic shock. The risks of sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock were significantly higher in patients with a serum activin-A concentration of 251, 319 and 432 pg/mL or greater, respectively. Serum activin-A concentration was significantly associated with the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, Charlson comorbidity index and ICU mortality. CONCLUSION Serum activin-A was a predictor of sepsis severity and a prognostic marker in critically ill patients with sepsis. Serum activin-A concentration in the early phase of sepsis was associated with prognostic indexes on ICU admission and with ICU mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Kyu Lee
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun Mi Choi
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jinwoo Lee
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Sik Park
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang Hoon Lee
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae-Joon Yim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chul-Gyu Yoo
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Whan Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Koo Han
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang-Min Lee
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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Samitas K, Poulos N, Semitekolou M, Morianos I, Tousa S, Economidou E, Robinson DS, Kariyawasam HH, Zervas E, Corrigan CJ, Ying S, Xanthou G, Gaga M. Activin-A is overexpressed in severe asthma and is implicated in angiogenic processes. Eur Respir J 2016; 47:769-82. [PMID: 26869672 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00437-2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Activin-A is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates allergic inflammation. Its role in the regulation of angiogenesis, a key feature of airways remodelling in asthma, remains unexplored. Our objective was to investigate the expression of activin-A in asthma and its effects on angiogenesis in vitro.Expression of soluble/immunoreactive activin-A and its receptors was measured in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and endobronchial biopsies from 16 healthy controls, 19 patients with mild/moderate asthma and 22 severely asthmatic patients. In vitro effects of activin-A on baseline and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced human endothelial cell angiogenesis, signalling and cytokine release were compared with BALF concentrations of these cytokines in vivo.Activin-A expression was significantly elevated in serum, BALF and bronchial tissue of the asthmatics, while expression of its protein receptors was reduced. In vitro, activin-A suppressed VEGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis, inducing autocrine production of anti-angiogenic soluble VEGF receptor (R)1 and interleukin (IL)-18, while reducing production of pro-angiogenic VEGFR2 and IL-17. In parallel, BALF concentrations of soluble VEGFR1 and IL-18 were significantly reduced in severe asthmatics in vivo and inversely correlated with angiogenesis.Activin-A is overexpressed and has anti-angiogenic effects in vitro that are not propagated in vivo, where reduced basal expression of its receptors is observed particularly in severe asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Samitas
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece 7th Respiratory Medicine Department and Asthma Centre, Athens Chest Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece These authors contributed equally
| | - Nikolaos Poulos
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece These authors contributed equally
| | - Maria Semitekolou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece These authors contributed equally
| | - Ioannis Morianos
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sofia Tousa
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Erasmia Economidou
- 7th Respiratory Medicine Department and Asthma Centre, Athens Chest Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece
| | - Douglas S Robinson
- Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre for Mechanisms of Allergic Asthma, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Harsha H Kariyawasam
- Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre for Mechanisms of Allergic Asthma, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK Department of Allergy and Medical Rhinology, Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, University College, London, UK
| | - Eleftherios Zervas
- 7th Respiratory Medicine Department and Asthma Centre, Athens Chest Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece
| | - Christopher J Corrigan
- Department of Asthma, Allergy and Respiratory Science, King's College London School of Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sun Ying
- Department of Asthma, Allergy and Respiratory Science, King's College London School of Medicine, London, UK
| | - Georgina Xanthou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece Both authors contributed equally
| | - Mina Gaga
- 7th Respiratory Medicine Department and Asthma Centre, Athens Chest Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece Both authors contributed equally
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26
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Murphy TM, Wong CCY, Arseneault L, Burrage J, Macdonald R, Hannon E, Fisher HL, Ambler A, Moffitt TE, Caspi A, Mill J. Methylomic markers of persistent childhood asthma: a longitudinal study of asthma-discordant monozygotic twins. Clin Epigenetics 2015; 7:130. [PMID: 26691723 PMCID: PMC4684622 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-015-0163-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is the most common chronic inflammatory disorder in children. The aetiology of asthma pathology is complex and highly heterogeneous, involving the interplay between genetic and environmental risk factors that is hypothesized to involve epigenetic processes. Our aim was to explore whether methylomic variation in early childhood is associated with discordance for asthma symptoms within monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs recruited from the Environmental Risk (E-Risk) longitudinal twin study. We also aimed to identify differences in DNA methylation that are associated with asthma that develops in childhood and persists into early adulthood as these may represent useful prognostic biomarkers. RESULTS We examined genome-wide patterns of DNA methylation in buccal cell samples collected from 37 MZ twin pairs discordant for asthma at age 10. DNA methylation at individual CpG sites demonstrated significant variability within discordant MZ twin pairs with the top-ranked nominally significant differentially methylated position (DMP) located in the HGSNAT gene. We stratified our analysis by assessing DNA methylation differences in a sub-group of MZ twin pairs who remained persistently discordant for asthma at age 18. The top-ranked nominally significant DMP associated with persisting asthma is located in the vicinity of the HLX gene, which has been previously implicated in childhood asthma. CONCLUSIONS We identified DNA methylation differences associated with childhood asthma in peripheral DNA samples from discordant MZ twin pairs. Our data suggest that differences in DNA methylation associated with childhood asthma which persists into early adulthood are distinct from those associated with asthma which remits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Therese M Murphy
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Chloe C Y Wong
- MRC Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Louise Arseneault
- MRC Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Joe Burrage
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Ruby Macdonald
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Eilis Hannon
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Helen L Fisher
- MRC Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Antony Ambler
- MRC Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Terrie E Moffitt
- MRC Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK ; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC USA ; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical School, Durham, NC USA
| | - Avshalom Caspi
- MRC Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK ; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC USA ; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical School, Durham, NC USA
| | - Jonathan Mill
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK ; MRC Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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Sharkey DJ, Schjenken JE, Mottershead DG, Robertson SA. Seminal fluid factors regulate activin A and follistatin synthesis in female cervical epithelial cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2015; 417:178-90. [PMID: 26415587 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Seminal fluid induces pro-inflammatory cytokines and elicits an inflammation-like response in the cervix. Here, Affymetrix microarray and qPCR was utilised to identify activin A (INHBA) and its inhibitor follistatin (FST) amongst the cytokines induced by seminal plasma in Ect1 ectocervical epithelial cells, and a similar response was confirmed in primary ectocervical epithelial cells. TGFB is abundant in seminal plasma and all three TGFB isoforms induced INHBA in Ect1 and primary cells, and neutralisation of TGFB in seminal plasma suppressed the INHBA response. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide in seminal plasma also elicited INHBA, but potently suppressed FST production. There was moderate reciprocal inhibition between FST and INHBA, and cross-attenuating effects were seen. These data identify TGFB and potentially LPS as factors mediating seminal plasma-induced INHBA synthesis in cervical cells. INHBA and FST induced by seminal fluid in cervical tissues may thus contribute to regulation of the post-coital response in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Sharkey
- Robinson Research Institute and School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - John E Schjenken
- Robinson Research Institute and School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - David G Mottershead
- Robinson Research Institute and School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sarah A Robertson
- Robinson Research Institute and School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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28
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Denney L, Byrne AJ, Shea TJ, Buckley JS, Pease JE, Herledan GMF, Walker SA, Gregory LG, Lloyd CM. Pulmonary Epithelial Cell-Derived Cytokine TGF-β1 Is a Critical Cofactor for Enhanced Innate Lymphoid Cell Function. Immunity 2015; 43:945-58. [PMID: 26588780 PMCID: PMC4658339 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2015.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial cells orchestrate pulmonary homeostasis and pathogen defense and play a crucial role in the initiation of allergic immune responses. Maintaining the balance between homeostasis and inappropriate immune activation and associated pathology is particularly complex at mucosal sites that are exposed to billions of potentially antigenic particles daily. We demonstrated that epithelial cell-derived cytokine TGF-β had a central role in the generation of the pulmonary immune response. Mice that specifically lacked epithelial cell-derived TGF-β1 displayed a reduction in type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), resulting in suppression of interleukin-13 and hallmark features of the allergic response including airway hyperreactivity. ILCs in the airway lumen were primed to respond to TGF-β by expressing the receptor TGF-βRII and ILC chemoactivity was enhanced by TGF-β. These data demonstrate that resident epithelial cells instruct immune cells, highlighting the central role of the local environmental niche in defining the nature and magnitude of immune reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Denney
- Inflammation, Repair & Development, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Adam J Byrne
- Inflammation, Repair & Development, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Thomas J Shea
- Inflammation, Repair & Development, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ UK
| | - James S Buckley
- Inflammation, Repair & Development, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ UK
| | - James E Pease
- Inflammation, Repair & Development, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Gaelle M F Herledan
- Inflammation, Repair & Development, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Simone A Walker
- Inflammation, Repair & Development, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Lisa G Gregory
- Inflammation, Repair & Development, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Clare M Lloyd
- Inflammation, Repair & Development, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ UK.
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29
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Saglani S, Lloyd CM. Novel concepts in airway inflammation and remodelling in asthma. Eur Respir J 2015; 46:1796-804. [PMID: 26541520 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01196-2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The hallmark pathological features of asthma include airway eosinophilic inflammation and structural changes (remodelling) which are associated with an irreversible loss in lung function that tracks from childhood to adulthood. In parallel with changes in function, pathological abnormalities occur early, during the pre-school years, are established by school age and subsequently remain (even though symptoms may remit for periods during adulthood). Given the equal importance of inflammation and remodelling in asthma pathogenesis, there is a significant disparity in studies undertaken to investigate the contribution of each. The majority focus on the role of inflammation, and although novel therapeutics such as those targeted against T-helper cell type 2 (Th2) mediators have arisen, it is apparent that targeting inflammation alone has not allowed disease modification. Therefore, unless airway remodelling is addressed for future therapeutic strategies, it is unlikely that we will progress towards a cure for asthma. Having acknowledged these limitations, the focus of this review is to highlight the gaps in our current knowledge about the mechanisms underlying airway remodelling, the relationships between remodelling, inflammation and function, remodelling and clinical phenotypes, and the importance of utilising innovative and realistic pre-clinical models to uncover effective, disease-modifying therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sejal Saglani
- Inflammation, Repair and Development Section, National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK Dept of Respiratory Paediatrics, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK
| | - Clare M Lloyd
- Inflammation, Repair and Development Section, National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
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30
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Verhamme FM, Bracke KR, Joos GF, Brusselle GG. Transforming growth factor-β superfamily in obstructive lung diseases. more suspects than TGF-β alone. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2015; 52:653-62. [PMID: 25396302 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2014-0282rt] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are respiratory disorders and a major global health problem with increasing incidence and severity. Genes originally associated with lung development could be relevant in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma, owing to either an early-life origin of adult complex diseases or their dysregulation in adulthood upon exposure to environmental stressors (e.g., smoking). The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily is conserved through evolution and is involved in a range of biological processes, both during development and in adult tissue homeostasis. TGF-β1 has emerged as an important regulator of lung and immune system development. However, considerable evidence has been presented for a role of many of the other ligands of the TGF-β superfamily in lung pathology, including activins, bone morphogenetic proteins, and growth differentiation factors. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the mechanisms by which activin, bone morphogenetic protein, and growth differentiation factor signaling contribute to the pathogenesis of obstructive airway diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fien M Verhamme
- Laboratory for Translational Research in Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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31
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Rochman M, Kartashov A, Caldwell J, Collins M, Stucke E, Kc K, Sherrill J, Herren J, Barski A, Rothenberg M. Neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor 1 is a direct transcriptional and epigenetic target of IL-13 involved in allergic inflammation. Mucosal Immunol 2015; 8:785-98. [PMID: 25389033 PMCID: PMC4429043 DOI: 10.1038/mi.2014.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Although interleukin (IL)-13 and neurotrophins are functionally important for the pathogenesis of immune responses, the interaction of these pathways has not been explored. Herein, by interrogating IL-13-induced responses in human epithelial cells we show that neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor, type 1 (NTRK1), a cognate, high-affinity receptor for nerve growth factor (NGF), is an early transcriptional IL-13 target. Induction of NTRK1 was accompanied by accumulation of activating epigenetic marks in the promoter; transcriptional and epigenetic changes were signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 dependent. Using eosinophilic esophagitis as a model for human allergic inflammation, we found that NTRK1 was increased in inflamed tissue and dynamically expressed as a function of disease activity and that the downstream mediator of NTRK1 signaling early growth response 1 protein was elevated in allergic inflammatory tissue compared with control tissue. Unlike NTRK1, its ligand NGF was constitutively expressed in control and disease states, indicating that IL-13-stimulated NTRK1 induction is a limiting factor in pathway activation. In epithelial cells, NGF and IL-13 synergistically induced several target genes, including chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 26 (eotaxin-3). In summary, we have demonstrated that IL-13 confers epithelial cell responsiveness to NGF by regulating NTRK1 levels by a transcriptional and epigenetic mechanism and that this process likely contributes to allergic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Rochman
- Divisions of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026, USA
| | - A.V. Kartashov
- Divisions of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026, USA
| | - J.M. Caldwell
- Divisions of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026, USA
| | - M.H. Collins
- Divisions of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026, USA
| | - E.M. Stucke
- Divisions of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026, USA
| | - K. Kc
- Divisions of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026, USA
| | - J.D. Sherrill
- Divisions of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026, USA
| | - J. Herren
- Divisions of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026, USA
| | - A. Barski
- Divisions of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026, USA
| | - M.E. Rothenberg
- Divisions of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026, USA
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32
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Yang Y, Zhang N, Crombruggen KV, Lan F, Hu G, Hong S, Bachert C. Differential Expression and Release of Activin A and Follistatin in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with and without Nasal Polyps. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0128564. [PMID: 26030615 PMCID: PMC4451080 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic rhinosinusitis with (CRSwNP) and without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) should be regarded as distinct clinical entities based on differential inflammatory mediator and remodeling profiles. Activin A, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, plays an important role in inflammation and remodeling in the lower airways, although its expression and release in the upper airways remain undescribed. OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of activin A and its inhibitor follistatin in nasal tissue samples from CRSsNP and CRSwNP patients, and to monitor the spontaneous release of these molecules in a human mucosal model. METHODS Protein levels were determined using ELISA for activin A, follistatin, TGF-β1 and indicator proteins (IL-5, ECP, IFNγ) in 13 CRSsNP, 23 CRSwNP, and 10 control samples. The spontaneous release rate and the release ratios of activin A, follistatin and TGF-β1 were determined in 9 CRSsNP and 7 CRSwNP tissue fragments cultured ex-vivo. The induction of activin A and TGF-β1 by one another was studied in 7 CRSsNP tissue fragments cultured ex-vivo. RESULTS Significantly higher concentrations of activin A, follistatin, TGF-β1, and IFNγ were observed in CRSsNP compared with CRSwNP samples, whereas the concentrations of IL-5 and ECP were significantly lower. Follistatin was positively and linearly correlated with activin A in CRSsNP and CRSwNP. Activin A, follistatin and TGF-β1 were all spontaneously released by the samples, although the relative ratios released by tissue fragments from CRSsNP and CRSwNP samples were significantly different, with a higher follistatin/activin A-ratio and a follistatin/TGFß1-ratio (with less overall TGF-β1) in CRSwNP than in CRSsNP. Furthermore, TGF-β1 enhanced activin A secretion in CRSsNP tissue fragments cultured ex-vivo. CONCLUSION The differences in tissue concentrations and spontaneous release rates for activin A and follistatin in different CRS samples support the hypothesis that CRSsNP and CRSwNP are two distinct disease entities with respect to remodeling patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yucheng Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Nan Zhang
- Upper Airway Research Laboratory, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Koen Van Crombruggen
- Upper Airway Research Laboratory, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Feng Lan
- Upper Airway Research Laboratory, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guohua Hu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Suling Hong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Claus Bachert
- Upper Airway Research Laboratory, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Division of Nose, Throat and Ear Diseases, Clintec, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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33
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Hardy CL, King SJ, Mifsud NA, Hedger MP, Phillips DJ, Mackay F, de Kretser DM, Wilson JW, Rolland JM, O'Hehir RE. The activin A antagonist follistatin inhibits cystic fibrosis-like lung inflammation and pathology. Immunol Cell Biol 2015; 93:567-74. [PMID: 25753271 PMCID: PMC4495664 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2015.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Revised: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-limiting genetically acquired respiratory disorder. Patients with CF have thick mucus obstructing the airways leading to recurrent infections, bronchiectasis and neutrophilic airway inflammation culminating in deteriorating lung function. Current management targets airway infection and mucus clearance, but despite recent advances in care, life expectancy is still only 40 years. We investigated whether activin A is elevated in CF lung disease and whether inhibiting activin A with its natural antagonist follistatin retards lung disease progression. We measured serum activin A levels, lung function and nutritional status in CF patients. We studied the effect of activin A on CF lung pathogenesis by treating newborn CF transgenic mice (β-ENaC) intranasally with the natural activin A antagonist follistatin. Activin A levels were elevated in the serum of adult CF patients, and correlated inversely with lung function and body mass index. Follistatin treatment of newborn β-ENaC mice, noted for respiratory pathology mimicking human CF, decreased the airway activin A levels and key features of CF lung disease including mucus hypersecretion, airway neutrophilia and levels of mediators that regulate inflammation and chemotaxis. Follistatin treatment also increased body weight and survival of β-ENaC mice, with no evidence of local or systemic toxicity. Our findings demonstrate that activin A levels are elevated in CF and provide proof-of-concept for the use of the activin A antagonist, follistatin, as a therapeutic in the long-term management of lung disease in CF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles L Hardy
- 1] Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Immunology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Susannah J King
- Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicole A Mifsud
- 1] Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark P Hedger
- MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - David J Phillips
- MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fabienne Mackay
- Department of Immunology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David M de Kretser
- 1] MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - John W Wilson
- 1] Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer M Rolland
- 1] Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Immunology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robyn E O'Hehir
- 1] Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Immunology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [3] Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Al-Alawi M, Hassan T, Chotirmall SH. Transforming growth factor β and severe asthma: a perfect storm. Respir Med 2014; 108:1409-23. [PMID: 25240764 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2014.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Revised: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease involving complex interplay between resident and infiltrative cells, which in turn are regulated by a wide range of host mediators. Identifying useful biomarkers correlating with clinical symptoms and degree of airway obstruction remain important to effective future asthma treatments. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a major mediator involved in pro-inflammatory responses and fibrotic tissue remodeling within the asthmatic lung. Its role however, as a therapeutic target remains controversial. The aim of this review is to highlight its role in severe asthma including interactions with adaptive T-helper cells, cytokines and differentiation through regulatory T-cells. Associations between TGF-β and eosinophils will be addressed and the effects of genetic polymorphisms of the TGF-β1 gene explored in the context of asthma. We highlight TGF-β1 as a potential future therapeutic target in severe asthma including its importance in identifying emerging clinical phenotypes in asthmatic subjects who may be suitable for individualized therapy through TGF-β modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mazen Al-Alawi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland
| | - Tidi Hassan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland
| | - Sanjay H Chotirmall
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
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Xu L, Xiang X, Ji X, Wang W, Luo M, Luo S, Li K, Gong S, Liu S, Ma L, Chen P, Li J. Effects and mechanism of dehydroepiandrosterone on epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bronchial epithelial cells. Exp Lung Res 2014; 40:211-21. [PMID: 24784499 DOI: 10.3109/01902148.2013.879966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic persistent asthma is characterized by airway remodeling, in which epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) may play a significant role. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a steroid hormone and testosterone analog, is considered as an important immunomodulating hormone. However, its role in EMT remains unclear. We sought to investigate whether transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) stimulates human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE-14o) to undergo EMT, and whether this transition can be abrogated by DHEA. METHODS The 16HBE-14o cells were stimulated with 5 ng/ml TGF-β1 for 3 days to induce EMT, with or without DHEA pretreatment, and assayed for epithelial or mesenchymal markers using Western Blot. The involvement of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) -mediated signaling pathway was also evaluated, the epithelial cells were also incubated with pharmacological approaches (agonists and antagonists of Akt, LY294002 or IGF-1) or flutamide, the antagonist of androgen receptor. Results were analyzed using nonparametric statistical tests. RESULTS Our data demonstrate that treatment of 16HBE-14o cells with TGF-β1 for 3 days induced EMT as reflected by conversion to the spindle-like morphology, loss of E-cadherin, and acquisition of a-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA). Pretreatment of 16HBE-14o cells with DHEA preserved the epithelial-like morphology, restored the expression of E-cadherin, and abolished the activation of a-SMA, and this effect is a PI3K-dependent mechanism. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that TGF-β1 induces EMT in a PI3K-dependent manner in 16HBE-14o cells. DHEA inhibits the bronchial epithelial to mesenchymal transition via the inhibition of PI3K/Akt-dependent signal pathway stimulated by TGF-β1. Therefore, DHEA may be a useful therapy for asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xu
- 1Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha City, Hunan Province, China
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Circulating conventional and plasmacytoid dendritic cell subsets display distinct kinetics during in vivo repeated allergen skin challenges in atopic subjects. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:231036. [PMID: 24877070 PMCID: PMC4022198 DOI: 10.1155/2014/231036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 04/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Upon allergen challenge, DC subsets are recruited to target sites under the influence of chemotactic agents; however, details pertinent to their trafficking remain largely unknown. We investigated the kinetic profiles of blood and skin-infiltrating DC subsets in twelve atopic subjects receiving six weekly intradermal allergen and diluent injections. The role of activin-A, a cytokine induced in allergic and tissue repair processes, on the chemotactic profiles of DC subsets was also examined. Plasmacytoid (pDCs) and conventional DCs (cDCs) were evaluated at various time-points in the blood and skin. In situ activin-A expression was assessed in the skin and its effects on chemokine receptor expression of isolated cDCs were investigated. Blood pDCs were reduced 1 h after challenge, while cDCs decreased gradually within 24 h. Skin cDCs increased significantly 24 h after the first challenge, inversely correlating with blood cDCs. Activin-A in the skin increased 24 h after the first allergen challenge and correlated with infiltrating cDCs. Activin-A increased the CCR10/CCR4 expression ratio in cultured human cDCs. DC subsets demonstrate distinct kinetic profiles in the blood and skin especially during acute allergic inflammation, pointing to disparate roles depending on each phase of the inflammatory response. The effects of activin-A on modulating the chemotactic profile of cDCs suggest it may be a plausible therapeutic target for allergic diseases.
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Miller M, Rosenthal P, Beppu A, Mueller JL, Hoffman HM, Tam AB, Doherty TA, McGeough MD, Pena CA, Suzukawa M, Niwa M, Broide DH. ORMDL3 transgenic mice have increased airway remodeling and airway responsiveness characteristic of asthma. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 192:3475-87. [PMID: 24623133 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1303047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Orosomucoid-like (ORMDL)3 has been strongly linked with asthma in genetic association studies. Because allergen challenge induces lung ORMDL3 expression in wild-type mice, we have generated human ORMDL3 zona pellucida 3 Cre (hORMDL3(zp3-Cre)) mice that overexpress human ORMDL3 universally to investigate the role of ORMDL3 in regulating airway inflammation and remodeling. These hORMDL3(zp3-Cre) mice have significantly increased levels of airway remodeling, including increased airway smooth muscle, subepithelial fibrosis, and mucus. hORMDL3(zp3-Cre) mice had spontaneously increased airway responsiveness to methacholine compared to wild-type mice. This increased airway remodeling was associated with selective activation of the unfolded protein response pathway transcription factor ATF6 (but not Ire1 or PERK). The ATF6 target gene SERCA2b, implicated in airway remodeling in asthma, was strongly induced in the lungs of hORMDL3(zp3-Cre) mice. Additionally, increased levels of expression of genes associated with airway remodeling (TGF-β1, ADAM8) were detected in airway epithelium of these mice. Increased levels of airway remodeling preceded increased levels of airway inflammation in hORMDL3(zp3-Cre) mice. hORMDL3(zp3-Cre) mice had increased levels of IgE, with no change in levels of IgG, IgM, and IgA. These studies provide evidence that ORMDL3 plays an important role in vivo in airway remodeling potentially through ATF6 target genes such as SERCA2b and/or through ATF6-independent genes (TGF-β1, ADAM8).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Miller
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
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van der Velden JLJ, Hoffman SM, Alcorn JF, Tully JE, Chapman DG, Lahue KG, Guala AS, Lundblad LKA, Aliyeva M, Daphtary N, Irvin CG, Janssen-Heininger YMW. Absence of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase 1 protects against house dust mite-induced pulmonary remodeling but not airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2014; 306:L866-75. [PMID: 24610935 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00153.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic allergic asthma leads to airway remodeling and subepithelial fibrosis via mechanisms not fully understood. Airway remodeling is amplified by profibrotic mediators, such as transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), which plays a cardinal role in various models of fibrosis. We recently have identified a critical role for c-Jun-NH2-terminal-kinase (JNK) 1 in augmenting the profibrotic effects of TGF-β1, linked to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of airway epithelial cells. To examine the role of JNK1 in house dust mite (HDM)-induced airway remodeling, we induced allergic airway inflammation in wild-type (WT) and JNK1-/- mice by intranasal administration of HDM extract. WT and JNK1-/- mice were sensitized with intranasal aspirations of HDM extract for 15 days over 3 wk. HDM caused similar increases in airway hyperresponsiveness, mucus metaplasia, and airway inflammation in WT and JNK1-/- mice. In addition, the profibrotic cytokine TGF-β1 and phosphorylation of Smad3 were equally increased in WT and JNK1-/- mice. In contrast, increases in collagen content in lung tissue induced by HDM were significantly attenuated in JNK1-/- mice compared with WT controls. Furthermore HDM-induced increases of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) protein and mRNA expression as well as the mesenchymal markers high-mobility group AT-hook 2 and collagen1A1 in WT mice were attenuated in JNK1-/- mice. The let-7 family of microRNAs has previously been linked to fibrosis. HDM exposure in WT mice and primary lung epithelial cells resulted in striking decreases in let-7g miRNA that were not observed in mice or primary lung epithelial cells lacking JNK1-/- mice. Overexpression of let-7g in lung epithelial cells reversed the HDM-induced increases in α-SMA. Collectively, these findings demonstrate an important requirement for JNK1 in promoting HDM-induced fibrotic airway remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jos L J van der Velden
- Dept. of Pathology, Univ. of Vermont Health Sciences Research Facility, Rm. 216A Burlington, VT 05405. )
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Gregory LG, Jones CP, Mathie SA, Pegorier S, Lloyd CM. Endothelin-1 directs airway remodeling and hyper-reactivity in a murine asthma model. Allergy 2013; 68:1579-88. [PMID: 24117726 PMCID: PMC3992903 DOI: 10.1111/all.12271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Background The current paradigm describing asthma pathogenesis recognizes the central role of abnormal epithelial function in the generation and maintenance of the disease. However, the mechanisms responsible for the initiation of airway remodeling, which contributes to decreased lung function, remain elusive. Therefore, we aimed to determine the role of altered pulmonary gene expression in disease inception and identify proremodeling mediators. Methods Using an adenoviral vector, we generated mice overexpressing smad2, a TGF-β and activin A signaling molecule, in the lung. Animals were exposed to intranasal ovalbumin (OVA) without systemic sensitization. Results Control mice exposed to inhaled OVA showed no evidence of pulmonary inflammation, indices of remodeling, or airway hyper-reactivity. In contrast, local smad2 overexpression provoked airway hyper-reactivity in OVA-treated mice, concomitant with increased airway smooth muscle mass and peribronchial collagen deposition. Pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation was not evident, and there was no change in serum IgE or IgG1 levels. The profound remodeling changes were not mediated by classical pro-inflammatory Th2 cytokines. However, uric acid and interleukin-1β levels in the lung were increased. Epithelial-derived endothelin-1 and fibroblast growth factor were also augmented in smad2-expressing mice. Blocking endothelin-1 prevented these phenotypic changes. Conclusions Innate epithelial-derived mediators are sufficient to drive airway hyper-reactivity and remodeling in response to environmental insults in the absence of overt Th2-type inflammation in a model of noneosinophilic, noninflammed types of asthma. Targeting potential asthma therapies to epithelial cell function and modulation of locally released mediators may represent an effective avenue for therapeutic design.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. G. Gregory
- Leukocyte Biology Section National Heart and Lung Institute Imperial College London UK
| | - C. P. Jones
- Leukocyte Biology Section National Heart and Lung Institute Imperial College London UK
| | - S. A. Mathie
- Leukocyte Biology Section National Heart and Lung Institute Imperial College London UK
| | - S. Pegorier
- Leukocyte Biology Section National Heart and Lung Institute Imperial College London UK
| | - C. M. Lloyd
- Leukocyte Biology Section National Heart and Lung Institute Imperial College London UK
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Activin-A exerts a crucial anti-inflammatory role in neonatal infections. Pediatr Res 2013; 74:675-81. [PMID: 24002335 DOI: 10.1038/pr.2013.159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2012] [Accepted: 04/24/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Activin-A is a cytokine with a critical role in infections and associated inflammation in experimental models and humans. Still, the effects of activin-A on neonatal infections remain elusive. Here, we investigated the expression of activin-A in the serum of septicemic preterm and term neonates and in peripheral blood leukocytes stimulated with inflammatory agents in vitro. The role of activin-A in the regulation of inflammatory responses by neonatal leukocytes was delineated. METHODS Peripheral blood was obtained from 37 septicemic neonates between the first and fifth days postinfection and from 35 healthy controls. Isolated monocytes and lymphocytes were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in vitro in the presence of activin-A. Cell proliferation, cytokine, and chemokine release were investigated. RESULTS Activin-A was significantly increased in the serum of preterm septicemic neonates. Neonatal leukocytes secreted copious amounts of activin-A following stimulation, pointing to these cells as an essential source of activin-A in the circulation. Of note, treatment of neonatal leukocytes with activin-A during PHA and LPS stimulation resulted in significantly decreased interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and CXCL8 production, concomitant with a striking increase in the anti-inflammatory mediator, IL-10. CONCLUSION Our findings uncover activin-A as a novel immunomodulatory agent critical for the control of inflammatory responses in septicemic neonates.
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Li G, Fox J, Liu Z, Liu J, Gao GF, Jin Y, Gao H, Wu M. Lyn mitigates mouse airway remodeling by downregulating the TGF-β3 isoform in house dust mite models. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 191:5359-70. [PMID: 24127553 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1301596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chronic airway remodeling is a serious consequence of asthma, which is caused by complex but largely unknown mechanisms. Despite versatile functions, the role of Lyn in chronic airway remodeling remains undefined. Using Lyn(-/-) mice, we show that continual exposure (for 8 wk) of house dust mite extracts induced a severe phenotype of chronic airway remodeling, including exacerbated mucus production, collagen deposition, dysregulated cytokine secretion, and elevated inflammation. Strikingly, a significant increase in TGF-β3 rather than TGF-β1 was observed in Lyn(-/-) mouse lungs compared with lungs in wild-type mice. Furthermore, TGF-β3 neutralizing Abs not only inhibited the expression of STAT6 and Smad2/3 but also decreased phosphorylation of Smad2 and NF-κB in Lyn(-/-) mouse lungs. In addition, both recombinant and adenoviral TGF-β3 significantly promoted epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and intensified collagen I production and MUC5AC expression. Further examination of chronic asthma patients showed that a decreased Lyn correlated with the severity of airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion. Finally, Lyn may critically regulate airway remodeling by directly interacting with TGF-β3. Collectively, these findings revealed that Lyn regulates TGF-β3 isoform and modulates the development of airway remodeling, which may have therapeutic implications for severe chronic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoping Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58203
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Hedger MP, de Kretser DM. The activins and their binding protein, follistatin-Diagnostic and therapeutic targets in inflammatory disease and fibrosis. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2013; 24:285-95. [PMID: 23541927 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2013.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Accepted: 03/05/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The activins, as members of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, are pleiotrophic regulators of cell development and function, including cells of the myeloid and lymphoid lineages. Clinical and animal studies have shown that activin levels increase in both acute and chronic inflammation, and are frequently indicators of disease severity. Moreover, inhibition of activin action can reduce inflammation, damage, fibrosis and morbidity/mortality in various disease models. Consequently, activin A and, more recently, activin B are emerging as important diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets in inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. Activin antagonists such as follistatin, an endogenous activin-binding protein, offer considerable promise as therapies in conditions as diverse as sepsis, liver fibrosis, acute lung injury, asthma, wound healing and ischaemia-reperfusion injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Hedger
- Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Activin, neutrophils, and inflammation: just coincidence? Semin Immunopathol 2013; 35:481-99. [PMID: 23385857 PMCID: PMC7101603 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-013-0365-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 01/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
During the 26 years that have elapsed since its discovery, activin-A, a member of the transforming growth factor β super-family originally discovered from its capacity to stimulate follicle-stimulating hormone production by cultured pituitary gonadotropes, has been established as a key regulator of various fundamental biological processes, such as development, homeostasis, inflammation, and tissue remodeling. Deregulated expression of activin-A has been observed in several human diseases characterized by an immuno-inflammatory and/or tissue remodeling component in their pathophysiology. Various cell types have been recognized as sources of activin-A, and plentiful, occasionally contradicting, functions have been described mainly by in vitro studies. Not surprisingly, both harmful and protective roles have been postulated for activin-A in the context of several disorders. Recent findings have further expanded the functional repertoire of this molecule demonstrating that its ectopic overexpression in mouse airways can cause pathology that simulates faithfully human acute respiratory distress syndrome, a disorder characterized by strong involvement of neutrophils. This finding when considered together with the recent discovery that neutrophils constitute an important source of activin-A in vivo and earlier observations of upregulated activin-A expression in diseases characterized by strong activation of neutrophils may collectively imply a more intimate link between activin-A expression and neutrophil reactivity. In this review, we provide an outline of the functional repertoire of activin-A and suggest that this growth factor functions as a guardian of homeostasis, a modulator of immunity and an orchestrator of tissue repair activities. In this context, a relationship between activin-A and neutrophils may be anything but coincidental.
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Wu H, Chen Y, Winnall WR, Phillips DJ, Hedger MP. Regulation of activin A release from murine bone marrow-derived neutrophil precursors by tumour necrosis factor-α and insulin. Cytokine 2013; 61:199-204. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2012.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Revised: 08/06/2012] [Accepted: 09/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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de Kretser DM, O'Hehir RE, Hardy CL, Hedger MP. The roles of activin A and its binding protein, follistatin, in inflammation and tissue repair. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2012; 359:101-6. [PMID: 22037168 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2011.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2011] [Revised: 10/06/2011] [Accepted: 10/13/2011] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily of cytokines, is a critical controller of inflammation, immunity and fibrosis. It is rapidly released into the blood following a lipopolysaccharide challenge in experimental animals, through activation of the Toll-like receptor 4 signalling pathway. Blocking activin action by pre-treatment with its binding protein, follistatin, modifies the inflammatory cytokine cascade, and reduces the severity of the subsequent inflammatory response and mortality. Likewise, high serum levels of activin A are predictive of death in patients with septicaemia. However, activin A has complex immunomodulatory actions. It is produced by inflammatory macrophages, but can regulate either pro- or anti-inflammatory responses in these cells, depending on their prior activation status. Activin A is also produced by Th2 cells, and stimulates antibody production by B cells and the development of regulatory T cells. Production of activin A during inflammatory responses stimulates fibrosis and tissue remodelling, and follistatin inhibits these actions of activin A. The modulation of activin by follistatin may represent an important therapeutic target for the modulation and amelioration of inflammatory and fibrotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M de Kretser
- Monash Institute of Medical Research and the Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Clayton Victoria 3800, Australia.
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Wu H, Chen Y, Winnall WR, Phillips DJ, Hedger MP. Acute regulation of activin A and its binding protein, follistatin, in serum and tissues following lipopolysaccharide treatment of adult male mice. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2012; 303:R665-75. [PMID: 22855279 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00478.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor-β family, increases in the circulation within 1 h after administration of bacterial LPS. To clarify the origins of this rapid increase, the distribution of activin A and its binding protein, follistatin, and their production following LPS treatment, were assessed in adult male mice. In untreated mice, activin A was detectable in all 23 tissues examined, with highest mRNA expression (as measured by quantitative RT-PCR) was found in the liver, and the largest concentration of activin A protein (by ELISA) was found in the bone marrow. Likewise, follistatin mRNA and protein were present in all tissues, with highest expression in the vas deferens. Activin A and follistatin mRNA did not increase significantly in any tissue within the first hour after LPS, but activin A protein decreased by 35% in the bone marrow and increased 5-fold in the lung. No significant changes were observed in any other tissue. Activin A reached a peak in the circulation 1 h following LPS, and then declined. Cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein translation, reduced this increase of activin A by more than 50%. Actinomycin D, an inhibitor of mRNA transcription, had no effect. Circulating follistatin did not increase until 4 h after LPS and was not affected by either inhibitor. These data indicate that the rapid increase in circulating activin A during LPS-induced inflammation is regulated at the posttranscriptional level, apparently from newly translated and stored protein, and implicate bone marrow-derived cells, and, in particular, neutrophils, as a significant source of this preformed activin A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wu
- Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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MiR-375 is downregulated in epithelial cells after IL-13 stimulation and regulates an IL-13-induced epithelial transcriptome. Mucosal Immunol 2012; 5:388-96. [PMID: 22453679 PMCID: PMC4154234 DOI: 10.1038/mi.2012.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin 13 (IL-13)-induced epithelial gene and protein expression changes are central to the pathogenesis of multiple allergic diseases. Herein, using human esophageal squamous and bronchial columnar epithelial cells, we identified microRNAs (miRNAs) that were differentially regulated after IL-13 stimulation. Among the IL-13-regulated miRNAs, miR-375 showed a conserved pattern of downregulation. Furthermore, miR-375 was downregulated in the lung of IL-13 lung transgenic mice. We subsequently analyzed miR-375 levels in a human disease characterized by IL-13 overproduction--the allergic disorder eosinophilic esophagitis (EE)--and observed downregulation of miR-375 in EE patient samples compared with control patients. MiR-375 expression levels reflected disease activity, normalized with remission, and inversely correlated with the degree of allergic inflammation. Using a lentiviral strategy and whole-transcriptome analysis in epithelial cells, miR-375 overexpression was sufficient to markedly modify IL-13-associated immunoinflammatory pathways in epithelial cells in vitro, further substantiating interactions between miR-375 and IL-13. Taken together, our results support a key role of miRNAs, particularly miR-375, in regulating and fine-tuning IL-13-mediated responses.
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Budd DC, Holmes AM. Targeting TGFβ superfamily ligand accessory proteins as novel therapeutics for chronic lung disorders. Pharmacol Ther 2012; 135:279-91. [PMID: 22722064 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2012.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) pathway has been implicated to underlie a number of disease indications including chronic lung disorders such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial pneumonias, and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Consequently, the pharmaceutical industry has devoted significant resources in the pursuit of TGFβ pathway inhibitors that target the cognate type I and II receptors and respective ligands. The progress of these approaches has been painfully slow, due in part to dose-limiting safety issues that result from the antagonism of a pathway that is responsible for regulating many fundamental biological processes including immune surveillance and cardiovascular responses. These disappointments have led many in the field to conclude that modulating the TGFβ pathway for chronic indications with a sufficient safety window using conventional approaches may be extremely difficult to achieve. Here we review the rationale and limitations of the use of TGFβ pathway inhibitors in chronic lung disorders and the possibility of targeting TGFβ superfamily ligand accessory proteins to allow rheostatic regulation of signaling to achieve efficacy while maintaining a sufficient therapeutic index.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Budd
- Respiratory Drug Discovery, Inflammation, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., Nutley, NJ, USA.
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Jones CP, Gregory LG, Causton B, Campbell GA, Lloyd CM. Activin A and TGF-β promote T(H)9 cell-mediated pulmonary allergic pathology. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2012; 129:1000-10.e3. [PMID: 22277204 PMCID: PMC3385370 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.12.965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2011] [Revised: 11/29/2011] [Accepted: 12/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND IL-9-secreting (T(H)9) T cells are thought to represent a distinct T-cell subset. However, evidence for their functionality in disease is uncertain. OBJECTIVE To define a functional phenotype for T(H)9-driven pathology in vivo. METHODS We used fluorescence-activated cell sorting to identify circulating T(H)9 cells in atopic and nonatopic subjects. In mice we utilized a model of allergic airways disease induced by house dust mite to determine T(H)9 cell function in vivo and the role of activin A in T(H)9 generation. RESULTS Allergic patients have elevated T(H)9 cell numbers in comparison to nonatopic donors, which correlates with elevated IgE levels. In a murine model, allergen challenge with house dust mite leads to rapid T(H)9 differentiation and proliferation, with much faster kinetics than for T(H)2 cell differentiation, resulting in the specific recruitment and activation of mast cells. The TGF-β superfamily member activin A replicates the function of TGF-β1 in driving the in vitro generation of T(H)9 cells. Importantly, the in vivo inhibition of T(H)9 differentiation induced by allergen was achieved only when activin A and TGF-β were blocked in conjunction but not alone, resulting in reduced airway hyperreactivity and collagen deposition. Conversely, adoptive transfer of T(H)9 cells results in enhanced pathology. CONCLUSION Our data identify a distinct functional role for T(H)9 cells and outline a novel pathway for their generation in vitro and in vivo. Functionally, T(H)9 cells promote allergic responses resulting in enhanced pathology mediated by the specific recruitment and activation of mast cells in the lungs.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim is to update current understanding of the genes identified by the recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of asthma and its associated traits. The review also discusses how to dissect the functional roles of novel genes in future research. RECENT FINDINGS More than 10 GWAS aimed at identifying the genes underlying asthma and relevant traits have been published in the past 3 years. The largest of these was from the GABRIEL consortium, which discovered that the IL18R1, IL33, SMAD3, ORMDL3, HLA-DQ and IL2RB loci were all significantly associated with asthma. Many novel asthma genes, including those previously identified by positional cloning, are expressed within the respiratory epithelium, emphasizing the importance of epithelial barriers in causing asthma . The genes controlling IgE levels have surprisingly little overlap with the genes mediating asthma susceptibility, suggesting that atopy is secondary to asthma rather than a primary driver of the disease. The next challenge will be the systematic analysis of the precise functions of these genes in the pathogenesis of asthma. SUMMARY GWAS have uncovered many novel genes underlying asthma and detailed functional dissection of their roles in asthma will point the way to new therapies for the disease.
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