1
|
Wrede D, Bordak M, Abraham Y, Mehedi M. Pulmonary Pathogen-Induced Epigenetic Modifications. EPIGENOMES 2023; 7:13. [PMID: 37489401 PMCID: PMC10366755 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes7030013] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics generally involves genetic control by factors other than our own DNA sequence. Recent research has focused on delineating the mechanisms of two major epigenetic phenomena: DNA methylation and histone modification. As epigenetics involves many cellular processes, it is no surprise that it can also influence disease-associated gene expression. A direct link between respiratory infections, host cell epigenetic regulations, and chronic lung diseases is still unknown. Recent studies have revealed bacterium- or virus-induced epigenetic changes in the host cells. In this review, we focused on respiratory pathogens (viruses, bacteria, and fungi) induced epigenetic modulations (DNA methylation and histone modification) that may contribute to lung disease pathophysiology by promoting host defense or allowing pathogen persistence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Masfique Mehedi
- School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA; (D.W.); (M.B.); (Y.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ochoa TJ, Bustamante B, Garcia C, Neyra E, Mendoza K, Calderón EJ, Le Gal S, Miller RF, Ponce CA, Nevez G, Vargas SL. Pneumocystis primary infection in non-immunosuppressed infants in Lima, Peru. J Mycol Med 2021; 32:101202. [PMID: 34598108 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2021.101202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To provide original data on Pneumocystis primary infection in non-immunosuppressed infants from Peru. METHODS A cross sectional study was performed. Infants less than seven months old, without any underlying medical conditions attending the "well baby" outpatient clinic at one hospital in Lima, Peru were prospectively enrolled during a 15-month period from November 2016 to February 2018. All had a nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) for detection of P. jirovecii DNA using a PCR assay, regardless of respiratory symptoms. P. jirovecii DNA detection was considered to represent pulmonary colonization contemporaneous with Pneumocystis primary infection. Associations between infants' clinical and demographic characteristics and results of P. jirovecii DNA detection were analyzed. RESULTS P. jirovecii DNA was detected in 45 of 146 infants (30.8%) and detection was not associated with concurrent respiratory symptoms in 40 of 45 infants. Infants with P. jirovecii had a lower mean age when compared to infants not colonized (p <0.05). The highest frequency of P. jirovecii was observed in 2-3-month-old infants (p < 0.01) and in the cooler winter and spring seasons (p <0.01). Multivariable analysis showed that infants living in a home with ≤ 1 bedroom were more likely to be colonized; Odds Ratio =3.03 (95%CI 1.31-7.00; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION Pneumocystis primary infection in this single site in Lima, Peru, was most frequently observed in 2-3-month-old infants, in winter and spring seasons, and with higher detection rates being associated with household conditions favoring close inter-individual contacts and potential transmission of P. jirovecii.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theresa J Ochoa
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Alexander von Humboldt", Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; School of Medicine, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú.
| | - Beatriz Bustamante
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Alexander von Humboldt", Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Hospital Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Coralith Garcia
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Alexander von Humboldt", Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; School of Medicine, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Hospital Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Edgar Neyra
- School of Medicine, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Genomic Research Unit, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Karina Mendoza
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Alexander von Humboldt", Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Enrique J Calderón
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain
| | - Solene Le Gal
- Groupe d'Étude des Interactions Hôte-Pathogène (GEIHP)-Université d'Angers, Université de Brest, Brest, France; Laboratoire de Mycologie et Parasitologie, CHRU de Brest, Brest, France
| | - Robert F Miller
- Centre for Clinical Research in Infection and Sexual Health, Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carolina A Ponce
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gilles Nevez
- Groupe d'Étude des Interactions Hôte-Pathogène (GEIHP)-Université d'Angers, Université de Brest, Brest, France; Laboratoire de Mycologie et Parasitologie, CHRU de Brest, Brest, France.
| | - Sergio L Vargas
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Morilla R, Medrano FJ, Calzada A, Quintana E, Campano E, Friaza V, Calderón EJ, de la Horra C. Pneumocystis jirovecii among patients with cystic fibrosis and their household members. Med Mycol 2021; 59:849-854. [PMID: 33693837 PMCID: PMC8754488 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myab010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We conducted a pilot study of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) to assess intra-family transmission of P. jirovecii and compare it with data on other prevalent pathogens such as P. aeruginosa and S. pneumoniae, in which respiratory transmission has already been documented. Oral swab samples from 10 patients with CF and 15 household members were collected at baseline and 2 weeks later. P. aeruginosa and S. pneumoniae were assessed using standardized culture methods and PCR, and P. jirovecii was assessed using real and nested PCR, genotyping the positive samples by direct sequencing. P. aeruginosa cultures were positive for 7/10 (70%) of patients with CF at baseline and was identified by PCR in 8/10 (80%) of cases at baseline and 2 weeks later. S. pneumoniae cultures were negative for all patients, but the microorganism was identified by PCR in two cases. P. jirovecii was detected by real time and nested PCR in 5/10 (50%) of the patients at the two time points. In the household members, P. aeruginosa and P. jirovecii were identified in 7/15 (46.7%), and S. pneumoniae was identified in 8/15 (53,3%). The concordance of positive or negative pairs of patients with CF and their household members was 33.3% (5/15) for P. aeruginosa, 46.7% (7/15) for S. pneumonia and 93.3% (14/15) for P. jirovecii. The concordance for P. jirovecii genotypes among five pairs with available genotype was 100%. This study suggests for the first time the possible transmission of Pneumocystis in the home of patients with CF, indicating that patients and their household members are reservoirs and possible sources of infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Morilla
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/ CSIC/ Universidad de Sevilla), 41013 Seville, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Seville, Spain.,Department of Nursing, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Francisco J Medrano
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/ CSIC/ Universidad de Sevilla), 41013 Seville, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Seville, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Ana Calzada
- Hospital Virgen de las Montañas de Villamartín, 11650 Cadiz, Spain
| | - Esther Quintana
- Unidad Médico-Quirúrgica de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Campano
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/ CSIC/ Universidad de Sevilla), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Vicente Friaza
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/ CSIC/ Universidad de Sevilla), 41013 Seville, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrique J Calderón
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/ CSIC/ Universidad de Sevilla), 41013 Seville, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Seville, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Carmen de la Horra
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/ CSIC/ Universidad de Sevilla), 41013 Seville, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Pharmacy, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Barcik W, Boutin RCT, Sokolowska M, Finlay BB. The Role of Lung and Gut Microbiota in the Pathology of Asthma. Immunity 2020; 52:241-255. [PMID: 32075727 PMCID: PMC7128389 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 289] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease affecting more than 300 million people worldwide. Clinical features of asthma and its immunological and molecular etiology vary significantly among patients. An understanding of the complexities of asthma has evolved to the point where precision medicine approaches, including microbiome analysis, are being increasingly recognized as an important part of disease management. Lung and gut microbiota play several important roles in the development, regulation, and maintenance of healthy immune responses. Dysbiosis and subsequent dysregulation of microbiota-related immunological processes affect the onset of the disease, its clinical characteristics, and responses to treatment. Bacteria and viruses are the most extensively studied microorganisms relating to asthma pathogenesis, but other microbes, including fungi and even archaea, can potently influence airway inflammation. This review focuses on recently discovered connections between lung and gut microbiota, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea, and their influence on asthma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weronika Barcik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rozlyn C T Boutin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Milena Sokolowska
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research, University of Zurich, Davos, Switzerland; Christine Kühne - Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK-CARE), Davos, Switzerland
| | - B Brett Finlay
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pérez FJ, Iturra PA, Ponce CA, Magne F, Garcia-Angulo V, Vargas SL. Niflumic Acid Reverses Airway Mucus Excess and Improves Survival in the Rat Model of Steroid-Induced Pneumocystis Pneumonia. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1522. [PMID: 31333624 PMCID: PMC6624676 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the role of adaptive immunity in fighting Pneumocystis infection is well known, the role of the innate, airway epithelium, responses remains largely unexplored. The concerted interaction of innate and adaptive responses is essential to successfully eradicate infection. Increased expression of goblet-cell-derived CLCA1 protein plus excess mucus in infant autopsy lungs and in murine models of primary Pneumocystis infection alert of innate immune system immunopathology associated to Pneumocystis infection. Nonetheless, whether blocking mucus-associated innate immune pathways decreases Pneumocystis-related immunopathology is unknown. Furthermore, current treatment of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) relying on anti-Pneumocystis drugs plus steroids is not ideal because removes cellular immune responses against the fungal pathogen. In this study, we used the steroid-induced rat model of PcP to evaluate inflammation and mucus progression, and tested the effect of niflumic acid (NFA), a fenamate-type drug with potent CLCA1 blocker activity, in decreasing Pneumocystis-associated immunopathology. In this model, animals acquire Pneumocystis spontaneously and pneumonia develops owing to the steroids-induced immunodeficiency. Steroids led to decreased animal weight evidencing severe immunosuppression and to significant Pneumocystis-associated pulmonary edema as evidenced by wet-to-dry lung ratios that doubled those of uninfected animals. Inflammatory cuffing infiltrates were noticed first around lung blood vessels followed by bronchi, and both increased progressively. Similarly, airway epithelial and lumen mucus progressively increased. This occurred in parallel to increasing levels of MUC5AC and mCLCA3, the murine homolog of hCLCA1. Administration of NFA caused a significant decrease in total mucus, MUC5AC and mCLCA3 and also, in Pneumocystis-associated inflammation. Most relevant, NFA treatment improved survival at 8 weeks of steroids. Results suggest an important role of innate immune responses in immunopathology of steroid-induced PcP. They warrant evaluation of CLCA1 blockers as adjunctive therapy in this condition and describe a simple model to evaluate therapeutic interventions for steroid resistant mucus, a common condition in patients with chronic lung disease like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Pérez
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo A Iturra
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina A Ponce
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fabien Magne
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Víctor Garcia-Angulo
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sergio L Vargas
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Méndez A, Rojas DA, Ponce CA, Bustamante R, Beltrán CJ, Toledo J, García-Angulo VA, Henriquez M, Vargas SL. Primary infection by Pneumocystis induces Notch-independent Clara cell mucin production in rat distal airways. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217684. [PMID: 31170201 PMCID: PMC6553854 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Clara cells are the main airway secretory cells able to regenerate epithelium in the distal airways through transdifferentiating into goblet cells, a process under negative regulation of the Notch pathway. Pneumocystis is a highly prevalent fungus in humans occurring between 2 and 5 months of age, a period when airways are still developing and respiratory morbidity typically increases. Pneumocystis induces mucus hyperproduction in immunocompetent host airways and whether it can stimulate Clara cells is unknown. Markers of Clara cell secretion and Notch1 activation were investigated in lungs of immunocompetent rats at 40, 60, and 80 days of age during Pneumocystis primary infection with and without Valproic acid (VPA), a Notch inducer. The proportion of rats expressing mucin increased in Pneumocystis-infected rats respect to controls at 60 and 80 days of age. Frequency of distal airways Clara cells was maintained while mRNA levels for the mucin-encoding genes Muc5B and Muc5ac in lung homogenates increased 1.9 and 3.9 times at 60 days of infection (P. = 0.1609 and P. = 0.0001, respectively) and protein levels of the Clara cell marker CC10 decreased in the Pneumocystis-infected rats at 60 and 80 days of age (P. = 0.0118 & P. = 0.0388). CC10 and Muc5b co-localized in distal airway epithelium of Pneumocystis-infected rats at day 60. Co-localization of Muc5b and Ki67 as marker of mitosis in distal airways was not observed suggesting that Muc5b production by Clara cells was independent of mitosis. Notch levels remained similar and no transnucleation of activated Notch associated to Pneumocystis infection was detected. Unexpectedly, mucus was greatly increased at day 80 in Pneumocystis-infected rats receiving VPA suggesting that a Notch-independent mechanism was triggered. Overall, data suggests a Clara to goblet cell transdifferentiation mechanism induced by Pneumocystis and independent of Notch.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Méndez
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Diego A. Rojas
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina A. Ponce
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rebeca Bustamante
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Caroll J. Beltrán
- Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile y Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jorge Toledo
- Laboratorio de Análisis Imágenes Científicas, SCIAN-lab, Instituto de Neurociencias Biomédicas (BNI), Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Victor A. García-Angulo
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mauricio Henriquez
- Programa de Fisiología y Biofísica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sergio L. Vargas
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Increase in secreted airway mucins and partial Muc5b STAT6/FoxA2 regulation during Pneumocystis primary infection. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2078. [PMID: 30765827 PMCID: PMC6376022 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39079-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway mucus responses to subclinical infections may explain variations in progression of chronic lung diseases and differences in clinical expression of respiratory infections across individuals. Pneumocystis associates to more severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, respiratory distress of premature newborns, and is a consistent subclinical infection between 2 and 5 months of age when hospitalizations for respiratory cause and infant mortality are higher. This atypical fungus associates to increased mucin 5AC (MUC5AC), a central effector of Th2-type allergic inflammation, in infant lungs. However, mucus progression, expression of MUC5B essential for airway defense, and potential for pharmacologic modulation of mucus during Pneumocystis infection remain unknown. We measured MUC5B and Pneumocystis in infant lungs, and progression of mucin levels and effect of inhibition of the STAT6/FoxA2 mucus pathway using Kaempferol, a JAK/STAT6 inhibitor, in immunocompetent rats during Pneumocystis primary infection. Pneumocystis associated to increased MUC5B in infant lungs. Muc5b increased earlier and more abundantly than Muc5ac during experimental primary infection suggesting an acute defensive response against Pneumocystis as described against bacteria, while increased Muc5ac levels supports an ongoing allergic, Th2 lymphocyte-type response during primary Pneumocystis infection. Kaempferol partly reversed Muc5b stimulation suggesting limited potential for pharmacological modulation via the STAT6-FoxA2 pathway.
Collapse
|
8
|
Saco TV, Breitzig MT, Lockey RF, Kolliputi N. Epigenetics of Mucus Hypersecretion in Chronic Respiratory Diseases. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2018; 58:299-309. [PMID: 29096066 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2017-0072tr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cystic fibrosis are three chronic pulmonary diseases that affect an estimated 420 million individuals across the globe. A key factor contributing to each of these conditions is mucus hypersecretion. Although management of these diseases is vastly studied, researchers have only begun to scratch the surface of the mechanisms contributing to mucus hypersecretion. Epigenetic regulation of mucus hypersecretion, other than microRNA post-translational modification, is even more scarcely researched. Detailed study of epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, could not only help to better the understanding of these respiratory conditions but also reveal new treatments for them. Because mucus hypersecretion is such a complex event, there are innumerable genes involved in the process, which are beyond the scope of a single review. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to narrow the focus and summarize specific epigenetic research that has been conducted on a few aspects of mucus hypersecretion in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, and some cancers. Specifically, this review emphasizes the contribution of DNA methylation and histone modification of particular genes involved in mucus hypersecretion to identify possible targets for the development of future therapies for these conditions. Elucidating the role of epigenetics in these respiratory diseases may provide a breath of fresh air to millions of affected individuals around the world.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tara V Saco
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Mason T Breitzig
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Richard F Lockey
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Narasaiah Kolliputi
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Iturra PA, Rojas DA, Pérez FJ, Méndez A, Ponce CA, Bonilla P, Bustamante R, Rodríguez H, Beltrán CJ, Vargas SL. Progression of Type 2 Helper T Cell-Type Inflammation and Airway Remodeling in a Rodent Model of Naturally Acquired Subclinical Primary Pneumocystis Infection. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2017; 188:417-431. [PMID: 29169991 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2017.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Subclinical primary Pneumocystis infection is the most common pulmonary infection in early infancy, making it important to determine whether it damages the lung. Pneumocystis peaks at 2 to 5 months of age, when respiratory morbidity coincidently increases. We have documented that Pneumocystis increases mucus production in infant lungs, and animal models reveal lung lesions that warrant characterization. Herein, immunocompetent rats infected at birth with Pneumocystis by cohabitation, to resemble community-acquired infection, underwent lung assessments at 45, 60, and 75 days of age. Lungs fixed by vascular perfusion to prevent collapse during necropsy were used for morphometry evaluations of mucus production, airway epithelial thickening, perivascular and peribronchiolar inflammation, and structural airway remodeling. Changes in these histologic features indicate lung disease. Selected immune markers were assessed in parallel using fresh-frozen lung tissue from sibling rats of the same cages. Sequential activation of NF-κB and an increased Gata3/T-bet mRNA level ratio, consistent with a type 2 helper T-cell-type inflammatory response, and subacute fibrosis were recognized. Therefore, documenting subclinical Pneumocystis infection induces lung disease in the immunocompetent host. Taken together with the peak age of primary Pneumocystis infection, results warrant investigating the clinical impact of this often subclinical infection on the severity of respiratory diseases in early infancy. This model can also be used to assess the effects of airway insults, including coinfections by recognized respiratory pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo A Iturra
- Microbiology and Mycology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Chile School of Medicine, Santiago, Chile
| | - Diego A Rojas
- Microbiology and Mycology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Chile School of Medicine, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco J Pérez
- Microbiology and Mycology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Chile School of Medicine, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrea Méndez
- Microbiology and Mycology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Chile School of Medicine, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina A Ponce
- Microbiology and Mycology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Chile School of Medicine, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paula Bonilla
- Microbiology and Mycology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Chile School of Medicine, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rebeca Bustamante
- Microbiology and Mycology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Chile School of Medicine, Santiago, Chile
| | - Héctor Rodríguez
- Anatomy and Developmental Biology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Chile School of Medicine, Santiago, Chile
| | - Caroll J Beltrán
- Gastroenterology Division, University Hospital, University of Chile School of Medicine, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sergio L Vargas
- Microbiology and Mycology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Chile School of Medicine, Santiago, Chile.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Eddens T, Elsegeiny W, Garcia-Hernadez MDLL, Castillo P, Trevejo-Nunez G, Serody K, Campfield BT, Khader SA, Chen K, Rangel-Moreno J, Kolls JK. Pneumocystis-Driven Inducible Bronchus-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Formation Requires Th2 and Th17 Immunity. Cell Rep 2017; 18:3078-3090. [PMID: 28355561 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (iBALT) is an ectopic lymphoid structure composed of highly organized T cell and B cell zones that forms in the lung in response to infectious or inflammatory stimuli. Here, we develop a model for fungal-mediated iBALT formation, using infection with Pneumocystis that induces development of pulmonary lymphoid follicles. Pneumocystis-dependent iBALT structure formation and organization required CXCL13 signaling. Cxcl13 expression was regulated by interleukin (IL)-17 family members, as Il17ra-/-, Il17rb-/-, and Il17rc-/- mice failed to develop iBALT. Interestingly, Il17rb-/- mice have intact Th17 responses, but failed to generate an anti-Pneumocystis Th2 response. Given a role for Th2 and Th17 immunity in iBALT formation, we demonstrated that primary pulmonary fibroblasts synergistically upregulated Cxcl13 transcription following dual stimulation with IL-13 and IL-17A in a STAT3/GATA3-dependent manner. Together, these findings uncover a role for Th2/Th17 cells in regulating Cxcl13 expression and provide an experimental model for fungal-driven iBALT formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Eddens
- Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Waleed Elsegeiny
- Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | | | - Patricia Castillo
- Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Giraldina Trevejo-Nunez
- Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Katelin Serody
- Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Brian T Campfield
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Shabaana A Khader
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kong Chen
- Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Javier Rangel-Moreno
- Department of Medicine, Allergy/Immunology, and Rheumatology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14624, USA
| | - Jay K Kolls
- Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hoving JC, Kolls JK. New advances in understanding the host immune response to Pneumocystis. Curr Opin Microbiol 2017; 40:65-71. [PMID: 29136537 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2017.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2017] [Revised: 10/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii causes clinical pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts. Despite this, the inability to cultivate this organism in vitro has likely hindered the field in ascertaining the true impact of Pneumocystis in human infection. However the recent release of the genome as well as in advances in understanding host genetics, and other risk factors for infection and robust experimental models of disease have shed new light on the impact of this fungal pathogen as to better define populations at risk. This review will highlight these recent advances as well as highlight future needed areas of research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Claire Hoving
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Jay K Kolls
- Center for Translational Research in Infection and Inflammation, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Eddens T, Campfield BT, Serody K, Manni ML, Horne W, Elsegeiny W, McHugh KJ, Pociask D, Chen K, Zheng M, Alcorn JF, Wenzel S, Kolls JK. A Novel CD4 + T Cell-Dependent Murine Model of Pneumocystis-driven Asthma-like Pathology. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2016; 194:807-820. [PMID: 27007260 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201511-2205oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Infection with Pneumocystis, an opportunistic fungal pathogen, can result in fulminant pneumonia in the clinical setting of patients with immunosuppression. In murine models, Pneumocystis has previously been shown to induce a CD4+ T cell-dependent eosinophilic response in the lung capable of providing protection. OBJECTIVES We sought to explore the role of Pneumocystis in generating asthma-like lung pathology, given the natural eosinophilic response to infection. METHODS Pneumocystis infection or antigen treatment was used to induce asthma-like pathology in wild-type mice. The roles of CD4+ T cells and eosinophils were examined using antibody depletion and knockout mice, respectively. The presence of anti-Pneumocystis antibodies in human serum samples was detected by ELISA and Western blotting. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Pneumocystis infection generates a strong type II response in the lung that requires CD4+ T cells. Pneumocystis infection was capable of priming a Th2 response similar to that of a commonly studied airway allergen, the house dust mite. Pneumocystis antigen treatment was also capable of inducing allergic inflammation in the lung, resulting in anti-Pneumocystis IgE production, goblet cell hyperplasia, and increased airway resistance. In the human population, patients with severe asthma had increased levels of anti-Pneumocystis IgG and IgE compared with healthy control subjects. Patients with severe asthma with elevated anti-Pneumocystis IgG levels had worsened symptom scores and lung parameters such as decreased forced expiratory volume and increased residual volume compared with patients with severe asthma who had low anti-Pneumocystis IgG. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrates for the first time, to our knowledge, that Pneumocystis is an airway allergen capable of inducing asthma-like lung pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Eddens
- 1 Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research and.,2 Department of Immunology
| | - Brian T Campfield
- 1 Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research and.,3 Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, and
| | - Katelin Serody
- 1 Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research and
| | - Michelle L Manni
- 4 Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - William Horne
- 1 Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research and
| | - Waleed Elsegeiny
- 1 Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research and.,2 Department of Immunology
| | - Kevin J McHugh
- 4 Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Derek Pociask
- 5 Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Critical Care, and Environmental Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Kong Chen
- 1 Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research and
| | - Mingquan Zheng
- 1 Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research and
| | - John F Alcorn
- 4 Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sally Wenzel
- 6 Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and
| | - Jay K Kolls
- 1 Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research and
| |
Collapse
|