Early-life respiratory infections and developmental immunity determine lifelong lung health

Activated eosinophils in early-life impair lung development and promote long-term lung damage

Exaggeration of type 2 immune responses promotes lung inflammation and altered lung development; however, eosinophils, despite expansion in the postnatal lung, have not been specifically assessed in the context of neonatal lung disease. Furthermore, early-life factors including prematurity and respiratory infection predispose infants to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease later in life. To assess eosinophils in the developing lung and how they may contribute to chronic lung disease, we generated mice harboring eosinophil-specific deletion of the negative regulatory enzyme SHIP-1. This increased the activity and number of pulmonary eosinophils in the developing lung, which was associated with impaired lung development, expansion of activated alveolar macrophages (AMφ), multinucleated giant cell formation, enlargement of airspaces, and fibrosis. Despite regression of eosinophils following completion of lung development, AMφ-dominated inflammation persisted, alongside lung damage. Bone marrow chimera studies showed that SHIP-1-deficient eosinophils were not sufficient to drive inflammatory lung disease in adult steady-state mice but once inflammation and damage was present, it could not be resolved. Depletion of eosinophils during alveolarization alleviated pulmonary inflammation and lung pathology, demonstrating an eosinophil-intrinsic effect. These results show that the presence of activated eosinophils during alveolarization aggravates AMφs and promotes sustained inflammation and long-lasting lung pathology.

Nanomaterials-assisted gene editing and synthetic biology for optimizing the treatment of pulmonary diseases

The use of nanomaterials in gene editing and synthetic biology has emerged as a pivotal strategy in the pursuit of refined treatment methodologies for pulmonary disorders. This review discusses the utilization of nanomaterial-assisted gene editing tools and synthetic biology techniques to promote the development of more precise and efficient treatments for pulmonary diseases. First, we briefly outline the characterization of the respiratory system and succinctly describe the principal applications of diverse nanomaterials in lung ailment treatment. Second, we elaborate on gene-editing tools, their configurations, and assorted delivery methods, while delving into the present state of nanomaterial-facilitated gene-editing interventions for a spectrum of pulmonary diseases. Subsequently, we briefly expound on synthetic biology and its deployment in biomedicine, focusing on research advances in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary conditions against the backdrop of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Finally, we summarize the extant lacunae in current research and delineate prospects for advancement in this domain. This holistic approach augments the development of pioneering solutions in lung disease treatment, thereby endowing patients with more efficacious and personalized therapeutic alternatives.

Advanced nanomedicines and immunotherapeutics to treat respiratory diseases especially COVID-19 induced thrombosis

Immunotherapy and associated immune regulation strategies gained huge attraction in order to be utilized for treatment and prevention of respiratory diseases. Engineering specifically nanomedicines can be used to regulate host immunity in lungs in the case of respiratory diseases including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. COVID-19 causes pulmonary embolisms, thus new therapeutic options are required to target thrombosis, as conventional treatment options are either not effective due to the complexity of the immune-thrombosis pathophysiology. In this review, we discuss regulation of immune response in respiratory diseases especially COVID-19. We further discuss thrombosis and provide an overview of some antithrombotic nanoparticles, which can be used to develop nanomedicine against thrombo-inflammation induced by COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases. We also elaborate the importance of immunomodulatory nanomedicines that can block pro-inflammatory signalling pathways, and thus can be recommended to treat respiratory infectious diseases.

Association of Fetal Lung Development Disorders with Adult Diseases: A Comprehensive Review

Fetal lung development is a crucial and complex process that lays the groundwork for postnatal respiratory health. However, disruptions in this delicate developmental journey can lead to fetal lung development disorders, impacting neonatal outcomes and potentially influencing health outcomes well into adulthood. Recent research has shed light on the intriguing association between fetal lung development disorders and the development of adult diseases. Understanding these links can provide valuable insights into the developmental origins of health and disease, paving the way for targeted preventive measures and clinical interventions. This review article aims to comprehensively explore the association of fetal lung development disorders with adult diseases. We delve into the stages of fetal lung development, examining key factors influencing fetal lung maturation. Subsequently, we investigate specific fetal lung development disorders, such as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), and other abnormalities. Furthermore, we explore the potential mechanisms underlying these associations, considering the role of epigenetic modifications, transgenerational effects, and intrauterine environmental factors. Additionally, we examine the epidemiological evidence and clinical findings linking fetal lung development disorders to adult respiratory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other respiratory ailments. This review provides valuable insights for healthcare professionals and researchers, guiding future investigations and shaping strategies for preventive interventions and long-term care.

Association of residential land cover and wheezing among children and adolescents: A cross-sectional study in five provinces of China

The association between residential land cover (RLC) and wheezing remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the association between RLC and wheezing in childhood and adolescence. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among children and adolescents in five provinces of China. Land cover data were obtained from the Cross-Resolution Land-Cover mapping framework based on noisy label learning, classifying land cover into five categories: cropland, forest, grass/shrubland, wetland, and impervious. Generalized linear mixed models were employed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk of wheezing. Mediation analysis was employed to investigate whether ambient particulate matter (PM2.5) acts as a mediator in the association between RLC and wheezing. A total of 12,875 participants were included in the study, comprising 318 patients and 12,557 controls. Cropland500m was significantly associated with decreased odds of wheezing (OR: 0.929, 95% CI: 0.879-0.982), while impervious surfaces500m significantly was associated with increased odds of wheezing (OR: 1.056, 95% CI: 1.019-1.096) in all participants. In the stratified analysis, significant differences were found in the main outcomes between the adolescence group (age ≥10 years) and the childhood group (age <10 years) (Pinteraction < 0.05), while no significant differences were observed between the southern and northern regions, or between male and female respondents. Mediation analysis revealed that PM2.5 partially mediated the association between cropland500m and impervious surfaces500m with wheezing. RLC plays a significant role in wheezing during childhood and adolescence, with cropland offering protection and impervious surfaces posing a heightened risk.

Harnessing human microbiomes for disease prediction

The human microbiome has been increasingly recognized as having potential use for disease prediction. Predicting the risk, progression, and severity of diseases holds promise to transform clinical practice, empower patient decisions, and reduce the burden of various common diseases, as has been demonstrated for cardiovascular disease or breast cancer. Combining multiple modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, including high-dimensional genomic data, has been traditionally favored, but few studies have incorporated the human microbiome into models for predicting the prospective risk of disease. Here, we review research into the use of the human microbiome for disease prediction with a particular focus on prospective studies as well as the modulation and engineering of the microbiome as a therapeutic strategy.

The Effect of Probiotics in a Milk Replacer on Leukocyte Differential Counts, Phenotype, and Function in Neonatal Dairy Calves

Probiotics have been investigated for many health benefits; however, few studies have been performed to determine the effects of oral probiotics on peripheral blood and respiratory immune cells in cattle. Our objectives were to determine changes in health and growth status, differential blood cell counts and function, and blood and lung cell function using flow cytometry and PCR in dairy calves fed a milk replacer with (PRO, N = 10) or without (CON, N = 10) the addition of probiotics to the milk replacer and dry rations from birth to weaning. Performance and clinical scores were not different between the treatment groups. Treatment-by-day interactions for peripheral blood leukocyte populations differed in cell number and percentages. A greater percentage of leukocytes expressed the cell surface markers CD3, CD4, CD8, CD11b, and CD205 on d 21 in CON animals. Lung lavages were performed on five animals from each treatment group on d 52. There were no differences between treatment groups for the expression of cytokines and Toll-Like Receptors as measured using Polymerase Chain Reaction, possibly due to the small sample size. Oral probiotics appear to affect peripheral blood immune cells and function. Their effect on overall calf health remains to be determined.

Laboratory mice with a wild microbiota generate strong allergic immune responses

Allergic disorders are caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. The hygiene hypothesis postulates that early-life microbial exposures impede the development of subsequent allergic disease. Recently developed "wildling" mice are genetically identical to standard laboratory specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice but are housed under seminatural conditions and have rich microbial exposures from birth. Thus, by comparing conventional SPF mice with wildlings, we can uncouple the impact of lifelong microbial exposures from genetic factors on the allergic immune response. We found that wildlings developed larger populations of antigen-experienced T cells than conventional SPF mice, which included interleukin-10-producing CD4 T cells specific for commensal Lactobacilli strains and allergy-promoting T helper 2 (TH2) cells. In models of airway exposure to house dust mite (HDM), recombinant interleukin-33, or Alternaria alternata, wildlings developed strong allergic inflammation, characterized by eosinophil recruitment, goblet cell metaplasia, and antigen-specific immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgE responses. Wildlings developed robust de novo TH2 cell responses to incoming allergens, whereas preexisting TH2 cells could also be recruited into the allergic immune response in a cytokine-driven and TCR-independent fashion. Thus, wildling mice, which experience diverse and lifelong microbial exposures, were not protected from developing pathological allergic immune responses. Instead, wildlings mounted robust allergic responses to incoming allergens, shedding new light on the hygiene hypothesis.