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Salminen A. Inhibitory immune checkpoints suppress the surveillance of senescent cells promoting their accumulation with aging and in age-related diseases. Biogerontology 2024:10.1007/s10522-024-10114-w. [PMID: 38954358 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-024-10114-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The accumulation of pro-inflammatory senescent cells within tissues is a common hallmark of the aging process and many age-related diseases. This modification has been called the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and observed in cultured cells and in cells isolated from aged tissues. Currently, there is a debate whether the accumulation of senescent cells within tissues should be attributed to increased generation of senescent cells or to a defect in their elimination from aging tissues. Emerging studies have revealed that senescent cells display an increased expression of several inhibitory immune checkpoint ligands, especially those of the programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) ligand-1 (PD-L1) proteins. It is known that the PD-L1 ligands, especially those of cancer cells, target the PD-1 receptor of cytotoxic CD8+ T and natural killer (NK) cells disturbing their functions, e.g., evoking a decline in their cytotoxic activity and promoting their exhaustion and even apoptosis. An increase in the level of the PD-L1 protein in senescent cells was able to suppress their immune surveillance and inhibit their elimination by cytotoxic CD8+ T and NK cells. Senescent cells are known to express ligands for several inhibitory immune checkpoint receptors, i.e., PD-1, LILRB4, NKG2A, TIM-3, and SIRPα receptors. Here, I will briefly describe those pathways and examine whether these inhibitory checkpoints could be involved in the immune evasion of senescent cells with aging and age-related diseases. It seems plausible that an enhanced inhibitory checkpoint signaling can prevent the elimination of senescent cells from tissues and thus promote the aging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antero Salminen
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
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2
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Salminen A. The role of the immunosuppressive PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint pathway in the aging process and age-related diseases. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:733-750. [PMID: 38600305 PMCID: PMC11106179 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02444-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The accumulation of senescent cells within tissues is a hallmark of the aging process. Senescent cells are also commonly present in many age-related diseases and in the cancer microenvironment. The escape of abnormal cells from immune surveillance indicates that there is some defect in the function of cytotoxic immune cells, e.g., CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Recent studies have revealed that the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein is abundantly increased in senescent cells. An increase in the amount of PD-L1 protein protects senescent cells from clearance by the PD-1 checkpoint receptor in cytotoxic immune cells. In fact, the activation of the PD-1 receptor suppresses the cytotoxic properties of CD8+ T and NK cells, promoting a state of immunosenescence. The inhibitory PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint pathway acts in cooperation with immunosuppressive cells; for example, activation of PD-1 receptor can enhance the differentiation of regulatory T cells (Treg), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), and M2 macrophages, whereas the cytokines secreted by immunosuppressive cells stimulate the expression of the immunosuppressive PD-L1 protein. Interestingly, many signaling pathways known to promote cellular senescence and the aging process are crucial stimulators of the expression of PD-L1 protein, e.g., epigenetic regulation, inflammatory mediators, mTOR-related signaling, cGAS-STING pathway, and AhR signaling. It seems that the inhibitory PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint axis has a crucial role in the accumulation of senescent cells and thus it promotes the aging process in tissues. Thus, the blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint signaling might be a potential anti-aging senolytic therapy. KEY MESSAGES: Senescent cells accumulate within tissues during aging and age-related diseases. Senescent cells are able to escape immune surveillance by cytotoxic immune cells. Expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) markedly increases in senescent cells. Age-related signaling stimulates the expression of PD-L1 protein in senescent cells. Inhibitory PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint pathway suppresses clearance of senescent cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antero Salminen
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland.
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3
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Mirra D, Esposito R, Spaziano G, Sportiello L, Panico F, Squillante A, Falciani M, Cerqua I, Gallelli L, Cione E, D’Agostino B. MicroRNA Monitoring in Human Alveolar Macrophages from Patients with Smoking-Related Lung Diseases: A Preliminary Study. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1050. [PMID: 38791013 PMCID: PMC11118114 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that is commonly considered to be a potent driver of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) development and related mortality. A growing body of evidence supports a role of the immune system, mainly played by alveolar macrophages (AMs), in key axes regulating the development of COPD or NSCLC phenotypes in response to harmful agents. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that influence most biological processes and interfere with several regulatory pathways. The purpose of this study was to assess miRNA expression patterns in patients with COPD, NSCLC, and ever- or never-smoker controls to explore their involvement in smoking-related diseases. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens were collected from a prospective cohort of 43 sex-matched subjects to determine the expressions of hsa-miR-223-5p, 16-5p, 20a-5p, -17-5p, 34a-5p and 106a-5p by RT-PCR. In addition, a bioinformatic analysis of miRNA target genes linked to cancer was performed. Distinct and common miRNA expression levels were identified in each pathological group, suggesting their possible role as an index of NSCLC or COPD microenvironment. Moreover, we identified miRNA targets linked to carcinogenesis using in silico analysis. In conclusion, this study identified miRNA signatures in AMs, allowing us to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying smoking-related conditions and potentially providing new insights for diagnosis or pharmacological treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davida Mirra
- Department of Environmental Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (D.M.); (R.E.); (B.D.)
| | - Renata Esposito
- Department of Environmental Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (D.M.); (R.E.); (B.D.)
| | - Giuseppe Spaziano
- Department of Environmental Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (D.M.); (R.E.); (B.D.)
| | - Liberata Sportiello
- Campania Regional Centre for Pharmacovigilance and Pharmacoepidemiology, 80138 Naples, Italy;
- Department of Experimental Medicine-Section of Pharmacology “L. Donatelli”, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Panico
- Department of Health Sciences, University of “Magna Graecia”, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.P.); (L.G.)
| | | | - Maddalena Falciani
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Ospedale Scarlato, 84018 Scafati, Italy;
| | - Ida Cerqua
- Department of Pharmacy, University Federico II of Naples, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Luca Gallelli
- Department of Health Sciences, University of “Magna Graecia”, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.P.); (L.G.)
| | - Erika Cione
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy;
| | - Bruno D’Agostino
- Department of Environmental Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (D.M.); (R.E.); (B.D.)
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Riondino S, Rosenfeld R, Formica V, Morelli C, Parisi G, Torino F, Mariotti S, Roselli M. Effectiveness of Immunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients with a Diagnosis of COPD: Is This a Hidden Prognosticator for Survival and a Risk Factor for Immune-Related Adverse Events? Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1251. [PMID: 38610929 PMCID: PMC11011072 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The interplay between the immune system and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is complex and multifaceted. In COPD, chronic inflammation and oxidative stress can lead to immune dysfunction that can exacerbate lung damage, further worsening the respiratory symptoms. In NSCLC, immune cells can recognise and attack the cancer cells, which, however, can evade or suppress the immune response by various mechanisms, such as expressing immune checkpoint proteins or secreting immunosuppressive cytokines, thus creating an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment that promotes cancer progression and metastasis. The interaction between COPD and NSCLC further complicates the immune response. In patients with both diseases, COPD can impair the immune response against cancer cells by reducing or suppressing the activity of immune cells, or altering their cytokine profile. Moreover, anti-cancer treatments can also affect the immune system and worsen COPD symptoms by causing lung inflammation and fibrosis. Immunotherapy itself can also cause immune-related adverse events that could worsen the respiratory symptoms in patients with COPD-compromised lungs. In the present review, we tried to understand the interplay between the two pathologies and how the efficacy of immunotherapy in NSCLC patients with COPD is affected in these patients.
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Tirelli C, Mira S, Belmonte LA, De Filippi F, De Grassi M, Italia M, Maggioni S, Guido G, Mondoni M, Canonica GW, Centanni S. Exploring the Potential Role of Metabolomics in COPD: A Concise Review. Cells 2024; 13:475. [PMID: 38534319 DOI: 10.3390/cells13060475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a pathological condition of the respiratory system characterized by chronic airflow obstruction, associated with changes in the lung parenchyma (pulmonary emphysema), bronchi (chronic bronchitis) and bronchioles (small airways disease). In the last years, the importance of phenotyping and endotyping COPD patients has strongly emerged. Metabolomics refers to the study of metabolites (both intermediate or final products) and their biological processes in biomatrices. The application of metabolomics to respiratory diseases and, particularly, to COPD started more than one decade ago and since then the number of scientific publications on the topic has constantly grown. In respiratory diseases, metabolomic studies have focused on the detection of metabolites derived from biomatrices such as exhaled breath condensate, bronchoalveolar lavage, and also plasma, serum and urine. Mass Spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy are powerful tools in the precise identification of potentially prognostic and treatment response biomarkers. The aim of this article was to comprehensively review the relevant literature regarding the applications of metabolomics in COPD, clarifying the potential clinical utility of the metabolomic profile from several biologic matrices in detecting biomarkers of disease and prognosis for COPD. Meanwhile, a complete description of the technological instruments and techniques currently adopted in the metabolomics research will be described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Tirelli
- Respiratory Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Sabrina Mira
- Respiratory Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Alessandro Belmonte
- Respiratory Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Federica De Filippi
- Respiratory Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro De Grassi
- Respiratory Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Italia
- Respiratory Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Maggioni
- Respiratory Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriele Guido
- Respiratory Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Mondoni
- Respiratory Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Walter Canonica
- Personalized Medicine, Asthma and Allergy, IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Centanni
- Respiratory Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
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Reddy KD, Bizymi N, Schweikert A, Ananth S, Lim CX, Lodge KM, Joannes A, Ubags N, van der Does AM, Cloonan SM, Mailleux A, Mansouri N, Reynaert NL, Heijink IH, Cuevas-Ocaña S. ERS International Congress 2023: highlights from the Basic and Translational Sciences Assembly. ERJ Open Res 2024; 10:00875-2023. [PMID: 38686182 PMCID: PMC11057505 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00875-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Early career members of Assembly 3 (Basic and Translational Sciences) of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) summarise the key messages discussed during six selected sessions that took place at the ERS International Congress 2023 in Milan, Italy. Aligned with the theme of the congress, the first session covered is "Micro- and macro-environments and respiratory health", which is followed by a summary of the "Scientific year in review" session. Next, recent advances in experimental methodologies and new technologies are discussed from the "Tissue modelling and remodelling" session and a summary provided of the translational science session, "What did you always want to know about omics analyses for clinical practice?", which was organised as part of the ERS Translational Science initiative's aims. The "Lost in translation: new insights into cell-to-cell crosstalk in lung disease" session highlighted how next-generation sequencing can be integrated with laboratory methods, and a final summary of studies is presented from the "From the transcriptome landscape to innovative preclinical models in lung diseases" session, which links the transcriptome landscape with innovative preclinical models. The wide range of topics covered in the selected sessions and the high quality of the research discussed demonstrate the strength of the basic and translational science being presented at the international respiratory conference organised by the ERS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karosham Diren Reddy
- Epigenetics of Chronic Lung Disease Group, Forschungszentrum Borstel Leibniz Lungenzentrum, Borstel, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Nikoleta Bizymi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pneumonology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Anja Schweikert
- Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Sachin Ananth
- London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Clarice X. Lim
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Health, Clinic Penzing, Vienna, Austria
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Katharine M. Lodge
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Audrey Joannes
- Université de Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) – UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Niki Ubags
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anne M. van der Does
- PulmoScience Lab, Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne M. Cloonan
- School of Medicine, Trinity Biosciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Arnaud Mailleux
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, Physiopathologie et épidémiologie des maladies respiratoires, Paris, France
| | - Nahal Mansouri
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Niki L. Reynaert
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Irene H. Heijink
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen, The Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sara Cuevas-Ocaña
- Biodiscovery Institute, Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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7
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Mariniello DF, D’Agnano V, Cennamo D, Conte S, Quarcio G, Notizia L, Pagliaro R, Schiattarella A, Salvi R, Bianco A, Perrotta F. Comorbidities in COPD: Current and Future Treatment Challenges. J Clin Med 2024; 13:743. [PMID: 38337438 PMCID: PMC10856710 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13030743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous lung condition, primarily characterized by the presence of a limited airflow, due to abnormalities of the airways and/or alveoli, that often coexists with other chronic diseases such as lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders. Comorbidities are known to pose a challenge in the assessment and effective management of COPD and are also acknowledged to have an important health and economic burden. Local and systemic inflammation have been proposed as having a potential role in explaining the association between COPD and these comorbidities. Considering that the number of patients with COPD is expected to rise, understanding the mechanisms linking COPD with its comorbidities may help to identify new targets for therapeutic purposes based on multi-dimensional assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Francesca Mariniello
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.M.); (V.D.); (D.C.); (S.C.); (G.Q.); (L.N.); (R.P.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Vito D’Agnano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.M.); (V.D.); (D.C.); (S.C.); (G.Q.); (L.N.); (R.P.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Donatella Cennamo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.M.); (V.D.); (D.C.); (S.C.); (G.Q.); (L.N.); (R.P.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Stefano Conte
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.M.); (V.D.); (D.C.); (S.C.); (G.Q.); (L.N.); (R.P.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Gianluca Quarcio
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.M.); (V.D.); (D.C.); (S.C.); (G.Q.); (L.N.); (R.P.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Luca Notizia
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.M.); (V.D.); (D.C.); (S.C.); (G.Q.); (L.N.); (R.P.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Raffaella Pagliaro
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.M.); (V.D.); (D.C.); (S.C.); (G.Q.); (L.N.); (R.P.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Angela Schiattarella
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.M.); (V.D.); (D.C.); (S.C.); (G.Q.); (L.N.); (R.P.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Rosario Salvi
- U.O.C. Chirurgia Toracica, Azienda Ospedaliera “S.G. Moscati”, 83100 Avellino, Italy;
| | - Andrea Bianco
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.M.); (V.D.); (D.C.); (S.C.); (G.Q.); (L.N.); (R.P.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Fabio Perrotta
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.M.); (V.D.); (D.C.); (S.C.); (G.Q.); (L.N.); (R.P.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
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Rojas-Quintero J, Ochsner SA, New F, Divakar P, Yang CX, Wu TD, Robinson J, Chandrashekar DS, Banovich NE, Rosas IO, Sauler M, Kheradmand F, Gaggar A, Margaroli C, San Jose Estepar R, McKenna NJ, Polverino F. Spatial Transcriptomics Resolve an Emphysema-Specific Lymphoid Follicle B Cell Signature in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2024; 209:48-58. [PMID: 37934672 PMCID: PMC10870877 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202303-0507le] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Within chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema is characterized by a significant yet partially understood B cell immune component. Objectives: To characterize the transcriptomic signatures from lymphoid follicles (LFs) in ever-smokers without COPD and patients with COPD with varying degrees of emphysema. Methods: Lung sections from 40 patients with COPD and ever-smokers were used for LF proteomic and transcriptomic spatial profiling. Formalin- and O.C.T.-fixed lung samples obtained from biopsies or lung explants were assessed for LF presence. Emphysema measurements were obtained from clinical chest computed tomographic scans. High-confidence transcriptional target intersection analyses were conducted to resolve emphysema-induced transcriptional networks. Measurements and Main Results: Overall, 115 LFs from ever-smokers and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 1-2 and GOLD 3-4 patients were analyzed. No LFs were found in never-smokers. Differential gene expression analysis revealed significantly increased expression of LF assembly and B cell marker genes in subjects with severe emphysema. High-confidence transcriptional analysis revealed activation of an abnormal B cell activity signature in LFs (q-value = 2.56E-111). LFs from patients with GOLD 1-2 COPD with emphysema showed significantly increased expression of genes associated with antigen presentation, inflammation, and B cell activation and proliferation. LFs from patients with GOLD 1-2 COPD without emphysema showed an antiinflammatory profile. The extent of centrilobular emphysema was significantly associated with genes involved in B cell maturation and antibody production. Protein-RNA network analysis showed that LFs in emphysema have a unique signature skewed toward chronic B cell activation. Conclusions: An off-targeted B cell activation within LFs is associated with autoimmune-mediated emphysema pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott A. Ochsner
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Felicia New
- Spatial Data Analysis Services, Nanostring Biotechnologies, Seattle, Washington
| | - Prajan Divakar
- Spatial Data Analysis Services, Nanostring Biotechnologies, Seattle, Washington
| | - Chen Xi Yang
- Center for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Jerid Robinson
- Field Application Scientists, Nanostring Biotechnologies, Seattle, Washington
| | | | | | | | - Maor Sauler
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Farrah Kheradmand
- Pulmonary Division, Department of Medicine, and
- Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Amit Gaggar
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama; and
| | - Camilla Margaroli
- Pathology – Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Raul San Jose Estepar
- Applied Chest Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Neil J. McKenna
- Spatial Data Analysis Services, Nanostring Biotechnologies, Seattle, Washington
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Zhang X, Zeng J, Huang X, Li Z. When chronic obstructive pulmonary disease meets small cell lung cancer: an unusual case report of rapid progression. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:836. [PMID: 38082430 PMCID: PMC10714477 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04508-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disease and a risk factor for lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer is a neuroendocrine tumor with a high degree of malignancy and an overall five-year survival rate of less than 7%. CASES PRESENTATION Herein, we report the case of an 68-year-old male presented to the respiratory department with cough, sputum, and dyspnea. He was diagnosed as community acquired pneumonia and treated with intravenous anti-infection. Previous pulmonary function was definitively diagnosed as COPD. About 7 months after discharge, the patient returned to the hospital for cough and dyspnea. After diagnosis of the tumor, cisplatin, etoposide and durvalumab were administered. Finally the patient died of respiratory failure approximately 9 months after his diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS For COPD patients with immunocompromised manifestations, it is necessary to be alert to complications and shorten the follow-up interval of chest CT. COPD may accelerate the formation and progression of SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Guangyuan Central Hospital, 10 Lianhua Road, Lizhou District, Guangyuan City, 628000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jia Zeng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Guangyuan Central Hospital, 10 Lianhua Road, Lizhou District, Guangyuan City, 628000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xiyu Huang
- Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Cardiac Surgery Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, 610000, China
| | - Zhishu Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Guangyuan Central Hospital, 10 Lianhua Road, Lizhou District, Guangyuan City, 628000, Sichuan Province, China.
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300000, China.
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Phillips JD, Fay KA, Bergeron AJ, Zhang P, Mielcarz DW, Calkins AM, Searles TG, Christensen BC, Finley DJ, Turk MJ, Channon JY. The Effect of Lung Resection for NSCLC on Circulating Immune Cells: A Pilot Study. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:5116-5134. [PMID: 37232845 PMCID: PMC10217048 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30050387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
This pilot study sought to evaluate the circulating levels of immune cells, particularly regulatory T-cell (Treg) subsets, before and after lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer. Twenty-five patients consented and had specimens collected. Initially, peripheral blood of 21 patients was collected for circulating immune cell studies. Two of these patients were excluded due to technical issues, leaving 19 patients for the analyses of circulating immune cells. Standard gating and high-dimensional unsupervised clustering flow cytometry analyses were performed. The blood, tumors and lymph nodes were analyzed via single-cell RNA and TCR sequencing for Treg analyses in a total of five patients (including four additional patients from the initial 21 patients). Standard gating flow cytometry revealed a transient increase in neutrophils immediately following surgery, with a variable neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and a stable CD4-CD8 ratio. Unexpectedly, the total Treg and Treg subsets did not change with surgery with standard gating in short- or long-term follow-up. Similarly, unsupervised clustering of Tregs revealed a dominant cluster that was stable perioperatively and long-term. Two small FoxP3hi clusters slightly increased following surgery. In the longer-term follow-up, these small FoxP3hi Treg clusters were not identified, indicating that they were likely a response to surgery. Single-cell sequencing demonstrated six CD4+FoxP3+ clusters among the blood, tumors and lymph nodes. These clusters had a variable expression of FoxP3, and several were mainly, or only, present in tumor and lymph node tissue. As such, serial monitoring of circulating Tregs may be informative, but not completely reflective of the Tregs present in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D. Phillips
- Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Kayla A. Fay
- Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | | | - Peisheng Zhang
- DartLab, Dartmouth Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | | | | | - Tyler G. Searles
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Brock C. Christensen
- Departments of Epidemiology and Molecular & Systems Biology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - David J. Finley
- Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Mary Jo Turk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
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11
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Lung microRNAs Expression in Lung Cancer and COPD: A Preliminary Study. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030736. [PMID: 36979715 PMCID: PMC10045129 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the deadliest diseases worldwide and represents an impending burden on the healthcare system. Despite increasing attention, the mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis in cancer-related diseases such as COPD remain unclear, making novel biomarkers necessary to improve lung cancer early diagnosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA that interfere with several pathways and can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. This study aimed to compare miRNA lung expression between subjects with NSCLC and COPD and healthy controls to obtain the miRNA expression profile by analyzing shared pathways. Lung specimens were collected from a prospective cohort of 21 sex-matched subjects to determine the tissue miRNA expression of hsa-miR-34a-5p, 33a-5p, 149-3p, 197-3p, 199-5p, and 320a-3p by RT-PCR. In addition, an in silico prediction of miRNA target genes linked to cancer was performed. We found a specific trend for has-miR-149-3p, 197-3p, and 34a-5p in NSCLC, suggesting their possible role as an index of the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, we identified novel miRNA targets, such as the Cyclin-Dependent Kinase (CDK) family, linked to carcinogenesis by in silico analysis. In conclusion. this study identified lung miRNA signatures related to the tumorigenic microenvironment, suggesting their possible role in improving the evaluation of lung cancer onset.
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