Azithromycin promotes proliferation, and inhibits inflammation in nasal epithelial cells in primary ciliary dyskinesia

Insights from bioinformatics analysis reveal that lipopolysaccharide induces activation of chemokine-related signaling pathways in human nasal epithelial cells

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is known to elicit a robust immune response. This study aimed to investigate the impact of LPS on the transcriptome of human nasal epithelial cells (HNEpC). HNEpC were cultured and stimulated with LPS (1 μg/mL) or an equivalent amount of normal culture medium. Subsequently, total RNA was extracted, purified, and sequenced using next-generation RNA sequencing technology. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and subjected to functional enrichment analysis. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs was constructed, followed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) to identify molecular pathways influenced by LPS exposure on HNEpC. Validation of key genes was performed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). A total of 97 DEGs, comprising 48 up-regulated genes and 49 down-regulated genes, were identified. Results from functional enrichment analysis, PPI, and IPA indicated that DEGs were predominantly enriched in chemokine-related signaling pathways. Subsequent qRT-PCR validation demonstrated significant upregulation of key genes in these pathways in LPS-treated HNEpC compared to control cells. In conclusion, LPS intervention profoundly altered the transcriptome of HNEpC, potentially exacerbating inflammatory responses through the activation of chemokine-related signaling pathways.

The Inovirus Pf4 Triggers Antiviral Responses and Disrupts the Proliferation of Airway Basal Epithelial Cells

BACKGROUND

The inovirus Pf4 is a lysogenic bacteriophage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa). People with Cystic Fibrosis (pwCF) experience chronic airway infection with Pa and a significant proportion have high numbers of Pf4 in their airway secretions. Given the known severe damage in the airways of Pa-infected pwCF, we hypothesized a high Pf4 burden can affect airway healing and inflammatory responses. In the airway, basal epithelial cells (BCs) are a multipotent stem cell population critical to epithelium homeostasis and repair. We sought to investigate the transcriptional responses of BCs under conditions that emulate infection with Pa and exposure to high Pf4 burden.

METHODS

Primary BCs isolated from pwCF and wild-type (WT) donors were cultured in vitro and exposed to Pf4 or bacterial Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) followed by transcriptomic and functional assays.

RESULTS

We found that BCs internalized Pf4 and this elicits a strong antiviral response as well as neutrophil chemokine production. Further, we found that BCs that take up Pf4 demonstrate defective migration and proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings are highly suggestive of Pf4 playing a role in the pathogenicity of Pa in the airways. These findings provide additional evidence for the ability of inoviruses to interact with mammalian cells and disrupt cell function.

Clinical Efficacy of Ulinastatin Combined with Azithromycin in the Treatment of Severe Pneumonia in Children and the Effects on Inflammatory Cytokines and Oxidative Stress: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Purpose

This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of ulinastatin (UTI) and azithromycin (AZM) combination therapy in treating severe pneumonia in children and its impact on inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress.

Patients and Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 1, 2019, to January 1, 2021, involving pediatric patients diagnosed with severe mycoplasma pneumonia (SMPP). The pediatric patients were divided into two groups: those receiving UTI and AZM combination therapy (treatment group) and those receiving azithromycin alone (control group). We compared the two groups regarding clinical data, disease outcomes, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress levels.

Results

Baseline characteristics did not significantly differ between the two groups. UTI, in combination with AZM, significantly improved blood oxygen levels, inflammatory infection markers, and relevant clinical symptoms in patients with SMPP on the 3rd day of treatment. Additionally, it significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-a, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-10, as well as oxidative stress markers GSH and SOD.

Conclusion

Combining UTI and AZM can rapidly alleviate clinical symptoms and effectively control the progression of patients with SMPP. Therefore, this treatment approach deserves consideration for clinical promotion and utilization.