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Makrinioti H, Fainardi V, Bonnelykke K, Custovic A, Cicutto L, Coleman C, Eiwegger T, Kuehni C, Moeller A, Pedersen E, Pijnenburg M, Pinnock H, Ranganathan S, Tonia T, Subbarao P, Saglani S. European Respiratory Society statement on preschool wheezing disorders: updated definitions, knowledge gaps and proposed future research directions. Eur Respir J 2024; 64:2400624. [PMID: 38843917 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00624-2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Since the publication of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) task force reports on the management of preschool wheezing in 2008 and 2014, a large body of evidence has accumulated suggesting that the clinical phenotypes that were proposed (episodic (viral) wheezing and multiple-trigger wheezing) do not relate to underlying airway pathology and may not help determine response to treatment. Specifically, using clinical phenotypes alone may no longer be appropriate, and new approaches that can be used to inform clinical care are needed for future research. This ERS task force reviewed the literature published after 2008 related to preschool wheezing and has suggested that the criteria used to define wheezing disorders in preschool children should include age of diagnosis (0 to <6 years), confirmation of wheezing on at least one occasion, and more than one episode of wheezing ever. Furthermore, diagnosis and management may be improved by identifying treatable traits, including inflammatory biomarkers (blood eosinophils, aeroallergen sensitisation) associated with type-2 immunity and differential response to inhaled corticosteroids, lung function parameters and airway infection. However, more comprehensive use of biomarkers/treatable traits in predicting the response to treatment requires prospective validation. There is evidence that specific genetic traits may help guide management, but these must be adequately tested. In addition, the task force identified an absence of caregiver-reported outcomes, caregiver/self-management options and features that should prompt specialist referral for this age group. Priorities for future research include a focus on identifying 1) mechanisms driving preschool wheezing; 2) biomarkers of treatable traits and efficacy of interventions in those without allergic sensitisation/eosinophilia; 3) the need to include both objective outcomes and caregiver-reported outcomes in clinical trials; 4) the need for a suitable action plan for children with preschool wheezing; and 5) a definition of severe/difficult-to-treat preschool wheezing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Makrinioti
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- H. Makrinioti and V. Fainardi contributed equally to the manuscript
| | - Valentina Fainardi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Paediatric Clinic, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- H. Makrinioti and V. Fainardi contributed equally to the manuscript
| | - Klaus Bonnelykke
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Adnan Custovic
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Imperial NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, and Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Lisa Cicutto
- Community Research Department, National Jewish Health, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Courtney Coleman
- Patient Involvement and Engagement, European Lung Foundation, Sheffield, UK
| | - Thomas Eiwegger
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital St Pölten, St Pölten, Austria
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems an der Donau, Austria
- Translational Medicine Program, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Immunology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Claudia Kuehni
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Moeller
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eva Pedersen
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marielle Pijnenburg
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Thomy Tonia
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Padmaja Subbarao
- SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- S. Saglani and P. Subbarao contributed equally to the manuscript
| | - Sejal Saglani
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Imperial NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, and Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
- S. Saglani and P. Subbarao contributed equally to the manuscript
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Evans DJ, Hillas JK, Iosifidis T, Simpson SJ, Kicic A, Agudelo-Romero P. Transcriptomic analysis of primary nasal epithelial cells reveals altered interferon signalling in preterm birth survivors at one year of age. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1399005. [PMID: 39114569 PMCID: PMC11303191 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1399005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Many survivors of preterm birth (<37 weeks gestation) have lifelong respiratory deficits, the drivers of which remain unknown. Influencers of pathophysiological outcomes are often detectable at the gene level and pinpointing these differences can help guide targeted research and interventions. This study provides the first transcriptomic analysis of primary nasal airway epithelial cells in survivors of preterm birth at approximately 1 year of age. Methods: Nasal airway epithelial brushings were collected, and primary cell cultures established from term (>37 weeks gestation) and very preterm participants (≤32 weeks gestation). Ex vivo RNA was collected from brushings with sufficient cell numbers and in vitro RNA was extracted from cultured cells, with bulk RNA sequencing performed on both the sample types. Differential gene expression was assessed using the limma-trend pipeline and pathway enrichment identified using Reactome and GO analysis. To corroborate gene expression data, cytokine concentrations were measured in cell culture supernatant. Results: Transcriptomic analysis to compare term and preterm cells revealed 2,321 genes differentially expressed in ex vivo samples and 865 genes differentially expressed in cultured basal cell samples. Over one third of differentially expressed genes were related to host immunity, with interferon signalling pathways dominating the pathway enrichment analysis and IRF1 identified as a hub gene. Corroboration of disrupted interferon release showed that concentrations of IFN-α2 were below measurable limits in term samples but elevated in preterm samples [19.4 (76.7) pg/ml/µg protein, p = 0.03]. IFN-γ production was significantly higher in preterm samples [3.3 (1.5) vs. 9.4 (17.7) pg/ml/µg protein; p = 0.01] as was IFN-β [7.8 (2.5) vs. 13.6 (19.5) pg/ml/µg protein, p = 0.01]. Conclusion: Host immunity may be compromised in the preterm nasal airway epithelium in early life. Altered immune responses may lead to cycles of repeated infections, causing persistent inflammation and tissue damage which can have significant impacts on long-term respiratory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denby J. Evans
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute and The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Jessica K. Hillas
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Thomas Iosifidis
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Shannon J. Simpson
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Anthony Kicic
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Patricia Agudelo-Romero
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Molecular Science, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- European Virus Bioinformatics Centre, Jena, Thuringia, Germany
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Kicic-Starcevich E, Hancock DG, Iosifidis T, Agudelo-Romero P, Caparros-Martin JA, Karpievitch YV, Silva D, Turkovic L, Le Souef PN, Bosco A, Martino DJ, Kicic A, Prescott SL, Stick SM. Airway epithelium respiratory illnesses and allergy (AERIAL) birth cohort: study protocol. FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY 2024; 5:1349741. [PMID: 38666051 PMCID: PMC11043573 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2024.1349741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Recurrent wheezing disorders including asthma are complex and heterogeneous diseases that affect up to 30% of all children, contributing to a major burden on children, their families, and global healthcare systems. It is now recognized that a dysfunctional airway epithelium plays a central role in the pathogenesis of recurrent wheeze, although the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. This prospective birth cohort aims to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the influence of intrinsic epithelial dysfunction on the risk for developing respiratory disorders and the modulation of this risk by maternal morbidities, in utero exposures, and respiratory exposures in the first year of life. Methods The Airway Epithelium Respiratory Illnesses and Allergy (AERIAL) study is nested within the ORIGINS Project and will monitor 400 infants from birth to 5 years. The primary outcome of the AERIAL study will be the identification of epithelial endotypes and exposure variables that influence the development of recurrent wheezing, asthma, and allergic sensitisation. Nasal respiratory epithelium at birth to 6 weeks, 1, 3, and 5 years will be analysed by bulk RNA-seq and DNA methylation sequencing. Maternal morbidities and in utero exposures will be identified on maternal history and their effects measured through transcriptomic and epigenetic analyses of the amnion and newborn epithelium. Exposures within the first year of life will be identified based on infant medical history as well as on background and symptomatic nasal sampling for viral PCR and microbiome analysis. Daily temperatures and symptoms recorded in a study-specific Smartphone App will be used to identify symptomatic respiratory illnesses. Discussion The AERIAL study will provide a comprehensive longitudinal assessment of factors influencing the association between epithelial dysfunction and respiratory morbidity in early life, and hopefully identify novel targets for diagnosis and early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David G. Hancock
- Wal-yan RespiratoryResearch Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Thomas Iosifidis
- Wal-yan RespiratoryResearch Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Patricia Agudelo-Romero
- Wal-yan RespiratoryResearch Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- European Virus Bioinformatics Centre, Jena, Germany
| | | | | | - Desiree Silva
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics and Neonatology, Joondalup Health Campus, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | | | - Peter N. Le Souef
- Wal-yan RespiratoryResearch Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Anthony Bosco
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Immunobiology, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - David J. Martino
- Wal-yan RespiratoryResearch Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Anthony Kicic
- Wal-yan RespiratoryResearch Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Susan L. Prescott
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- European Virus Bioinformatics Centre, Jena, Germany
| | - Stephen M. Stick
- Wal-yan RespiratoryResearch Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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Song J, Zhang H, Tong Y, Wang Y, Xiang Q, Dai H, Weng C, Wang L, Fan J, Shuai Y, Lai C, Fang X, Chen M, Bao J, Zhang W. Molecular mechanism of interleukin-17A regulating airway epithelial cell ferroptosis based on allergic asthma airway inflammation. Redox Biol 2023; 68:102970. [PMID: 38035662 PMCID: PMC10711239 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) levels are elevated in patients with asthma. Ferroptosis has been identified as the non-apoptotic cell death type associated with asthma. Data regarding the relation of ferroptosis with asthma and the effect of IL-17A on modulating ferroptosis in asthma remain largely unclear. The present work focused on investigating the role of IL-17A in allergic asthma-related ferroptosis and its associated molecular mechanisms using public datasets, clinical samples, human bronchial epithelial cells, and an allergic asthma mouse model. We found that IL-17A was significantly upregulated within serum in asthma cases. Adding IL-17A significantly increased ferroptosis within human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B). In ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthmatic mice, IL-17A regulated and activated lipid peroxidation induced ferroptosis, whereas IL-17A knockdown effectively inhibited ferroptosis in vivo by protection of airway epithelial cells via the xCT-GSH-GPX4 antioxidant system and reduced airway inflammation. Mouse mRNA sequencing results indicated that the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) pathway was the differential KEGG pathway in the OVA group compared to healthy controls and the OVA group compared to the IL-17A knockout OVA group. We further used N-acetylcysteine (TNF inhibitor) to inhibit the TNF signaling pathway, which was found to protect BEAS-2B cells from IL-17A induced lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis damage. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism for the suppression of ferroptosis in airway epithelial cells, which may represent a new strategy for the use of IL-17A inhibitors against allergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Song
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Yu Tong
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Yufei Wang
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Qiangwei Xiang
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Huan Dai
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Cuiye Weng
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China; Department of Neonatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Junwen Fan
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Yilong Shuai
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Chuqiao Lai
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Fang
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Mingxin Chen
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Jiali Bao
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Weixi Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
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5
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Holmdahl I, Chakraborty S, Hoyer A, Filiou A, Asarnoj A, Sjölander A, Borres MP, van Hage M, Hedlin G, Konradsen JR, Söderhäll C. Inflammatory related plasma proteins involved in acute preschool wheeze. Clin Transl Allergy 2023; 13:e12308. [PMID: 38006384 PMCID: PMC10618892 DOI: 10.1002/clt2.12308] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preschool wheeze is a risk factor for asthma development. However, the molecular mechanism behind a wheezing episode is not well understood. OBJECTIVE Our aims were to assess the association of plasma proteins with acute preschool wheeze and to study the proteins with differential expression at the acute phase at revisit after 3 months. Additionally, to investigate the relationship between protein expression and clinical parameters. METHOD We measured 92 inflammatory proteins in plasma and clinical parameters from 145 children during an episode of preschool wheeze (PW) and at the revisit after 3 months (PW-R, n = 113/145) and 101 healthy controls (HC) aged 6-48 months in the GEWAC cohort using the antibody-mediated proximity extension-based assay (Olink Proteomics, Uppsala). RESULTS Of the 74 analysed proteins, 52 were differentially expressed between PW and HC. The expression profiles of the top 10 proteins, Oncostatin M (OSM), IL-10, IL-6, Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), AXIN1, CXCL10, SIRT2, TNFSF11, Tumour necrosis factor β (TNF-β) and CASP8, could almost entirely separate PW from HC. Five out of 10 proteins were associated with intake of oral corticosteroids (OCS) 24 h preceding blood sampling (OSM, CASP8, IL-10, TNF-β and CXCL10). No differences in protein expression were seen between PWs with or without OCS in comparison to HC. At the revisit after 3 months, differential protein expressions were still seen between PW-R and HC for three (IL-10, SIRT2 and FGF21) of the 10 proteins. CONCLUSION Our results contribute to unravelling potential immunopathological pathways shared between preschool wheeze and asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idun Holmdahl
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Astrid Lindgren's Children's HospitalKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Sandip Chakraborty
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Astrid Lindgren's Children's HospitalKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Angela Hoyer
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Astrid Lindgren's Children's HospitalKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Anastasia Filiou
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Astrid Lindgren's Children's HospitalKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Anna Asarnoj
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Astrid Lindgren's Children's HospitalKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | | | - Magnus P. Borres
- Thermo Fisher ScientificUppsalaSweden
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - Marianne van Hage
- Division of Immunology and AllergyDepartment of Medicine SolnaKarolinska Institutet and Karolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Gunilla Hedlin
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Jon R. Konradsen
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Astrid Lindgren's Children's HospitalKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Cilla Söderhäll
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Astrid Lindgren's Children's HospitalKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
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6
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Laubhahn K, Schaub B. From preschool wheezing to asthma: Immunological determinants. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2023; 34:e14038. [PMID: 37877843 DOI: 10.1111/pai.14038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Asthma represents a chronic respiratory disease affecting millions of children worldwide. The transition from preschool wheezing to school-age asthma involves a multifaceted interplay of various factors, including immunological aspects in early childhood. These factors include complex cellular interactions among different immune cell subsets, induction of pro-inflammatory mediators and the molecular impact of environmental factors like allergens or viral infections on the developing immune system. Furthermore, the activation of specific genes and signalling pathways during this early phase plays a pivotal role in the manifestation of symptoms and subsequent development of asthma. Early identification of the propensity or risk for asthma development, for example by allergen sensitisation and viral infections during this critical period, is crucial for understanding the transition from wheeze to asthma. Favourable immune regulation during a critical 'window of opportunity' in early childhood can induce persistent changes in immune cell behaviour. In this context, trained immunity, including memory function of innate immune cells, has significant implications for understanding immune responses, potentially shaping long-term immunological outcomes based on early-life environmental exposures. Exploration of these underlying immune mechanisms that drive disease progression will provide valuable insights to understand childhood asthma development. This will be instrumental to develop preventive strategies at different stages of disease development for (i) inhibiting progression from wheeze to asthma or (ii) reducing disease severity and (iii) uncovering novel therapeutic strategies and contributing to more tailored and effective treatments for childhood asthma. In the long term, this shall empower healthcare professionals to develop evidence-based interventions that reduce the burden of asthma for children, families and society overall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Laubhahn
- Department of Pulmonary and Allergy, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Member of German Centre for Lung Research - DZL, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bianca Schaub
- Department of Pulmonary and Allergy, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Member of German Centre for Lung Research - DZL, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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7
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Gong GQ, Bilanges B, Allsop B, Masson GR, Roberton V, Askwith T, Oxenford S, Madsen RR, Conduit SE, Bellini D, Fitzek M, Collier M, Najam O, He Z, Wahab B, McLaughlin SH, Chan AWE, Feierberg I, Madin A, Morelli D, Bhamra A, Vinciauskaite V, Anderson KE, Surinova S, Pinotsis N, Lopez-Guadamillas E, Wilcox M, Hooper A, Patel C, Whitehead MA, Bunney TD, Stephens LR, Hawkins PT, Katan M, Yellon DM, Davidson SM, Smith DM, Phillips JB, Angell R, Williams RL, Vanhaesebroeck B. A small-molecule PI3Kα activator for cardioprotection and neuroregeneration. Nature 2023; 618:159-168. [PMID: 37225977 PMCID: PMC7614683 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05972-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Harnessing the potential beneficial effects of kinase signalling through the generation of direct kinase activators remains an underexplored area of drug development1-5. This also applies to the PI3K signalling pathway, which has been extensively targeted by inhibitors for conditions with PI3K overactivation, such as cancer and immune dysregulation. Here we report the discovery of UCL-TRO-1938 (referred to as 1938 hereon), a small-molecule activator of the PI3Kα isoform, a crucial effector of growth factor signalling. 1938 allosterically activates PI3Kα through a distinct mechanism by enhancing multiple steps of the PI3Kα catalytic cycle and causes both local and global conformational changes in the PI3Kα structure. This compound is selective for PI3Kα over other PI3K isoforms and multiple protein and lipid kinases. It transiently activates PI3K signalling in all rodent and human cells tested, resulting in cellular responses such as proliferation and neurite outgrowth. In rodent models, acute treatment with 1938 provides cardioprotection from ischaemia-reperfusion injury and, after local administration, enhances nerve regeneration following nerve crush. This study identifies a chemical tool to directly probe the PI3Kα signalling pathway and a new approach to modulate PI3K activity, widening the therapeutic potential of targeting these enzymes through short-term activation for tissue protection and regeneration. Our findings illustrate the potential of activating kinases for therapeutic benefit, a currently largely untapped area of drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Q Gong
- Cell Signalling, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Benoit Bilanges
- Cell Signalling, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ben Allsop
- Drug Discovery Group, Translational Research Office, University College London, London, UK
| | - Glenn R Masson
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
- Division of Cellular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Victoria Roberton
- UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Trevor Askwith
- Drug Discovery Group, Translational Research Office, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sally Oxenford
- Drug Discovery Group, Translational Research Office, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ralitsa R Madsen
- Cell Signalling, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sarah E Conduit
- Cell Signalling, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dom Bellini
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Martina Fitzek
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, UK
| | - Matt Collier
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, UK
| | - Osman Najam
- The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Zhenhe He
- The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ben Wahab
- Medicines Discovery Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - A W Edith Chan
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Andrew Madin
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Daniele Morelli
- Cell Signalling, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Amandeep Bhamra
- Proteomics Research Translational Technology Platform, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Vanesa Vinciauskaite
- Division of Cellular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | - Silvia Surinova
- Proteomics Research Translational Technology Platform, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nikos Pinotsis
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London, UK
| | | | - Matthew Wilcox
- UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alice Hooper
- Drug Discovery Group, Translational Research Office, University College London, London, UK
| | - Chandni Patel
- Drug Discovery Group, Translational Research Office, University College London, London, UK
| | - Maria A Whitehead
- Cell Signalling, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Tom D Bunney
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Matilda Katan
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Derek M Yellon
- The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sean M Davidson
- The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - David M Smith
- Emerging Innovations, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - James B Phillips
- UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Richard Angell
- Drug Discovery Group, Translational Research Office, University College London, London, UK
- Medicines Discovery Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Roger L Williams
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
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8
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Kicic-Starcevich E, Hancock DG, Iosifidis T, Agudelo-Romero P, Caparros-Martin JA, Silva D, Turkovic L, Le Souef PN, Bosco A, Martino DJ, Kicic A, Prescott SL, Stick SM. Airway Epithelium Respiratory Illnesses and Allergy (AERIAL) birth cohort: study protocol. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.04.29.23289314. [PMID: 37205501 PMCID: PMC10187351 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.29.23289314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Recurrent wheezing disorders including asthma are complex and heterogeneous diseases that affect up to 30% of all children, contributing to a major burden on children, their families, and global healthcare systems. It is now recognized that a dysfunctional airway epithelium plays a central role in the pathogenesis of recurrent wheeze, although the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. This prospective birth cohort aims to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the influence of intrinsic epithelial dysfunction on the risk for developing respiratory disorders and the modulation of this risk by maternal morbidities, in utero exposures, and respiratory exposures in the first year of life. Methods and Analysis The Airway Epithelium Respiratory Illnesses and Allergy (AERIAL) study is nested within the ORIGINS Project and will monitor 400 infants from birth to five years. The primary outcome of the AERIAL study will be the identification of epithelial endotypes and exposure variables that influence the development of recurrent wheezing, asthma, and allergic sensitisation. Nasal respiratory epithelium at birth to six weeks, one, three, and five years will be analysed by bulk RNA-seq and DNA methylation sequencing. Maternal morbidities and in utero exposures will be identified on maternal history and their effects measured through transcriptomic and epigenetic analyses of the amnion and newborn epithelium. Exposures within the first year of life will be identified based on infant medical history as well as on background and symptomatic nasal sampling for viral PCR and microbiome analysis. Daily temperatures and symptoms recorded in a study-specific Smartphone App will be used to identify symptomatic respiratory illnesses. Ethics and Dissemination Ethical approval has been obtained from Ramsey Health Care HREC WA-SA (#1908). Results will be disseminated through open-access peer-reviewed manuscripts, conference presentations, and through different media channels to consumers, ORIGINS families, and the wider community.
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9
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Lu K, Zhou M, Wang L, Wang Y, Tang H, He G, Wang H, Tang C, He J, Wang W, Tang K, Wang Y, Deng Z. N-Acetyl-L-cysteine facilitates tendon repair and promotes the tenogenic differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells by enhancing the integrin α5/β1/PI3K/AKT signaling. BMC Mol Cell Biol 2023; 24:1. [PMID: 36604630 DOI: 10.1186/s12860-022-00463-0] [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: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tendon injury is associated with oxidative stress, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and inflammation. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is a potent antioxidant. However, how NAC affects the biological functions of tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) and tendon repair has not been clarified. METHOD: The impacts of NAC on the viability, ROS production, and differentiation of TSPCs were determined with the cell counting kit-8, fluorescence staining, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. The effect of NAC on gene transcription in TSPCs was analyzed by transcriptomes and bioinformatics and validated by Western blotting. The potential therapeutic effect of NAC on tendon repair was tested in a rat model of Achilles tendon injury. RESULTS Compared with the untreated control, treatment with 500 µM NAC greatly promoted the proliferation of TSPCs and significantly mitigated hydrogen peroxide-induced ROS production and cytotoxicity in vitro. NAC treatment significantly increased the relative protein expression of collagen type 1 alpha 1 (COL1A1), tenascin C (TNC), scleraxis (SCX), and tenomodulin (TNMD) in TPSCs. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that NAC modulated transcriptomes, particularly in the integrin-related phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling, and Western blotting revealed that NAC enhanced integrin α5β1 expression and PI3K/AKT activation in TSPCs. Finally, NAC treatment mitigated the tendon injury, but enhanced the protein expression of SCX, TNC, TNMD, and COLIA1 in the injured tissue regions of the rats. CONCLUSION NAC treatment promoted the survival and differentiation of TSPCs to facilitate tendon repair after tendon injury in rats. Thus, NAC may be valuable for the treatment of tendon injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Lu
- Department of Orthopedics-Spine Surgery Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, No. 74 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Mei Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics/Sports Medicine Center, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University, No. 29, Yanzheng Street, Gaotan, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China
| | - Liyuan Wang
- Department of Orthopedics-Spine Surgery Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, No. 74 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Orthopedics-Spine Surgery Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, No. 74 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Tang
- Department of Orthopedics/Sports Medicine Center, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University, No. 29, Yanzheng Street, Gaotan, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China
| | - Gang He
- Department of Orthopedics/Sports Medicine Center, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University, No. 29, Yanzheng Street, Gaotan, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Department of Orthopedics/Sports Medicine Center, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University, No. 29, Yanzheng Street, Gaotan, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China
| | - Chuyue Tang
- Department of Orthopedics/Sports Medicine Center, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University, No. 29, Yanzheng Street, Gaotan, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie He
- Department of Orthopedics-Spine Surgery Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, No. 74 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Orthopedics/Sports Medicine Center, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University, No. 29, Yanzheng Street, Gaotan, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China
| | - Kanglai Tang
- Department of Orthopedics/Sports Medicine Center, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University, No. 29, Yanzheng Street, Gaotan, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China.
| | - Yunjiao Wang
- Department of Orthopedics/Sports Medicine Center, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University, No. 29, Yanzheng Street, Gaotan, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China.
| | - Zhongliang Deng
- Department of Orthopedics-Spine Surgery Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, No. 74 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China.
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10
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Wang Z, He Y, Li Q, Zhao Y, Zhang G, Luo Z. Network analyses of upper and lower airway transcriptomes identify shared mechanisms among children with recurrent wheezing and school-age asthma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1087551. [PMID: 36776870 PMCID: PMC9911682 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1087551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Predicting which preschool children with recurrent wheezing (RW) will develop school-age asthma (SA) is difficult, highlighting the critical need to clarify the pathogenesis of RW and the mechanistic relationship between RW and SA. Despite shared environmental exposures and genetic determinants, RW and SA are usually studied in isolation. Based on network analysis of nasal and tracheal transcriptomes, we aimed to identify convergent transcriptomic mechanisms in RW and SA. Methods RNA-sequencing data from nasal and tracheal brushing samples were acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus. Combined with single-cell transcriptome data, cell deconvolution was used to infer the composition of 18 cellular components within the airway. Consensus weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed to identify consensus modules closely related to both RW and SA. Shared pathways underlying consensus modules between RW and SA were explored by enrichment analysis. Hub genes between RW and SA were identified using machine learning strategies and validated using external datasets and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Finally, the potential value of hub genes in defining RW subsets was determined using nasal and tracheal transcriptome data. Results Co-expression network analysis revealed similarities in the transcriptional networks of RW and SA in the upper and lower airways. Cell deconvolution analysis revealed an increase in mast cell fraction but decrease in club cell fraction in both RW and SA airways compared to controls. Consensus network analysis identified two consensus modules highly associated with both RW and SA. Enrichment analysis of the two consensus modules indicated that fatty acid metabolism-related pathways were shared key signals between RW and SA. Furthermore, machine learning strategies identified five hub genes, i.e., CST1, CST2, CST4, POSTN, and NRTK2, with the up-regulated hub genes in RW and SA validated using three independent external datasets and qRT-PCR. The gene signatures of the five hub genes could potentially be used to determine type 2 (T2)-high and T2-low subsets in preschoolers with RW. Conclusions These findings improve our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of RW and provide a rationale for future exploration of the mechanistic relationship between RW and SA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhili Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu He
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Qinyuan Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Guangli Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhengxiu Luo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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11
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Kim SR. Viral Infection and Airway Epithelial Immunity in Asthma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:9914. [PMID: 36077310 PMCID: PMC9456547 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral respiratory tract infections are associated with asthma development and exacerbation in children and adults. In the course of immune responses to viruses, airway epithelial cells are the initial platform of innate immunity against viral invasion. Patients with severe asthma are more vulnerable than those with mild to moderate asthma to viral infections. Furthermore, in most cases, asthmatic patients tend to produce lower levels of antiviral cytokines than healthy subjects, such as interferons produced from immune effector cells and airway epithelial cells. The epithelial inflammasome appears to contribute to asthma exacerbation through overactivation, leading to self-damage, despite its naturally protective role against infectious pathogens. Given the mixed and complex immune responses in viral-infection-induced asthma exacerbation, this review examines the diverse roles of airway epithelial immunity and related potential therapeutic targets and discusses the mechanisms underlying the heterogeneous manifestations of asthma exacerbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Ri Kim
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Jeonbuk National University, 20 Geonji-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju 54907, Korea
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12
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Gwatimba A, Rosenow T, Stick SM, Kicic A, Iosifidis T, Karpievitch YV. AI-Driven Cell Tracking to Enable High-Throughput Drug Screening Targeting Airway Epithelial Repair for Children with Asthma. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12050809. [PMID: 35629232 PMCID: PMC9146422 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12050809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The airway epithelium of children with asthma is characterized by aberrant repair that may be therapeutically modifiable. The development of epithelial-targeting therapeutics that enhance airway repair could provide a novel treatment avenue for childhood asthma. Drug discovery efforts utilizing high-throughput live cell imaging of patient-derived airway epithelial culture-based wound repair assays can be used to identify compounds that modulate airway repair in childhood asthma. Manual cell tracking has been used to determine cell trajectories and wound closure rates, but is time consuming, subject to bias, and infeasible for high-throughput experiments. We therefore developed software, EPIC, that automatically tracks low-resolution low-framerate cells using artificial intelligence, analyzes high-throughput drug screening experiments and produces multiple wound repair metrics and publication-ready figures. Additionally, unlike available cell trackers that perform cell segmentation, EPIC tracks cells using bounding boxes and thus has simpler and faster training data generation requirements for researchers working with other cell types. EPIC outperformed publicly available software in our wound repair datasets by achieving human-level cell tracking accuracy in a fraction of the time. We also showed that EPIC is not limited to airway epithelial repair for children with asthma but can be applied in other cellular contexts by outperforming the same software in the Cell Tracking with Mitosis Detection Challenge (CTMC) dataset. The CTMC is the only established cell tracking benchmark dataset that is designed for cell trackers utilizing bounding boxes. We expect our open-source and easy-to-use software to enable high-throughput drug screening targeting airway epithelial repair for children with asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alphons Gwatimba
- Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (T.R.); (S.M.S.); (A.K.); (T.I.); (Y.V.K.)
- School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Tim Rosenow
- Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (T.R.); (S.M.S.); (A.K.); (T.I.); (Y.V.K.)
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Stephen M. Stick
- Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (T.R.); (S.M.S.); (A.K.); (T.I.); (Y.V.K.)
- Division of Paediatrics, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Anthony Kicic
- Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (T.R.); (S.M.S.); (A.K.); (T.I.); (Y.V.K.)
- Division of Paediatrics, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Thomas Iosifidis
- Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (T.R.); (S.M.S.); (A.K.); (T.I.); (Y.V.K.)
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Yuliya V. Karpievitch
- Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (T.R.); (S.M.S.); (A.K.); (T.I.); (Y.V.K.)
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
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13
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Jin M, Watkins S, Larriba Y, Wallace C, St. Croix C, Zhou X, Zhao J, Peddada S, Wenzel SE. Real-time imaging of asthmatic epithelial cells identifies migratory deficiencies under type-2 conditions. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2022; 149:579-588. [PMID: 34547368 PMCID: PMC8821171 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The epithelium is increasingly recognized as a pathologic contributor to asthma and its phenotypes. Although delayed wound closure by asthmatic epithelial cells is consistently observed, underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, partly due to difficulties in studying dynamic physiologic processes involving polarized multilayered cell systems. Although type-2 immunity has been suggested to play a role, the mechanisms by which repair is diminished are unclear. OBJECTIVES This study sought to develop and utilize primary multilayered polarized epithelial cell systems, derived from patients with asthma, to evaluate cell migration in response to wounding under type-2 and untreated conditions. METHODS A novel wounding device for multilayered polarized cells, along with time-lapse live cell/real-time confocal imaging were evaluated under IL-13 and untreated conditions. The influence of inhibition of 15 lipoxygenase (15LO1), a type-2 enzyme, on the process was also addressed. Cell migration patterns were analyzed by high-dimensional frequency modulated Möbius for statistical comparisons. RESULTS IL-13 stimulation negatively impacts wound healing by altering the total speed, directionality, and acceleration of individual cells. Inhibition 15LO1 partially improved the wound repair through improving total speed. CONCLUSIONS Migration abnormalities contributed to markedly slower wound closure of IL-13 treated cells, which was modestly reversed by 15LO1 inhibition, suggesting its potential as an asthma therapeutic target. These novel methodologies offer new ways to dynamically study cell movements and identify contributing pathologic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu Jin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA,Department of Rhinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Simon Watkins
- Center for Biologic Imaging, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Yolanda Larriba
- Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Callen Wallace
- Center for Biologic Imaging, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Claudette St. Croix
- Center for Biologic Imaging, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Xiuxia Zhou
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Jinming Zhao
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Shyamal Peddada
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Sally E. Wenzel
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA,Asthma and Environmental Lung Health Institute @UPMC, Pittsburgh, USA
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14
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Watkinson RL, Looi K, Laing IA, Cianferoni A, Kicic A. Viral Induced Effects on a Vulnerable Epithelium; Lessons Learned From Paediatric Asthma and Eosinophilic Oesophagitis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:773600. [PMID: 34912343 PMCID: PMC8666438 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.773600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelium is integral to the protection of many different biological systems and for the maintenance of biochemical homeostasis. Emerging evidence suggests that particular children have epithelial vulnerabilities leading to dysregulated barrier function and integrity, that resultantly contributes to disease pathogenesis. These epithelial vulnerabilities likely develop in utero or in early life due to various genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors. Although various epithelia are uniquely structured with specific function, prevalent allergic-type epithelial diseases in children potentially have common or parallel disease processes. These include inflammation and immune response dysregulation stemming from atypical epithelial barrier function and integrity. Two diseases where aetiology and pathogenesis are potentially linked to epithelial vulnerabilities include Paediatric Asthma and Eosinophilic Oesophagitis (EoE). For example, rhinovirus C (RV-C) is a known risk factor for paediatric asthma development and is known to disrupt respiratory epithelial barrier function causing acute inflammation. In addition, EoE, a prevalent atopic condition of the oesophageal epithelium, is characterised by similar innate immune and epithelial responses to viral injury. This review examines the current literature and identifies the gaps in the field defining viral-induced effects on a vulnerable respiratory epithelium and resulting chronic inflammation, drawing from knowledge generated in acute wheezing illness, paediatric asthma and EoE. Besides highlighting the importance of epithelial structure and barrier function in allergic disease pathogenesis regardless of specific epithelial sub-types, this review focuses on the importance of examining other parallel allergic-type disease processes that may uncover commonalities driving disease pathogenesis. This in turn may be beneficial in the development of common therapeutics for current clinical management and disease prevention in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Watkinson
- Division of Paediatrics, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Kevin Looi
- Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia.,School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Ingrid A Laing
- Division of Paediatrics, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Antonella Cianferoni
- Pediatrics Department, Perlman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Anthony Kicic
- Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia.,School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia.,Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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15
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Dysregulated Notch Signaling in the Airway Epithelium of Children with Wheeze. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11121323. [PMID: 34945795 PMCID: PMC8707470 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11121323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The airway epithelium of children with wheeze is characterized by defective repair that contributes to disease pathobiology. Dysregulation of developmental processes controlled by Notch has been identified in chronic asthma. However, its role in airway epithelial cells of young children with wheeze, particularly during repair, is yet to be determined. We hypothesized that Notch is dysregulated in primary airway epithelial cells (pAEC) of children with wheeze contributing to defective repair. This study investigated transcriptional and protein expression and function of Notch in pAEC isolated from children with and without wheeze. Primary AEC of children with and without wheeze were found to express all known Notch receptors and ligands, although pAEC from children with wheeze expressed significantly lower NOTCH2 (10-fold, p = 0.004) and higher JAG1 (3.5-fold, p = 0.002) mRNA levels. These dysregulations were maintained in vitro and cultures from children with wheeze displayed altered kinetics of both NOTCH2 and JAG1 expression during repair. Following Notch signaling inhibition, pAEC from children without wheeze failed to repair (wound closure rate of 76.9 ± 3.2%). Overexpression of NOTCH2 in pAEC from children with wheeze failed to rescue epithelial repair following wounding. This study illustrates the involvement of the Notch pathway in airway epithelial wound repair in health and disease, where its dysregulation may contribute to asthma development.
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16
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Altman MC, Calatroni A, Ramratnam S, Jackson DJ, Presnell S, Rosasco MG, Gergen PJ, Bacharier LB, O'Connor GT, Sandel MT, Kattan M, Wood RA, Visness CM, Gern JE. Endotype of allergic asthma with airway obstruction in urban children. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2021; 148:1198-1209. [PMID: 33713771 PMCID: PMC8429519 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.02.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Black and Hispanic children growing up in disadvantaged urban neighborhoods have the highest rates of asthma and related morbidity in the United States. OBJECTIVES This study sought to identify specific respiratory phenotypes of health and disease in this population, associations with early life exposures, and molecular patterns of gene expression in nasal epithelial cells that underlie clinical disease. METHODS The study population consisted of 442 high-risk urban children who had repeated assessments of wheezing, allergen-specific IgE, and lung function through 10 years of age. Phenotypes were identified by developing temporal trajectories for these data, and then compared to early life exposures and patterns of nasal epithelial gene expression at 11 years of age. RESULTS Of the 6 identified respiratory phenotypes, a high wheeze, high atopy, low lung function group had the greatest respiratory morbidity. In early life, this group had low exposure to common allergens and high exposure to ergosterol in house dust. While all high-atopy groups were associated with increased expression of a type-2 inflammation gene module in nasal epithelial samples, an epithelium IL-13 response module tracked closely with impaired lung function, and a MUC5AC hypersecretion module was uniquely upregulated in the high wheeze, high atopy, low lung function group. In contrast, a medium wheeze, low atopy group showed altered expression of modules of epithelial integrity, epithelial injury, and antioxidant pathways. CONCLUSIONS In the first decade of life, high-risk urban children develop distinct phenotypes of respiratory health versus disease that link early life environmental exposures to childhood allergic sensitization and asthma. Moreover, unique patterns of airway gene expression demonstrate how specific molecular pathways underlie distinct respiratory phenotypes, including allergic and nonallergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Altman
- Immunology Division, Benaroya Research Institute Systems, Seattle, Wash; Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.
| | | | - Sima Ramratnam
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis
| | - Daniel J Jackson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis
| | - Scott Presnell
- Immunology Division, Benaroya Research Institute Systems, Seattle, Wash
| | - Mario G Rosasco
- Immunology Division, Benaroya Research Institute Systems, Seattle, Wash
| | - Peter J Gergen
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, Md
| | - Leonard B Bacharier
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine and St Louis Children's Hospital, St Louis, Mo
| | - George T O'Connor
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass
| | - Megan T Sandel
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass
| | - Meyer Kattan
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Robert A Wood
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, Md
| | | | - James E Gern
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis
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Hillas J, Evans DJ, Ang S, Iosifidis T, Garratt LW, Hemy N, Kicic-Starcevich E, Simpson SJ, Kicic A. Nasal airway epithelial repair after very preterm birth. ERJ Open Res 2021; 7:00913-2020. [PMID: 34109241 PMCID: PMC8181665 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00913-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm birth rates are increasing and now account for >11% of global births. Simultaneously, advances in neonatal care have led to increased survival of lower gestation neonates. A complication of preterm birth, and the biggest determinant of survival, is lung and airway immaturity. After preterm birth, the immature respiratory system is exposed to pro-inflammatory stimuli like injury from resuscitation and oxygen toxicity. The airway epithelium, the physical barrier between insults and the airways, is particularly vulnerable to injury. If epithelial barrier integrity cannot be restored rapidly following damage (i.e. via aberrant repair), the respiratory system is left unprotected, increasing the risk of infection, inflammation and tissue damage. Altered epithelial repair may play an important role in the ongoing respiratory health problems experienced by preterm survivors, including severe respiratory infections throughout early life, or low and declining lung function [1–3]. Deficits are further exacerbated in those with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The mechanisms contributing to ongoing respiratory problems are currently unknown, although probably begin in early life. Until now, understanding the role of the preterm epithelial barrier has been limited by a lack of appropriate cellular models. Our study aimed to assess the reparative capacity of the airway epithelium in survivors of preterm birth and its association with early life outcomes, with the hypothesis that preterm airway epithelial cells have an abnormal repair mechanism. Nasal epithelialcells from very preterm infants have a functional defect in their ability to repair beyond the first year of life, and failed repair may be associated with antenatal steroid exposurehttps://bit.ly/39OFJs7
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Hillas
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Denby J Evans
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Australia.,Occupation and Environment, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Australia
| | - Sherlynn Ang
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Thomas Iosifidis
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Australia.,Occupation and Environment, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Australia.,Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Luke W Garratt
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Naomi Hemy
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Australia
| | | | - Shannon J Simpson
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Australia.,School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Bentley, Australia.,These authors contributed equally
| | - Anthony Kicic
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Australia.,Occupation and Environment, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Australia.,Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia.,Dept of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, Australia.,These authors contributed equally
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18
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Linfield DT, Gao N, Raduka A, Harford TJ, Piedimonte G, Rezaee F. RSV attenuates epithelial cell restitution by inhibiting actin cytoskeleton-dependent cell migration. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2021; 321:L189-L203. [PMID: 34010080 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00118.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The airway epithelium's ability to repair itself after injury, known as epithelial restitution, is an essential mechanism enabling the respiratory tract's normal functions. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections worldwide. We sought to determine whether RSV delays the airway epithelium wound repair process both in vitro and in vivo. We found that RSV infection attenuated epithelial cell migration, a step in wound repair, promoted stress fiber formation, and mediated assembly of large focal adhesions (FA). Inhibition of Rho kinase (ROCK), a master regulator of actin function, reversed these effects. There was increased RhoA and phospho-myosin light chain (pMLC2) following RSV infection. In vivo, mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with naphthalene to induce lung injury, followed by RSV infection. RSV infection delayed re-epithelialization. There were increased concentrations of pMLC2 in day 7 naphthalene plus RSV animals which normalized by day 14. This study suggests a key mechanism by which RSV infection delays wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nannan Gao
- Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, United States
| | - Andjela Raduka
- Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, United States
| | - Terri J Harford
- Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, United States
| | | | - Fariba Rezaee
- Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, United States.,Center for Pediatric Pulmonology, Cleveland Clinic Children's, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
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19
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He H, Snowball J, Sun F, Na CL, Whitsett JA. IGF1R controls mechanosignaling in myofibroblasts required for pulmonary alveologenesis. JCI Insight 2021; 6:144863. [PMID: 33591952 PMCID: PMC8026181 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.144863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ventilation throughout life is dependent on the formation of pulmonary alveoli, which create an extensive surface area in which the close apposition of respiratory epithelium and endothelial cells of the pulmonary microvascular enables efficient gas exchange. Morphogenesis of the alveoli initiates at late gestation in humans and the early postnatal period in the mouse. Alveolar septation is directed by complex signaling interactions among multiple cell types. Here, we demonstrate that IGF1 receptor gene (Igf1r) expression by a subset of pulmonary fibroblasts is required for normal alveologenesis in mice. Postnatal deletion of Igf1r caused alveolar simplification, disrupting alveolar elastin networks and extracellular matrix without altering myofibroblast differentiation or proliferation. Moreover, loss of Igf1r impaired contractile properties of lung myofibroblasts and inhibited myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation and mechanotransductive nuclear YAP activity. Activation of p-AKT, p-MLC, and nuclear YAP in myofibroblasts was dependent on Igf1r. Pharmacologic activation of AKT enhanced MLC phosphorylation, increased YAP activation, and ameliorated alveolar simplification in vivo. IGF1R controls mechanosignaling in myofibroblasts required for lung alveologenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua He
- Division of Pulmonary Biology and
| | | | - Fei Sun
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Tzani-Tzanopoulou P, Skliros D, Megremis S, Xepapadaki P, Andreakos E, Chanishvili N, Flemetakis E, Kaltsas G, Taka S, Lebessi E, Doudoulakakis A, Papadopoulos NG. Interactions of Bacteriophages and Bacteria at the Airway Mucosa: New Insights Into the Pathophysiology of Asthma. FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY 2021; 1:617240. [PMID: 35386933 PMCID: PMC8974763 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2020.617240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The airway epithelium is the primary site where inhaled and resident microbiota interacts between themselves and the host, potentially playing an important role on allergic asthma development and pathophysiology. With the advent of culture independent molecular techniques and high throughput technologies, the complex composition and diversity of bacterial communities of the airways has been well-documented and the notion of the lungs' sterility definitively rejected. Recent studies indicate that the microbial composition of the asthmatic airways across the spectrum of disease severity, differ significantly compared with healthy individuals. In parallel, a growing body of evidence suggests that bacterial viruses (bacteriophages or simply phages), regulating bacterial populations, are present in almost every niche of the human body and can also interact directly with the eukaryotic cells. The triptych of airway epithelial cells, bacterial symbionts and resident phages should be considered as a functional and interdependent unit with direct implications on the respiratory and overall homeostasis. While the role of epithelial cells in asthma pathophysiology is well-established, the tripartite interactions between epithelial cells, bacteria and phages should be scrutinized, both to better understand asthma as a system disorder and to explore potential interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Tzani-Tzanopoulou
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, 2nd Pediatric Clinic, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Skliros
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Food, Biotechnology and Development, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridon Megremis
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Paraskevi Xepapadaki
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, 2nd Pediatric Clinic, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Andreakos
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research of the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nina Chanishvili
- Laboratory for Genetics of Microorganisms and Bacteriophages, Eliava Institute of Bacteriophage, Microbiology & Virology, Tbilisi, GA, United States
| | - Emmanouil Flemetakis
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Food, Biotechnology and Development, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Grigoris Kaltsas
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Styliani Taka
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, 2nd Pediatric Clinic, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Lebessi
- Department of Microbiology, P. & A. Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Nikolaos G Papadopoulos
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, 2nd Pediatric Clinic, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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