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Van Mechelen K, van Westering-Kroon E, Hütten M, Mahieu L, Villamor E. Placing Ureaplasma within the Context of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Endotypes and Phenotypes. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:children10020256. [PMID: 36832386 PMCID: PMC9955705 DOI: 10.3390/children10020256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Different pathophysiological pathways (endotypes), leading to very preterm birth may result in distinct clinical phenotypes of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Ureaplasma is a unique player in the pathogenesis of BPD. The interaction between factors inherent to Ureaplasma (virulence, bacterial load, duration of exposure), and to the host (immune response, infection clearance, degree of prematurity, respiratory support, concomitant infections) may contribute to BPD development in a variable manner. The data reviewed herein support the hypothesis that Ureaplasma, as a representative of the infectious/inflammatory endotype, may produce pulmonary damage predominantly in parenchyma, interstitium, and small airways. In contrast, Ureaplasma may have a very limited role in the pathogenesis of the vascular phenotype of BPD. In addition, if Ureaplasma is a key factor in BPD pathogenesis, its eradication by macrolides should prevent BPD. However, various meta-analyses do not show consistent evidence that this is the case. The limitations of current definitions and classifications of BPD, based on respiratory support needs instead of pathophysiology and phenotypes, may explain this and other failures in strategies aimed to prevent BPD. The precise mechanisms through which Ureaplasma infection leads to altered lung development and how these pathways can result in different BPD phenotypes warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Van Mechelen
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center, School for Oncology and Reproduction (GROW), Maastricht University, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Elke van Westering-Kroon
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center, School for Oncology and Reproduction (GROW), Maastricht University, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Matthias Hütten
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center, School for Oncology and Reproduction (GROW), Maastricht University, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ludo Mahieu
- Department of Neonatology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Eduardo Villamor
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center, School for Oncology and Reproduction (GROW), Maastricht University, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
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2
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Widowski H, Reynaert NL, Ophelders DRMG, Hütten MC, Nikkels PGJ, Severens-Rijvers CAH, Cleutjens JPM, Kemp MW, Newnham JP, Saito M, Usuda H, Payne MS, Jobe AH, Kramer BW, Delhaas T, Wolfs TGAM. Sequential Exposure to Antenatal Microbial Triggers Attenuates Alveolar Growth and Pulmonary Vascular Development and Impacts Pulmonary Epithelial Stem/Progenitor Cells. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:614239. [PMID: 33693012 PMCID: PMC7937719 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.614239] [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: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Perinatal inflammatory stress is strongly associated with adverse pulmonary outcomes after preterm birth. Antenatal infections are an essential perinatal stress factor and contribute to preterm delivery, induction of lung inflammation and injury, pre-disposing preterm infants to bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Considering the polymicrobial nature of antenatal infection, which was reported to result in diverse effects and outcomes in preterm lungs, the aim was to examine the consequences of sequential inflammatory stimuli on endogenous epithelial stem/progenitor cells and vascular maturation, which are crucial drivers of lung development. Therefore, a translational ovine model of antenatal infection/inflammation with consecutive exposures to chronic and acute stimuli was used. Ovine fetuses were exposed intra-amniotically to Ureaplasma parvum 42 days (chronic stimulus) and/or to lipopolysaccharide 2 or 7 days (acute stimulus) prior to preterm delivery at 125 days of gestation. Pulmonary inflammation, endogenous epithelial stem cell populations, vascular modulators and morphology were investigated in preterm lungs. Pre-exposure to UP attenuated neutrophil infiltration in 7d LPS-exposed lungs and prevented reduction of SOX-9 expression and increased SP-B expression, which could indicate protective responses induced by re-exposure. Sequential exposures did not markedly impact stem/progenitors of the proximal airways (P63+ basal cells) compared to single exposure to LPS. In contrast, the alveolar size was increased solely in the UP+7d LPS group. In line, the most pronounced reduction of AEC2 and proliferating cells (Ki67+) was detected in these sequentially UP + 7d LPS-exposed lambs. A similar sensitization effect of UP pre-exposure was reflected by the vessel density and expression of vascular markers VEGFR-2 and Ang-1 that were significantly reduced after UP exposure prior to 2d LPS, when compared to UP and LPS exposure alone. Strikingly, while morphological changes of alveoli and vessels were seen after sequential microbial exposure, improved lung function was observed in UP, 7d LPS, and UP+7d LPS-exposed lambs. In conclusion, although sequential exposures did not markedly further impact epithelial stem/progenitor cell populations, re-exposure to an inflammatory stimulus resulted in disturbed alveolarization and abnormal pulmonary vascular development. Whether these negative effects on lung development can be rescued by the potentially protective responses observed, should be examined at later time points.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helene Widowski
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Department of BioMedical Engineering, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Niki L Reynaert
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.,NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Daan R M G Ophelders
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Matthias C Hütten
- Neonatology, Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,University Children's Hospital Würzburg, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter G J Nikkels
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Jack P M Cleutjens
- Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Matthew W Kemp
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - John P Newnham
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Masatoshi Saito
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Tohoku University Centre for Perinatal and Neonatal Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Haruo Usuda
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Tohoku University Centre for Perinatal and Neonatal Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Matthew S Payne
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Alan H Jobe
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Perinatal Institute Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Boris W Kramer
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Tammo Delhaas
- Department of BioMedical Engineering, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Tim G A M Wolfs
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Abstract
Mycoplasma species (spp.) can be commensals or opportunistic pathogens of the urogenital tract, and they can be commonly isolated from amniotic fluid, placenta, and fetal/neonatal tissue or blood in mothers delivering prematurely or their preterm infants. Although the presence of Mycoplasma spp. has been associated with adverse maternal-fetal outcomes such as preterm birth and maternal chorioamnionitis, it is less clear whether vertical transmission to the neonate results in colonization or active infection/inflammation. Moreover, the presence of Mycoplasma spp. in neonatal blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or tissue has been variably associated with increased risk of neonatal comorbidities, especially bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Although the treatment of the mother or neonate with antibiotics is effective in eradicating ureaplasma, it is not clear that the treatment is effective in reducing the incidence of major morbidities of the preterm neonate (eg, BPD). In this article, we review the animal and clinical data for ureaplasma-related complications and treatment strategies. [Pediatr Ann. 2020;49(7):e305-e312.].
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Surfactant Protein A Impairs Genital HPV16 Pseudovirus Infection by Innate Immune Cell Activation in A Murine Model. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8040288. [PMID: 31817644 PMCID: PMC6963799 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8040288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection by oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is the principle cause of cervical cancer and other anogenital cancers. The majority of cervical cancer cases occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Prophylactic vaccines exist to combat HPV infection but accessibility to these in LMIC is limited. Alternative preventative measures against HPV infection are therefore also needed to control cervical cancer risk. HPV employs multiple mechanisms to evade the host immune response. Therefore, an approach to promote HPV recognition by the immune system can reduce infection. Surfactant proteins A and D (SP-A and SP-D) are highly effective innate opsonins of pathogens. Their function is primarily understood in the lung, but they are also expressed at other sites of the body, including the female reproductive tract (FRT). We hypothesized that raised levels of SP-A and/or SP-D may enhance immune recognition of HPV and reduce infection. Co-immunoprecipitation and flow cytometry experiments showed that purified human SP-A protein directly bound HPV16 pseudovirions (HPV16-PsVs), and the resulting HPV16-PsVs/SP-A complex enhanced uptake of HPV16-PsVs by RAW264.7 murine macrophages. In contrast, a recombinant fragment of human SP-D bound HPV16-PsVs weakly and had no effect on viral uptake. To assess if SP-A modulates HPV16-PsVs infection in vivo, a murine cervicovaginal challenge model was applied. Surprisingly, neither naïve nor C57BL/6 mice challenged with HPV16-PsVs expressed SP-A in the FRT. However, pre-incubation of HPV16-PsVs with purified human SP-A at a 1:10 (w/w) ratio significantly reduced the level of HPV16-PsV infection. When isolated cells from FRTs of naïve C57BL/6 mice were incubated with HPV16-PsVs and stained for selected innate immune cell populations by flow cytometry, significant increases in HPV16-PsVs uptake by eosinophils, neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages were observed over time using SP-A-pre-adsorbed virions compared to control particles. This study is the first to describe a biochemical and functional association of HPV16 virions with the innate immune molecule SP-A. We show that SP-A impairs HPV16-PsVs infection and propose that SP-A is a potential candidate for use in topical microbicides which provide protection against new HPV infections.
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de la Haye N, Hütten MC, Kunzmann S, Kramer BW. Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and Ureaplasma: What Do We Know So Far? NEONATAL MEDICINE 2017. [DOI: 10.5385/nm.2017.24.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole de la Haye
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Matthias C. Hütten
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC), Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School of Oncology and Developmental Biology (GROW), Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Würzburg University Hospital, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Steffen Kunzmann
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Boris W. Kramer
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC), Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School of Oncology and Developmental Biology (GROW), Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine, Bürgerhospital Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Ujma S, Horsnell WGC, Katz AA, Clark HW, Schäfer G. Non-Pulmonary Immune Functions of Surfactant Proteins A and D. J Innate Immun 2016; 9:3-11. [PMID: 27794581 DOI: 10.1159/000451026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D) are established as essential components of our innate immune system for protecting the lung from pathogens and allergens. They essentially exert their protective functions by regulating pulmonary homeostasis. Both proteins are however widely expressed throughout the body, including the female reproductive tract, urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, the eye, ear, nasal compartment, central nervous system, the coronary artery and the skin. The functions of SP-A and SP-D at these sites are a relatively underinvestigated area, but it is emerging that both SP-A and SP-D contribute significantly to the regulation of inflammation and protection from infection at these sites. This review presents our current understanding of the roles of SP-A and SP-D in non-pulmonary sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Ujma
- UCT Receptor Biology Research Unit, Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Ureaplasma urealyticum Causes Hyperammonemia in an Experimental Immunocompromised Murine Model. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161214. [PMID: 27537683 PMCID: PMC4990232 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperammonemia syndrome is an often fatal complication of lung transplantation which has been recently associated with Ureaplasma infection. It has not been definitely established that Ureaplasma species can cause hyperammonemia. We established a novel immunocompromised murine model of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection and used it to confirm that U. urealyticum can cause hyperammonemia. Male C3H mice were pharmacologically immunosuppressed with mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus and oral prednisone for seven days, and then challenged intratracheally (IT) and/or intraperitoneally (IP) with 107 CFU U. urealyticum over six days, while continuing immunosuppression. Spent U. urealyticum-free U9 broth was used as a negative control, with uninfected immunocompetent mice, uninfected immunosuppressed mice, and infected immunocompetent mice serving as additional controls. Plasma ammonia concentrations were compared using Wilcoxon ranks sum tests. Plasma ammonia concentrations of immunosuppressed mice challenged IT/IP with spent U9 broth (n = 14) (range 155–330 μmol/L) were similar to those of normal mice (n = 5), uninfected immunosuppressed mice (n = 5), and U. urealyticum IT/IP challenged immunocompetent mice (n = 5) [range 99–340 μmol/L, p = 0.60]. However, immunosuppressed mice challenged with U. urealyticum IT/IP (n = 20) or IP (n = 15) had higher plasma ammonia concentrations (range 225–945 μmol/L and 276–687 μmol/L, respectively) than those challenged IT/IP with spent U9 broth (p<0.001). U. urealyticum administered IT/IP or IP causes hyperammonemia in mice pharmacologically immunosuppressed with a regimen similar to that administered to lung transplant recipients.
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Awasthi S, Madhusoodhanan R, Wolf R. Surfactant protein-A and toll-like receptor-4 modulate immune functions of preterm baboon lung dendritic cell precursor cells. Cell Immunol 2011; 268:87-96. [PMID: 21439559 PMCID: PMC3104394 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2011.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2010] [Accepted: 02/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Lung infections are important risk factors for an increased morbidity and mortality in prematurely-delivered babies. Immaturity of the innate immune components makes them extremely susceptible to infection. Recently, we isolated lung dendritic cell (DC)-precursor cells from preterm fetal baboons. The isolated cells were found to be defective in phagocytosing Escherichia coli under basal conditions. In this study, we investigated the effects of exogenously-added purified native lung surfactant protein (SP)-A and recombinant toll-like receptor (TLR)-4-MD2 proteins on phagocytic uptake and cytokine secreting ability of fetal baboon lung DC-precursor cells. The cells were pulsed with SP-A and/or TLR4-MD2 proteins and the phagocytic function was investigated by incubating the cells with fluorescent-labeled E. coli bioparticles and analyzed by spectrofluorometry. The amounts of TNF-α secreted in cell-free supernatants were measured by ELISA. Our results demonstrate that SP-A and TLR4-MD2 proteins, whether added alone or together, induce phagocytosis of E. coli (p<0.05). The SP-A does not affect TNF-α secretion, while the TLR4-MD2 protein induces TNF-α. However, simultaneous addition of SP-A with TLR4-MD2 protein reduces the TLR4-MD2-protein induced TNF-α to basal level. In conclusion, our results indicate that an exogenous administration of SP-A can potentially induce phagocytic activity and anti-inflammatory effect in preterm babies, and help control infection and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanjana Awasthi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA.
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