1
|
Ahmed DW, Eiken MK, DePalma SJ, Helms AS, Zemans RL, Spence JR, Baker BM, Loebel C. Integrating mechanical cues with engineered platforms to explore cardiopulmonary development and disease. iScience 2023; 26:108472. [PMID: 38077130 PMCID: PMC10698280 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Mechanical forces provide critical biological signals to cells during healthy and aberrant organ development as well as during disease processes in adults. Within the cardiopulmonary system, mechanical forces, such as shear, compressive, and tensile forces, act across various length scales, and dysregulated forces are often a leading cause of disease initiation and progression such as in bronchopulmonary dysplasia and cardiomyopathies. Engineered in vitro models have supported studies of mechanical forces in a number of tissue and disease-specific contexts, thus enabling new mechanistic insights into cardiopulmonary development and disease. This review first provides fundamental examples where mechanical forces operate at multiple length scales to ensure precise lung and heart function. Next, we survey recent engineering platforms and tools that have provided new means to probe and modulate mechanical forces across in vitro and in vivo settings. Finally, the potential for interdisciplinary collaborations to inform novel therapeutic approaches for a number of cardiopulmonary diseases are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donia W. Ahmed
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Lurie Biomedical Engineering Building, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Madeline K. Eiken
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Lurie Biomedical Engineering Building, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Samuel J. DePalma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Lurie Biomedical Engineering Building, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Adam S. Helms
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Rachel L. Zemans
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine – Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jason R. Spence
- Department of Internal Medicine – Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Brendon M. Baker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Lurie Biomedical Engineering Building, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Claudia Loebel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Lurie Biomedical Engineering Building, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Margaritte-Jeannin P, Vernet R, Budu-Aggrey A, Ege M, Madore AM, Linhard C, Mohamdi H, von Mutius E, Granell R, Demenais F, Laprise C, Bouzigon E, Dizier MH. TNS1 and NRXN1 Genes Interacting With Early-Life Smoking Exposure in Asthma-Plus-Eczema Susceptibility. ALLERGY, ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH 2023; 15:779-794. [PMID: 37957795 PMCID: PMC10643854 DOI: 10.4168/aair.2023.15.6.779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Numerous genes have been associated with allergic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema), but they explain only part of their heritability. This is partly because most previous studies ignored complex mechanisms such as gene-environment (G-E) interactions and complex phenotypes such as co-morbidity. However, it was recently evidenced that the co-morbidity of asthma-plus-eczema appears as a sub-entity depending on specific genetic factors. Besides, evidence also suggest that gene-by-early life environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure interactions play a role in asthma, but were never investigated for asthma-plus-eczema. To identify genetic variants interacting with ETS exposure that influence asthma-plus-eczema susceptibility. METHODS To conduct a genome-wide interaction study (GWIS) of asthma-plus-eczema according to ETS exposure, we applied a 2-stage strategy with a first selection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from genome-wide association meta-analysis to be tested at a second stage by interaction meta-analysis. All meta-analyses were conducted across 4 studies including a total of 5,516 European-ancestry individuals, of whom 1,164 had both asthma and eczema. RESULTS Two SNPs showed significant interactions with ETS exposure. They were located in 2 genes, NRXN1 (2p16) and TNS1 (2q35), never reported associated and/or interacting with ETS exposure for asthma, eczema or more generally for allergic diseases. TNS1 is a promising candidate gene because of its link to lung and skin diseases with possible interactive effect with tobacco smoke exposure. CONCLUSIONS This first GWIS of asthma-plus-eczema with ETS exposure underlines the importance of studying sub-phenotypes such as co-morbidities as well as G-E interactions to detect new susceptibility genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Margaritte-Jeannin
- Université Paris Cité, UMRS 1124, INSERM, Genomic Epidemiology and Multifactorial Diseases Group, Paris, France
| | - Raphaël Vernet
- Université Paris Cité, UMRS 1124, INSERM, Genomic Epidemiology and Multifactorial Diseases Group, Paris, France
| | - Ashley Budu-Aggrey
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Markus Ege
- Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University; Institute of Asthma and Allergy prevention, Helmholtz Centre Munich; Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC-M), German Center for Lung Research, Munich, Germany
| | - Anne-Marie Madore
- Département des sciences fondamentales, Centre intersectoriel en santé durable (CISD), Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada
| | - Christophe Linhard
- Université Paris Cité, UMRS 1124, INSERM, Genomic Epidemiology and Multifactorial Diseases Group, Paris, France
| | - Hamida Mohamdi
- Université Paris Cité, UMRS 1124, INSERM, Genomic Epidemiology and Multifactorial Diseases Group, Paris, France
| | - Erika von Mutius
- Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University; Institute of Asthma and Allergy prevention, Helmholtz Centre Munich; Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC-M), German Center for Lung Research, Munich, Germany
| | - Raquell Granell
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Florence Demenais
- Université Paris Cité, UMRS 1124, INSERM, Genomic Epidemiology and Multifactorial Diseases Group, Paris, France
| | - Cathrine Laprise
- Département des sciences fondamentales, Centre intersectoriel en santé durable (CISD), Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada
| | - Emmanuelle Bouzigon
- Université Paris Cité, UMRS 1124, INSERM, Genomic Epidemiology and Multifactorial Diseases Group, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Hélène Dizier
- Université Paris Cité, UMRS 1124, INSERM, Genomic Epidemiology and Multifactorial Diseases Group, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mallick I, Panchal P, Kadam S, Mohite P, Scheele J, Seiz W, Agarwal A, Sharma OP. In-silico identification and prioritization of therapeutic targets of asthma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15706. [PMID: 37735578 PMCID: PMC10514284 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42803-w] [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: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a "common chronic disorder that affects the lungs causing variable and recurring symptoms like repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and underlying inflammation. The interaction of these features of asthma determines the clinical manifestations and severity of asthma and the response to treatment" [cited from: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Expert Panel 3 Report. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma 2007 (EPR-3). Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7232/ (accessed on January 3, 2023)]. As per the WHO, 262 million people were affected by asthma in 2019 that leads to 455,000 deaths ( https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma ). In this current study, our aim was to evaluate thousands of scientific documents and asthma associated omics datasets to identify the most crucial therapeutic target for experimental validation. We leveraged the proprietary tool Ontosight® Discover to annotate asthma associated genes and proteins. Additionally, we also collected and evaluated asthma related patient datasets through bioinformatics and machine learning based approaches to identify most suitable targets. Identified targets were further evaluated based on the various biological parameters to scrutinize their candidature for the ideal therapeutic target. We identified 7237 molecular targets from published scientific documents, 2932 targets from genomic structured databases and 7690 dysregulated genes from the transcriptomics and 560 targets from genomics mutational analysis. In total, 18,419 targets from all the desperate sources were analyzed and evaluated though our approach to identify most promising targets in asthma. Our study revealed IL-13 as one of the most important targets for asthma with approved drugs on the market currently. TNF, VEGFA and IL-18 were the other top targets identified to be explored for therapeutic benefit in asthma but need further clinical testing. HMOX1, ITGAM, DDX58, SFTPD and ADAM17 were the top novel targets identified for asthma which needs to be validated experimentally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ishita Mallick
- Innoplexus Consulting Pvt. Ltd, 7th Floor, Midas Tower, Next to STPI Building, Phase 1, Hinjewadi Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, Hinjawadi, Pune, Maharashtra, 411057, India
| | - Pradnya Panchal
- Innoplexus Consulting Pvt. Ltd, 7th Floor, Midas Tower, Next to STPI Building, Phase 1, Hinjewadi Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, Hinjawadi, Pune, Maharashtra, 411057, India
| | - Smita Kadam
- Innoplexus Consulting Pvt. Ltd, 7th Floor, Midas Tower, Next to STPI Building, Phase 1, Hinjewadi Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, Hinjawadi, Pune, Maharashtra, 411057, India
| | - Priyanka Mohite
- Innoplexus Consulting Pvt. Ltd, 7th Floor, Midas Tower, Next to STPI Building, Phase 1, Hinjewadi Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, Hinjawadi, Pune, Maharashtra, 411057, India
| | - Jürgen Scheele
- Innoplexus AG, Frankfurter Str. 27, 65760, Eschborn, Germany
| | - Werner Seiz
- Innoplexus AG, Frankfurter Str. 27, 65760, Eschborn, Germany
| | - Amit Agarwal
- Innoplexus Consulting Pvt. Ltd, 7th Floor, Midas Tower, Next to STPI Building, Phase 1, Hinjewadi Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, Hinjawadi, Pune, Maharashtra, 411057, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dessie EY, Gautam Y, Ding L, Altaye M, Beyene J, Mersha TB. Development and validation of asthma risk prediction models using co-expression gene modules and machine learning methods. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11279. [PMID: 37438356 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35866-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a heterogeneous respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation and obstruction. Despite recent advances, the genetic regulation of asthma pathogenesis is still largely unknown. Gene expression profiling techniques are well suited to study complex diseases including asthma. In this study, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) followed by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and machine learning techniques using dataset generated from airway epithelial cells (AECs) and nasal epithelial cells (NECs) were used to identify candidate genes and pathways and to develop asthma classification and predictive models. The models were validated using bronchial epithelial cells (BECs), airway smooth muscle (ASM) and whole blood (WB) datasets. DEG and WGCNA followed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method identified 30 and 34 gene signatures and these gene signatures with support vector machine (SVM) discriminated asthmatic subjects from controls in AECs (Area under the curve: AUC = 1) and NECs (AUC = 1), respectively. We further validated AECs derived gene-signature in BECs (AUC = 0.72), ASM (AUC = 0.74) and WB (AUC = 0.66). Similarly, NECs derived gene-signature were validated in BECs (AUC = 0.75), ASM (AUC = 0.82) and WB (AUC = 0.69). Both AECs and NECs based gene-signatures showed a strong diagnostic performance with high sensitivity and specificity. Functional annotation of gene-signatures from AECs and NECs were enriched in pathways associated with IL-13, PI3K/AKT and apoptosis signaling. Several asthma related genes were prioritized including SERPINB2 and CTSC genes, which showed functional relevance in multiple tissue/cell types and related to asthma pathogenesis. Taken together, epithelium gene signature-based model could serve as robust surrogate model for hard-to-get tissues including BECs to improve the molecular etiology of asthma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eskezeia Y Dessie
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Yadu Gautam
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Lili Ding
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Mekibib Altaye
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Joseph Beyene
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Tesfaye B Mersha
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bhat S, Rotti H, Prasad K, Kabekkodu SP, Saadi AV, Shenoy SP, Joshi KS, Nesari TM, Shengule SA, Dedge AP, Gadgil MS, Dhumal VR, Salvi S, Satyamoorthy K. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling after Ayurveda intervention to bronchial asthmatics identifies differential methylation in several transcription factors with immune process related function. J Ayurveda Integr Med 2023; 14:100692. [PMID: 37018893 PMCID: PMC10122039 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2023.100692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Indian traditional medicinal system, Ayurveda, describes several lifestyle practices, processes and medicines as an intervention to treat asthma. Rasayana therapy is one of them and although these treatment modules show improvement in bronchial asthma, their mechanism of action, particularly the effect on DNA methylation, is largely understudied. OBJECTIVES Our study aimed at identifying the contribution of DNA methylation changes in modulating bronchial asthma phenotype upon Ayurveda intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, genome-wide methylation profiling in peripheral blood DNA of healthy controls and bronchial asthmatics before (BT) and after (AT) Ayurveda treatment was performed using array-based profiling of reference-independent methylation status (aPRIMES) coupled to microarray technique. RESULTS We identified 4820 treatment-associated DNA methylation signatures (TADS) and 11,643 asthma-associated DNA methylation signatures (AADS), differentially methylated [FDR (≤0.1) adjusted p-values] in AT and HC groups respectively, compared to BT group. Neurotrophin TRK receptor signaling pathway was significantly enriched for differentially methylated genes in bronchial asthmatics, compared to AT and HC subjects. Additionally, we identified over 100 differentially methylated immune-related genes located in the promoter/5'-UTR regions of TADS and AADS. Various immediate-early response and immune regulatory genes with functions such as transcription factor activity (FOXD1, FOXD2, GATA6, HOXA3, HOXA5, MZF1, NFATC1, NKX2-2, NKX2-3, RUNX1, KLF11), G-protein coupled receptor activity (CXCR4, PTGER4), G-protein coupled receptor binding (UCN), DNA binding (JARID2, EBF2, SOX9), SNARE binding (CAPN10), transmembrane signaling receptor activity (GP1BB), integrin binding (ITGA6), calcium ion binding (PCDHGA12), actin binding (TRPM7, PANX1, TPM1), receptor tyrosine kinase binding (PIK3R2), receptor activity (GDNF), histone methyltransferase activity (MLL5), and catalytic activity (TSTA3) were found to show consistent methylation status between AT and HC group in microarray data. CONCLUSIONS Our study reports the DNA methylation-regulated genes in bronchial asthmatics showing improvement in symptoms after Ayurveda intervention. DNA methylation regulation in the identified genes and pathways represents the Ayurveda intervention responsive genes and may be further explored as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers for bronchial asthma in peripheral blood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Smitha Bhat
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Harish Rotti
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Keshava Prasad
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Shama Prasada Kabekkodu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Abdul Vahab Saadi
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Sushma P Shenoy
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Kalpana S Joshi
- Department of Biotechnology, Sinhgad College of Engineering, S. P. University of Pune, Pune Maharashtra, India
| | - Tanuja M Nesari
- Department of Dravyaguna, Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sushant A Shengule
- Department of Biotechnology, Sinhgad College of Engineering, S. P. University of Pune, Pune Maharashtra, India
| | - Amrish P Dedge
- Department of Dravyaguna, Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Maithili S Gadgil
- Department of Biotechnology, Sinhgad College of Engineering, S. P. University of Pune, Pune Maharashtra, India
| | - Vikram R Dhumal
- Department of Dravyaguna, Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sundeep Salvi
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Chest Research Foundation, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Kapaettu Satyamoorthy
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wu Q, Liu J, Deng J, Chen Y. Long non-coding RNA HOTTIP induces inflammation in asthma by promoting EFNA3 transcription by CCCTC-binding factor. Am J Transl Res 2022; 14:8903-8917. [PMID: 36628218 PMCID: PMC9827298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) function as vital regulators in biologic processes and are dysregulated in various tumors; however, little is known about their role in the inflammatory response in asthma. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the function of antisense HOXA terminal transcriptional RNA (HOTTIP) and its possible mechanism in the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced inflammatory response in asthmatic mice. METHODS Asthma-related data resources from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were extracted to explore the relationships between lncRNAs and asthma, and the lncRNA HOTTIP was identified. The probable effect of HOTTIP on airway inflammation was elaborated by ELISA and histopathologic analysis in OVA-sensitized mice. The online database excavation combined with RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter gene assay, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay were used to analyze the targeted regulation relationship among HOTTIP, CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), and Ephrin A3 (EFNA3). In addition, in vivo verification of EFNA3's role in inflammation was conducted in OVA-treated mice. RESULTS HOTTIP was upregulated in asthmatic mice and downregulating HOTTIP in the mice model of asthma markedly reduced inflammation, and caused less infiltration of inflammatory cells, and secretions of IgE, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13. Mechanistically, the data indicate that HOTTIP promoted EFNA3 transcription by recruiting CTCF to the EFNA3 promoter. Interestingly, the knockdown of EFNA3 alleviated inflammation in the asthma model. CONCLUSION HOTTIP facilitates the airway inflammatory response by regulating EFNA3 transcription, providing a therapeutic target for asthma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Wu
- Department of Respiratory, Shanghai Yangpu District Kongjiang HospitalShanghai, China
| | - Jinming Liu
- Department of Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital Affiliated to Tongji UniversityShanghai, China
| | - Jie Deng
- Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuanjing Chen
- Department of Respiratory, Shanghai Yangpu District Kongjiang HospitalShanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Qian Y, Sun Y, Chen Y, Mao Z, Shi Y, Wu D, Gu B, Liu Z, Zhang Q. Nrf2 regulates downstream genes by targeting miR-29b in severe asthma and the role of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract in a murine model of steroid-insensitive asthma. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2022; 60:347-358. [PMID: 35171066 PMCID: PMC8856085 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2022.2032205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) is effective in treating severe asthma (SA). OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between Nrf2-miR-29b axis and SA, and to detect whether preventive use of GSPE relieves SA via it. MATERIALS AND METHODS We recruited 10 healthy controls, 10 patients with non-severe asthma (nSA), and 9 patients with SA from February 2017 to December 2017. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from these volunteers were extracted. A murine model of steroid-insensitive asthma was established in six-week-old female BALB/c mice that were sensitised and challenged with OVA, Al(OH)3 and LPS for 31 days. Mice in the treated groups were injected with DXM (5 mg/kg/d), with or without GSPE (100 mg/kg/d). Control group received PBS. We performed quantitative real-time PCR, western blot and luciferase reporter assay in animal and cell models. RESULTS SA group demonstrated significantly lower concentrations of Nrf2 protein, Nrf2 mRNA, and miR-29b than nSA group and control group. Conversely, higher levels of platelet derived growth factor C (PDGFC), phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 1 (PIK3R1), and collagen type III alpha 1 (COL3A1) were measured in SA than in the other two groups. PDGFC, PIK3R1, and COL3A1 were the target genes of miR-29b. GSPE + DXM significantly elevated the expression of Nrf2 (+188%), Nrf2 mRNA (+506%), and miR-29b (+201%), and significantly reduced the expression of PDGFC (-72%), PIK3R1 (-40%), and COL3A1 (-65%) compared with OVA + LPS. CONCLUSIONS Nrf2-miR-29b axis is involved in the pathogenesis of SA. GSPE, as an adjuvant drug, maybe a potential therapeutic agent for SA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Qian
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yun Sun
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yi Chen
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Zhengdao Mao
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yujia Shi
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Di Wu
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Bin Gu
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Zhiguang Liu
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rathod R, Zhang H, Karmaus W, Ewart S, Mzayek F, Arshad SH, Holloway JW. Association of childhood BMI trajectory with post-adolescent and adult lung function is mediated by pre-adolescent DNA methylation. Respir Res 2022; 23:194. [PMID: 35906571 PMCID: PMC9335987 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-022-02089-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Body mass index (BMI) has been shown to be associated with lung function. Recent findings showed that DNA methylation (DNAm) variation is likely to be a consequence of changes in BMI. However, whether DNAm mediates the association of BMI with lung function is unknown. We examined the mediating role of DNAm on the association of pre-adolescent BMI trajectories with post-adolescent and adulthood lung function (forced expiratory volume (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC). METHODS Analyses were undertaken in the Isle of Wight birth cohort (IOWBC). Group-based trajectory modelling was applied to infer latent BMI trajectories from age 1 to 10 years. An R package, ttscreening, was applied to identify CpGs at 10 years potentially associated with BMI trajectories for each sex. Linear regressions were implemented to further screen CpGs for their association with lung function at 18 years. Path analysis, stratified by sex, was applied to each screened CpG to assess its role of mediation. Internal validation was applied to further examine the mediation consistency of the detected CpGs based on lung function at 26 years. Mendelian randomization (MR-base) was used to test possible causal effects of the identified CpGs. RESULTS Two BMI trajectories (high vs. low) were identified. Of the 442,475 CpG sites, 18 CpGs in males and 33 in females passed screening. Eight CpGs in males and 16 CpGs in females (none overlapping) were identified as mediators. For subjects with high BMI trajectory, high DNAm at all CpGs in males were associated with decreased lung function, while 8 CpGs in females were associated with increased lung function at 18 years. At 26 years, 6 CpGs in males and 14 CpGs in females showed the same direction of indirect effects as those at 18 years. DNAm at CpGs cg19088553 (GRIK2) and cg00612625 (HPSE2) showed a potential causal effect on FEV1. CONCLUSIONS The effects of BMI trajectory in early childhood on post-adolescence lung function were likely to be mediated by pre-adolescence DNAm in both males and females, but such mediation effects were likely to diminish over time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rutu Rathod
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, 38152-0001, USA
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, 38152-0001, USA.
| | - Wilfried Karmaus
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, 38152-0001, USA
| | - Susan Ewart
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Fawaz Mzayek
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, 38152-0001, USA
| | - S Hasan Arshad
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Centre, Isle of Wight, UK
| | - John W Holloway
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Janulaityte I, Januskevicius A, Rimkunas A, Palacionyte J, Vitkauskiene A, Malakauskas K. Asthmatic Eosinophils Alter the Gene Expression of Extracellular Matrix Proteins in Airway Smooth Muscle Cells and Pulmonary Fibroblasts. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:4086. [PMID: 35456903 PMCID: PMC9031271 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The impaired production of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins by airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) and pulmonary fibroblasts (PF) is a part of airway remodeling in asthma. This process might be influenced by eosinophils that migrate to the airway and abundantly secrete various cytokines, including TGF-β. We aimed to investigate the effect of asthmatic eosinophils on the gene expression of ECM proteins in ASMC and PF. A total of 34 study subjects were recruited: 14 with allergic asthma (AA), 9 with severe non-allergic eosinophilic asthma (SNEA), and 11 healthy subjects (HS). All AA patients underwent bronchial allergen challenge with D. pteronyssinus. The peripheral blood eosinophils were isolated using high-density centrifugation and magnetic separation. The individual cell cultures were made using hTERT ASMC and MRC-5 cell lines and the subjects' eosinophils. The gene expression of ECM and the TGF-β signaling pathway was analyzed using qRT-PCR. We found that asthmatic eosinophils significantly promoted collagen I, fibronectin, versican, tenascin C, decorin, vitronectin, periostin, vimentin, MMP-9, ADAM33, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 gene expression in ASMC and collagen I, collagen III, fibronectin, elastin, decorin, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 gene expression in PF compared with the HS eosinophil effect. The asthmatic eosinophils significantly increased the gene expression of several canonical and non-canonical TGF-β signaling pathway components in ASMC and PF compared with the HS eosinophil effect. The allergen-activated AA and SNEA eosinophils had a greater effect on these changes. In conclusion, asthmatic eosinophils, especially SNEA and allergen-activated eosinophils, imbalanced the gene expression of ECM proteins and their degradation-regulating proteins. These changes were associated with increased gene expression of TGF-β signaling pathway molecules in ASMC and PF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ieva Janulaityte
- Laboratory of Pulmonology, Department of Pulmonology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.J.); (A.R.); (K.M.)
| | - Andrius Januskevicius
- Laboratory of Pulmonology, Department of Pulmonology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.J.); (A.R.); (K.M.)
| | - Airidas Rimkunas
- Laboratory of Pulmonology, Department of Pulmonology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.J.); (A.R.); (K.M.)
| | - Jolita Palacionyte
- Department of Pulmonology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Astra Vitkauskiene
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Kestutis Malakauskas
- Laboratory of Pulmonology, Department of Pulmonology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.J.); (A.R.); (K.M.)
- Department of Pulmonology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sun X, Shen W, Li Z, Zhang W. CCCTC-binding factor transcriptionally regulates Galectin-7 and activates the JNK/STAT3 axis to aggravate bronchial epithelial cell injury. Pediatr Pulmonol 2022; 57:90-99. [PMID: 34643340 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.25726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Studies have shown that the expression of CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) is significantly upregulated in the airway epithelial cells of asthmatic patients, suggesting that CTCF may play an important role in the progression of asthma. MATERIAL/METHODS Human bronchial epithelial cells BEAS-2B were stimulated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) at a concentration of 10 ng/ml, and CTCF overexpression plasmid and CTCF small interfering RNA were transfected into the cells. The proliferation, apoptosis, inflammatory factor secretion, and airway remodeling marker protein expression of injured cells were detected. We bidirectionally regulated Galectin-7 expression in TGF-β1-induced BEAS-2B cells and overexpress CTCF, while interfering with Galectin-7 to further explore the regulatory effect of CTCF on Galectin-7. We introduced SP600125, a c-Jun N-terminal kinase c-Jun (JNK) pathway inhibitor, to investigate whether CTCF affects asthma progression through the JNK pathway. RESULTS The expression of CTCF in BEAS-2B cells induced by TGF-β1 was significantly upregulated, interfering with CTCF expression promoted cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, reduced inflammatory factors secretion, and decreased the expression of airway remodeling marker protein. Luciferase reporter gene analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation verified that CTCF directly bound to Galectin-7 promoter. The effect of Galectin-7 on cells is consistent with the effect of CTCF on cells. The regulatory effect of CTCF on injured cells was indeed mediated by activation of the JNK/STAT3 axis. CONCLUSIONS CTCF transcriptionally regulated Galectin-7 and activated JNK/STAT3 axis to aggravate bronchial epithelial cell injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinrong Sun
- Department of Hematology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenna Shen
- Department of Respiration, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | | | - Wanggang Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Repetitive aeroallergen challenges elucidate maladaptive epithelial and inflammatory traits that underpin allergic airway diseases. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2021; 148:533-549. [PMID: 33493557 PMCID: PMC8298629 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Signifying the 2-compartments/1-disease paradigm, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) and asthma (AA) are prevalent, comorbid conditions triggered by environmental factors (eg, house dust mites [HDMs]). However, despite the ubiquity of triggers, progression to severe ARC/AA is infrequent, suggesting either resilience or adaptation. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether ARC/AA severity relates to maladaptive responses to disease triggers. METHODS Adults with HDM-associated ARC were challenged repetitively with HDMs in an aeroallergen challenge chamber. Mechanistic traits associated with disease severity were identified. RESULTS HDM challenges evoked maladaptive (persistently higher ARC symptoms), adaptive (progressive symptom reduction), and resilient (resistance to symptom induction) phenotypes. Symptom severity in the natural environment was an imprecise correlate of the phenotypes. Nasal airway traits, defined by low inflammation-effectual epithelial integrity, moderate inflammation-effectual epithelial integrity, and higher inflammation-ineffectual epithelial integrity, were hallmarks of the resilient, adaptive, and maladaptive evoked phenotypes, respectively. Highlighting a crosstalk mechanism, peripheral blood inflammatory tone calibrated these traits: ineffectual epithelial integrity associated with CD8+ T cells, whereas airway inflammation associated with both CD8+ T cells and eosinophils. Hallmark peripheral blood maladaptive traits were increased natural killer and CD8+ T cells, lower CD4+ mucosal-associated invariant T cells, and deficiencies along the TLR-IRF-IFN antiviral pathway. Maladaptive traits tracking HDM-associated ARC also contributed to AA risk and severity models. CONCLUSIONS Repetitive challenges with HDMs revealed that maladaptation to disease triggers may underpin ARC/AA disease severity. A combinatorial therapeutic approach may involve reversal of loss-of-beneficial-function traits (ineffectual epithelial integrity, TLR-IRF-IFN deficiencies), mitigation of gain-of-adverse-function traits (inflammation), and blocking of a detrimental crosstalk between the peripheral blood and airway compartments.
Collapse
|
12
|
Margaritte-Jeannin P, Budu-Aggrey A, Ege M, Madore AM, Linhard C, Mohamdi H, von Mutius E, Granell R, Demenais F, Laprise C, Bouzigon E, Dizier MH. Identification of OCA2 as a novel locus for the co-morbidity of asthma-plus-eczema. Clin Exp Allergy 2021; 52:70-81. [PMID: 34155719 DOI: 10.1111/cea.13972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous genes have been associated with the three most common allergic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis or eczema) but these genes explain only a part of the heritability. In the vast majority of genetic studies, complex phenotypes such as co-morbidity of two of these diseases, have not been considered. This may partly explain missing heritability. OBJECTIVE To identify genetic variants specifically associated with the co-morbidity of asthma-plus-eczema. METHODS We first conducted a meta-analysis of four GWAS (Genome-Wide Association Study) of the combined asthma-plus-eczema phenotype (total of 8807 European-ancestry subjects of whom 1208 subjects had both asthma and eczema). To assess whether the association with SNP(s) was specific to the co-morbidity, we also conducted a meta-analysis of homogeneity test of association according to disease status ("asthma-plus-eczema" vs. the presence of only one disease "asthma only or eczema only"). We then used a joint test by combining the two test statistics from the co-morbidity-SNP association and the phenotypic heterogeneity of SNP effect meta-analyses. RESULTS Seven SNPs were detected for specific association to the asthma-plus-eczema co-morbidity, two with significant and five with suggestive evidence using the joint test after correction for multiple testing. The two significant SNPs are located in the OCA2 gene (Oculocutaneous Albinism II), a new locus never detected for significant evidence of association with any allergic disease. This gene is a promising candidate gene, because of its link to skin and lung diseases, and to epithelial barrier and immune mechanisms. CONCLUSION Our study underlines the importance of studying sub-phenotypes as co-morbidities to detect new susceptibility genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ashley Budu-Aggrey
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Markus Ege
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC-M), German Center for Lung Research, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Anne-Marie Madore
- Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Centre Intersectoriel en Santé Durable (CISD), Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Erika von Mutius
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC-M), German Center for Lung Research, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Raquel Granell
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Catherine Laprise
- Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Centre Intersectoriel en Santé Durable (CISD), Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
TSLP-induced collagen type-I synthesis through STAT3 and PRMT1 is sensitive to calcitriol in human lung fibroblasts. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2021; 1868:119083. [PMID: 34147561 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.119083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Airway wall remodeling, a main pathology of asthma was linked to vitamin-D deficiency and protein arginine methyltransferase-1 (PRMT1) expression in sub-epithelial cell layers. Calcitriol reduced remodeling in asthma model, but its mode of action is unclear. This study assessed the effect of calcitriol on PRMT1-dependent fibroblast remodeling in human lung fibroblasts, and allergen-induced asthma in E3-rats. Fibroblasts were activated with thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TLSP); asthma was induced by ovalbumin inhalation in rats. The airway structure was assessed by immunohistology. Protein expression in fibroblasts and activation of the mitogen activated protein kinases were detected by Western-blotting. Transcription factor activation was determined by luciferase reporter assay. PRMT1 action was blocked by siRNA and PRMT-inhibition. Ovalbumin upregulated the expression of TSLP, PRMT1, matrix metallopro-teinase-1 (MMP1), interleukin-25, and collagen type-I in sub-epithelial fibroblasts. In isolated fibroblasts, TSLP induced the same proteins, which were blocked by inhibition of Erk1/2 and p38. TLSP induced PRMT1 through activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3. PRMT1 inhibition reduced collagen type-I expression and suppressed MMP1. In fibroblasts, calcitriol supplementation over 12 days prevented TSLP-induced remodeling by blocking the PRMT1 levels. Interestingly, short-term calcitriol treatment had no such effect. The data support the beneficial role of calcitriol in asthma therapy.
Collapse
|
14
|
Asthma genomics and pharmacogenomics. Curr Opin Immunol 2020; 66:136-142. [PMID: 33171417 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2020.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we summarize recent published work interrogating the relationship between genetic variation or gene expression regulation across the genome and asthma or asthma treatment outcomes. This includes 11 genome-wide association studies of asthma phenotypes that collectively identified 64 novel loci; transcriptome-wide asthma association studies which identified genes involved in virus recognition, bacterial infection, lung tissue remodeling, eosinophilic and neutrophilic inflammation and genes in the chromosome 17q12 asthma susceptibility locus; and three epigenome-wide studies of asthma that had robust sample sizes and replicated findings. We also highlight pharmacogenomic studies of corticosteroids, bronchodilator response to albuterol and zileuton, although finding from these studies may still be preliminary due to their relatively small sample sizes and limited availability of replication cohorts.
Collapse
|
15
|
Ijpma G, Kachmar L, Panariti A, Matusovsky OS, Torgerson D, Benedetti A, Lauzon AM. Intrapulmonary airway smooth muscle is hyperreactive with a distinct proteome in asthma. Eur Respir J 2020; 56:13993003.02178-2019. [PMID: 32299863 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02178-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Constriction of airways during asthmatic exacerbation is the result of airway smooth muscle (ASM) contraction. Although it is generally accepted that ASM is hypercontractile in asthma, this has not been unambiguously demonstrated. Whether airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is the result of increased ASM mass alone or also increased contractile force generation per unit of muscle directly determines the potential avenues for treatment.To assess whether ASM is hypercontractile we performed a series of mechanics measurements on isolated ASM from intrapulmonary airways and trachealis from human lungs. We analysed the ASM and whole airway proteomes to verify if proteomic shifts contribute to changes in ASM properties.We report an increase in isolated ASM contractile stress and stiffness specific to asthmatic human intrapulmonary bronchi, the site of increased airway resistance in asthma. Other contractile parameters were not altered. Principal component analysis (PCA) of unbiased mass spectrometry data showed clear clustering of asthmatic subjects with respect to ASM specific proteins. The whole airway proteome showed upregulation of structural proteins. We did not find any evidence for a difference in the regulation of myosin activity in the asthmatic ASM.In conclusion, we showed that ASM is indeed hyperreactive at the level of intrapulmonary airways in asthma. We identified several proteins that are upregulated in asthma that could contribute to hyperreactivity. Our data also suggest enhanced force transmission associated with enrichment of structural proteins in the whole airway. These findings may lead to novel directions for treatment development in asthma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gijs Ijpma
- Dept of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Linda Kachmar
- Dept of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Alice Panariti
- Dept of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Oleg S Matusovsky
- Dept of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Dara Torgerson
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Andrea Benedetti
- Dept of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Dept of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anne-Marie Lauzon
- Dept of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada .,Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Novel Comprehensive Bioinformatics Approaches to Determine the Molecular Genetic Susceptibility Profile of Moderate and Severe Asthma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114022. [PMID: 32512817 PMCID: PMC7312607 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition linked to hyperresponsiveness in the airways. There is currently no cure available for asthma, and therapy choices are limited. Asthma is the result of the interplay between genes and the environment. The exact molecular genetic mechanism of asthma remains elusive. Aims: The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive, detailed molecular etiology profile for the molecular factors that regulate the severity of asthma and pathogenicity using integrative bioinformatics tools. Methods: The GSE43696 omnibus gene expression dataset, which contains 50 moderate cases, 38 severe cases, and 20 healthy controls, was used to investigate differentially expressed genes (DEGs), susceptible chromosomal loci, gene networks, pathways, gene ontologies, and protein–protein interactions (PPIs) using an intensive bioinformatics pipeline. Results: The PPI network analysis yielded DEGs that contribute to interactions that differ from moderate-to-severe asthma. The combined interaction scores resulted in higher interactions for the genes STAT3, AGO2, COL1A1, CLCN6, and KSR for moderate asthma and JAK2, INSR, ERBB2, NR3C1, and PTK6 for severe asthma. Enrichment analysis (EA) demonstrated differential enrichment between moderate and severe asthma phenotypes; the ion transport regulation pathway was significantly enhanced in severe asthma phenotypes compared to that in moderate asthma phenotypes and involved PER2, GCR, IRS-2, KCNK7, KCNK6, NOX1, and SCN7A. The most enriched common pathway in both moderate and severe asthma is the development of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling pathway followed by glucocorticoid-mediated inhibition of proinflammatory and proconstrictory signaling in the airway of smooth muscle cell pathways. Gene sets were shared between severe and moderate asthma at 16 chromosome locations, including 17p13.1, 16p11.2, 17q21.31, 1p36, and 19q13.2, while 60 and 48 chromosomal locations were unique for both moderate and severe asthma, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis for DEGs showed that several genes have been intersected in phases of asthma in the same cluster of genes. This could indicate that several asthma-associated genes have a common ancestor and could be linked to the same biological function or gene family, implying the importance of these genes in the pathogenesis of asthma. Conclusion: New genetic risk factors for the development of moderate-to-severe asthma were identified in this study, and these could provide a better understanding of the molecular pathology of asthma and might provide a platform for the treatment of asthma.
Collapse
|
17
|
Airway remodelling with spatial correlations: Implications for asthma pathogenesis. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2020; 279:103469. [PMID: 32473215 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2020.103469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Airway remodelling is a cardinal feature of asthma in which airways undergo structural changes - in particular, increased airway smooth muscle mass and total airway wall area. Remodelling has long been thought to have functional consequences in asthma due to geometric effects that can increase airway narrowing and luminal occlusion. Prior studies have examined the distribution of remodelling between and within patients, but none have yet considered the possibility for spatial correlations in airway remodelling. That is, is remodelling clustered locally, or interrelated along proximal and distal locations of the bronchial tree? In view of recent interest regarding airway remodelling produced by mechanical stimuli, we developed a mathematical model to examine whether spatial correlations in airway remodelling could arise due to cycles of bronchoconstriction and mechanotransduction. Further, we compared modelling predictions to the spatial distribution of airway remodelling in lungs from subjects with and without asthma. Results indicate that spatial correlations in airway remodelling do exist in vivo, and cycles of bronchoconstriction and mechanotransduction are one plausible mechanism for their origin. These findings offer insights into the evolution of airway remodelling in asthma, which may inform strategies for treatment and prevention.
Collapse
|
18
|
Janulaityte I, Januskevicius A, Kalinauskaite-Zukauske V, Bajoriuniene I, Malakauskas K. In Vivo Allergen-Activated Eosinophils Promote Collagen I and Fibronectin Gene Expression in Airway Smooth Muscle Cells via TGF- β1 Signaling Pathway in Asthma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1837. [PMID: 32155894 PMCID: PMC7084581 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Eosinophils infiltration and releasing TGF-β1 in the airways has been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma, especially during acute episodes provoked by an allergen. TGF-β1 is a major mediator involved in pro-inflammatory responses and fibrotic tissue remodeling in asthma. We aimed to evaluate the effect of in vivo allergen-activated eosinophils on the expression of COL1A1 and FN in ASM cells in asthma. A total of 12 allergic asthma patients and 11 healthy subjects were examined. All study subjects underwent bronchial challenge with D. pteronyssinus allergen. Eosinophils from peripheral blood were isolated before and 24 h after the bronchial allergen challenge using high-density centrifugation and magnetic separation. Individual co-cultures of blood eosinophils and immortalized human ASM cells were prepared. The TGF-β1 concentration in culture supernatants was analyzed using ELISA. Gene expression was analyzed using qRT-PCR. Eosinophils integrins were suppressed with linear RGDS peptide before co-culture with ASM cells. Results: The expression of TGF-β1 in asthmatic eosinophils significantly increased over non-activated asthmatic eosinophils after allergen challenge, p < 0.001. The TGF-β1 concentration in culture supernatants was significantly higher in samples with allergen-activated asthmatic eosinophils compared to baseline, p < 0.05. The effect of allergen-activated asthmatic eosinophils on the expression of TGF-β1, COL1A1, and FN in ASM cells was more significant compared to non-activated eosinophils, p < 0.05, however, no difference was found on WNT-5A expression. The incubation of allergen-activated asthmatic eosinophils with RGDS peptide was more effective compared to non-activated eosinophils as the gene expression in ASM cells was downregulated equally to the same level as healthy eosinophils.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ieva Janulaityte
- Laboratory of Pulmonology, Department of Pulmonology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.J.); (K.M.)
| | - Andrius Januskevicius
- Laboratory of Pulmonology, Department of Pulmonology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.J.); (K.M.)
| | | | - Ieva Bajoriuniene
- Department of Immunology and Allergology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Kestutis Malakauskas
- Laboratory of Pulmonology, Department of Pulmonology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.J.); (K.M.)
- Department of Pulmonology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Gál Z, Gézsi A, Molnár V, Nagy A, Kiss A, Sultész M, Csoma Z, Tamási L, Gálffy G, Bálint BL, Póliska S, Szalai C. Investigation of the Possible Role of Tie2 Pathway and TEK Gene in Asthma and Allergic Conjunctivitis. Front Genet 2020; 11:128. [PMID: 32180797 PMCID: PMC7057532 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Tie2, coded by the TEK gene, is a tyrosine kinase receptor and plays a central role in vascular stability. It was suggested that variations in the TEK gene might influence the susceptibility to asthma and allergic conjunctivitis. The aim of this study was to further investigate these suggestions, involving different populations and to study the Tie2 related pathway on a mouse model of asthma. The discovery, stage I cohort involved 306 patients with moderate and severe allergic rhinitis, the stage II study consisted of four cohorts, namely, adult and pediatric asthmatics and corresponding controls. Altogether, there were 1,258 unrelated individuals in these cohorts, out of which 63.9% were children and 36.1% were adults. In stage I, 112 SNPs were screened in the TEK gene of the patients in order to search for associations with asthma and allergic conjunctivitis. The top associated SNPs were selected for association studies on the replication cohorts. The rs3824410 SNP was nominally associated with a reduced risk of asthma in the stage I cohort and with severe asthma within the asthmatic population (p=0.009; OR=0.48) in the replication cohort. In the stage I study, 5 SNPs were selected in conjunctivitis. Due to the low number of adult patients with conjunctivitis, only children were involved in stage II. Within the asthmatic children, the rs622232 SNP was associated with conjunctivitis in boys in the dominant model (p=0.004; OR=4.76), while the rs7034505 showed association to conjunctivitis in girls (p=0.012; OR=2.42). In the lung of a mouse model of asthma, expression changes of 10 Tie2 pathway-related genes were evaluated at three points in time. Eighty percent of the selected genes showed significant changes in their expressions at least at one time point during the process, leading from sensitization to allergic airway inflammation. The expressions of both the Tek gene and its ligands showed a reduced level at all time points. In conclusion, our results provide additional proof that the Tie2 pathway, the TEK gene and its variations might have a role in asthma and allergic conjunctivitis. The gene and its associated pathways can be potential therapeutic targets in both diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zsófia Gál
- Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Gézsi
- Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Viktor Molnár
- Institute of Genomic Medicine and Rare Disorders, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Adrienne Nagy
- Department of Allergology, Heim Pál Children's Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Kiss
- Department of Urology, Heim Pál Children's Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Monika Sultész
- Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Heim Pál Children's Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Csoma
- Outpatient Care for Allergy and Asthma, National Korányi Institute of TB and Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lilla Tamási
- Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Gálffy
- Adult Inpatient Care, Pulmonology Hospital Törökbálint, Törökbálint, Hungary
| | - Bálint L Bálint
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Genomic Medicine & Bioinformatic Core Facility, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Szilárd Póliska
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Genomic Medicine & Bioinformatic Core Facility, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Csaba Szalai
- Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Research and Development, Heim Pál Children's Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Unravelling the complexity of tissue inflammation in uncontrolled and severe asthma. Curr Opin Pulm Med 2020; 25:79-86. [PMID: 30422896 DOI: 10.1097/mcp.0000000000000536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The clinical and inflammatory heterogeneity in asthma constitutes a major challenge for improved treatment. This review describes the nature of the inflammatory complexity and how it can be decoded to yield improved disease understanding and personalized treatment. The focus is on the difficult task of revealing the immunological complexity as it occurs inside diseased patient tissues. RECENT FINDINGS The inflammatory heterogeneity in asthma stretches beyond the classical division into allergic Th2 eosinophilic versus Th1 and/or Th17 neutrophilic (or paucigranulocytic) phenotypes. Rather than having one distinct type of inflammation, many patients display a patchwork of overlapping immune signatures. The patient diversity is further increased by differences in regard of distal lung involvement. Faced with this staggering complexity, calls have been made for a pragmatic biomarker-guided identification of treatable traits. In parallel, novel high-dimensional analyses and multiplex imaging aid the long-term goal of decoding the underlying molecular endotypes. SUMMARY Asthma is vastly heterogeneous with multiple and superimposed inflammatory and anatomical phenotypes. Despite the intensive research and introduction of highly immune-selective dugs, basic questions remain; especially as still too many of today's uncontrolled patients remain poorly understood. Here, pragmatic biomarker strategies, combined with novel methodological approaches that ultimately reveal the complete immunological complexity, will pave the way for improved differential diagnosis and personalized medication.
Collapse
|
21
|
Sugier PE, Sarnowski C, Granell R, Laprise C, Ege MJ, Margaritte-Jeannin P, Dizier MH, Minelli C, Moffatt MF, Lathrop M, Cookson WOCM, Henderson AJ, von Mutius E, Kogevinas M, Demenais F, Bouzigon E. Genome-wide interaction study of early-life smoking exposure on time-to-asthma onset in childhood. Clin Exp Allergy 2019; 49:1342-1351. [PMID: 31379025 DOI: 10.1111/cea.13476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma, a heterogeneous disease with variable age of onset, results from the interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Early-life tobacco smoke (ELTS) exposure is a major asthma risk factor. Only a few genetic loci have been reported to interact with ELTS exposure in asthma. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to identify new loci interacting with ELTS exposure on time-to-asthma onset (TAO) in childhood. METHODS We conducted genome-wide interaction analyses of ELTS exposure on time-to-asthma onset in childhood in five European-ancestry studies (totalling 8273 subjects) using Cox proportional-hazard model. The results of all five genome-wide analyses were meta-analysed. RESULTS The 13q21 locus showed genome-wide significant interaction with ELTS exposure (P = 4.3 × 10-8 for rs7334050 within KLHL1 with consistent results across the five studies). Suggestive interactions (P < 5 × 10-6 ) were found at three other loci: 20p12 (rs13037508 within MACROD2; P = 4.9 × 10-7 ), 14q22 (rs7493885 near NIN; P = 2.9 × 10-6 ) and 2p22 (rs232542 near CYP1B1; P = 4.1 × 10-6 ). Functional annotations and the literature showed that the lead SNPs at these four loci influence DNA methylation in the blood and are located nearby CpG sites reported to be associated with exposure to tobacco smoke components, which strongly support our findings. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE We identified novel candidate genes interacting with ELTS exposure on time-to-asthma onset in childhood. These genes have plausible biological relevance related to tobacco smoke exposure. Further epigenetic and functional studies are needed to confirm these findings and to shed light on the underlying mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Emmanuel Sugier
- Genetic Epidemiology and Functional Genomics of Multifactorial Diseases Team, Inserm, UMRS-1124, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Chloé Sarnowski
- Genetic Epidemiology and Functional Genomics of Multifactorial Diseases Team, Inserm, UMRS-1124, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Raquel Granell
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Catherine Laprise
- Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada
| | - Markus J Ege
- Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC-M), German Center for Lung Research, Munich, Germany
| | - Patricia Margaritte-Jeannin
- Genetic Epidemiology and Functional Genomics of Multifactorial Diseases Team, Inserm, UMRS-1124, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Hélène Dizier
- Genetic Epidemiology and Functional Genomics of Multifactorial Diseases Team, Inserm, UMRS-1124, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Cosetta Minelli
- Population Health & Occupational Disease, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Miriam F Moffatt
- Section of Genomic Medicine, National Heart Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Mark Lathrop
- McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - William O C M Cookson
- Section of Genomic Medicine, National Heart Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - A John Henderson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Erika von Mutius
- Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC-M), German Center for Lung Research, Munich, Germany
- Institute for Asthma and Allergy Prevention, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Manolis Kogevinas
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Municipal Institute of Medical Research (IMIM-Hospital del Mar), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Florence Demenais
- Genetic Epidemiology and Functional Genomics of Multifactorial Diseases Team, Inserm, UMRS-1124, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuelle Bouzigon
- Genetic Epidemiology and Functional Genomics of Multifactorial Diseases Team, Inserm, UMRS-1124, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Sun Y, Miao N, Sun T. Detect accessible chromatin using ATAC-sequencing, from principle to applications. Hereditas 2019; 156:29. [PMID: 31427911 PMCID: PMC6696680 DOI: 10.1186/s41065-019-0105-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chromatin accessibility is crucial for gene expression regulation in specific cells and in multiple biological processes. Assay for Transposase Accessible Chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) is an effective way to reveal chromatin accessibility at a genome-wide level. Through ATAC-seq, produced reads from a small number of cells reflect accessible regions that correspond to nucleosome positioning and transcription factor binding sites, due to probing hyperactive Tn5 transposase to DNA sequence. Conclusion In this review, we summarize both principle and features of ATAC-seq, highlight its applications in basic and clinical research. ATAC-seq has generated comprehensive chromatin accessible maps, and is becoming a powerful tool to understand dynamic gene expression regulation in stem cells, early embryos and tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Sun
- Center for Precision Medicine, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, 668 Jimei Road, Xiamen, 361021 Fujian China
| | - Nan Miao
- Center for Precision Medicine, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, 668 Jimei Road, Xiamen, 361021 Fujian China
| | - Tao Sun
- Center for Precision Medicine, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, 668 Jimei Road, Xiamen, 361021 Fujian China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Gu Y, Yu X, Li X, Wang X, Gao X, Wang M, Wang S, Li X, Zhang Y. Inhibitory effect of mabuterol on proliferation of rat ASMCs induced by PDGF-BB via regulating [Ca2+]i and mitochondrial fission/fusion. Chem Biol Interact 2019; 307:63-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
|