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Roe T, Silveira S, Luo Z, Osborne EL, Senthil Murugan G, Grocott MPW, Postle AD, Dushianthan A. Particles in Exhaled Air (PExA): Clinical Uses and Future Implications. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:972. [PMID: 38786270 PMCID: PMC11119244 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14100972] [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: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Access to distal airway samples to assess respiratory diseases is not straightforward and requires invasive procedures such as bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage. The particles in exhaled air (PExA) device provides a non-invasive means of assessing small airways; it captures distal airway particles (PEx) sized around 0.5-7 μm and contains particles of respiratory tract lining fluid (RTLF) that originate during airway closure and opening. The PExA device can count particles and measure particle mass according to their size. The PEx particles can be analysed for metabolites on various analytical platforms to quantitatively measure targeted and untargeted lung specific markers of inflammation. As such, the measurement of distal airway components may help to evaluate acute and chronic inflammatory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and more recently, acute viral infections such as COVID-19. PExA may provide an alternative to traditional methods of airway sampling, such as induced sputum, tracheal aspirate, or bronchoalveolar lavage. The measurement of specific biomarkers of airway inflammation obtained directly from the RTLF by PExA enables a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of pathophysiological changes at the molecular level in patients with acute and chronic lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Roe
- General Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Siona Silveira
- Perioperative and Critical Care Theme, NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Zixing Luo
- Perioperative and Critical Care Theme, NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Eleanor L Osborne
- Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | | | - Michael P W Grocott
- General Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Perioperative and Critical Care Theme, NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Anthony D Postle
- Perioperative and Critical Care Theme, NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Ahilanandan Dushianthan
- General Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Perioperative and Critical Care Theme, NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
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Zwitserloot AM, Verhoog FA, van den Berge M, Gappa M, Oosterom HW, Willemse BWM, Koppelman GH. Comparison of particles in exhaled air and multiple breath washout for assessment of small airway function in children with cystic fibrosis. Pediatr Pulmonol 2024. [PMID: 38179886 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The introduction of modulator therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF) has led to an increased interest in the detection of small airway disease (SAD) as sensitive marker of treatment response. The particles in exhaled air (PExA) method, which records exhaled particle mass (PEx ng/L) and number (PExNR), detects SAD in adult patients. Our primary aim was to investigate if PExA outcomes in children with CF are different when compared to controls and associated with more severe disease. Secondary aims were to assess feasibility and repeatability of PExA in children with CF and to correlate PExA to multiple breath nitrogen washout (MBNW) as an established marker of SAD. METHODS Thirteen healthy children (HC), 17 children with CF with normal lung function (CF-N) (FEV1 z-score ≥ -1.64) and six with airway obstruction (CF-AO) (FEV1 z-score < -1.64) between 8 and 18 years performed MBNW followed by PExA and spirometry. Children with CF repeated the measurements after 3 months. RESULTS PEx ng/L and PExNR/L per liter of exhaled breath were similar between the three groups. The lung clearance index (LCI) was significantly higher in both CF-N and CF-AO compared to HC. All participants, except one, were able to perform PExA. Coefficient of variation for PEx ng/l was (median) 0.38, range 0-1.25 and PExNR/l 0.38, 0-1.09. Correlation between LCI and PEx ng/l was low, rs 0.32 (p = .07). CONCLUSION PExA is feasible in children. In contrast to LCI, PExA did not differentiate healthy children from children with CF suggesting it to be a less sensitive tool to detect SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies M Zwitserloot
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergy, Groningen, The Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Frank A Verhoog
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergy, Groningen, The Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten van den Berge
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen, The Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Monika Gappa
- Evangelisches Krankenhaus Düsseldorf, Children's Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Helma W Oosterom
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergy, Groningen, The Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen, The Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Brigitte W M Willemse
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergy, Groningen, The Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard H Koppelman
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergy, Groningen, The Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen, The Netherlands
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Laursen KR, Christensen NV, Mulder FA, Schullehner J, Hoffmann HJ, Jensen A, Møller P, Loft S, Olin AC, Rasmussen BB, Rosati B, Strandberg B, Glasius M, Bilde M, Sigsgaard T. Airway and systemic biomarkers of health effects after short-term exposure to indoor ultrafine particles from cooking and candles - A randomized controlled double-blind crossover study among mild asthmatic subjects. Part Fibre Toxicol 2023; 20:26. [PMID: 37430267 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-023-00537-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is insufficient knowledge about the systemic health effects of exposure to fine (PM2.5) and ultrafine particles emitted from typical indoor sources, including cooking and candlelight burning. We examined whether short-term exposure to emissions from cooking and burning candles cause inflammatory changes in young individuals with mild asthma. Thirty-six non-smoking asthmatics participated in a randomized controlled double-blind crossover study attending three exposure sessions (mean PM2.5 µg/m3; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ng/m3): (a) air mixed with emissions from cooking (96.1; 1.1), (b) air mixed with emissions from candles (89.8; 10), and (c) clean filtered air (5.8; 1.0). Emissions were generated in an adjacent chamber and let into a full-scale exposure chamber where participants were exposed for five hours. Several biomarkers were assessed in relation to airway and systemic inflammatory changes; the primary outcomes of interest were surfactant Protein-A (SP-A) and albumin in droplets in exhaled air - novel biomarkers for changes in the surfactant composition of small airways. Secondary outcomes included cytokines in nasal lavage, cytokines, C-reactive protein (CRP), epithelial progenitor cells (EPCs), genotoxicity, gene expression related to DNA-repair, oxidative stress, and inflammation, as well as metabolites in blood. Samples were collected before exposure start, right after exposure and the next morning. RESULTS SP-A in droplets in exhaled air showed stable concentrations following candle exposure, while concentrations decreased following cooking and clean air exposure. Albumin in droplets in exhaled air increased following exposure to cooking and candles compared to clean air exposure, although not significant. Oxidatively damaged DNA and concentrations of some lipids and lipoproteins in the blood increased significantly following exposure to cooking. We found no or weak associations between cooking and candle exposure and systemic inflammation biomarkers including cytokines, CRP, and EPCs. CONCLUSIONS Cooking and candle emissions induced effects on some of the examined health-related biomarkers, while no effect was observed in others; Oxidatively damaged DNA and concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins were increased in blood after exposure to cooking, while both cooking and candle emissions slightly affected the small airways including the primary outcomes SP-A and albumin. We found only weak associations between the exposures and systemic inflammatory biomarkers. Together, the results show the existence of mild inflammation following cooking and candle exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Rosenkilde Laursen
- Environment, Occupation and Health, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Nichlas Vous Christensen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Frans Aa Mulder
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jörg Schullehner
- Environment, Occupation and Health, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Hans Jürgen Hoffmann
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Annie Jensen
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Møller
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Steffen Loft
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anna-Carin Olin
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Bernadette Rosati
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bo Strandberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Merete Bilde
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Torben Sigsgaard
- Environment, Occupation and Health, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Koca H, Farbrot A, Olin AC, Emilsson ÖI. Surfactant protein A in particles in exhaled air and plasma. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2022; 301:103899. [PMID: 35364290 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2022.103899] [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: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory tract lining fluid (RTLF) is an important component of the lung epithelial barrier. Pathological changes in RTLF may cause increased permeability of the epithelial barrier, but changes within RTLF are difficult to assess non-invasively. The aim of this study was to explore if the use of the non-invasive measurement technique, Particles in Exhaled Air (PEx) and blood test were useful in assessing epithelial barrier, and if cigarette smoking affects the relationship. In a general population subcohort from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey III in Iceland (n = 112), we collected RTLF droplets using the PEx technique, in conjunction with blood samples and questionnaire data. We measured surfactant protein A (SP-A) in the collected plasma and PEx samples. Participants were defined as healthy if they did not currently have asthma, were non-smokers and had forced expiratory volume in one second ≥ 80% of predicted value. Of the 112 participants, 97 were healthy and 15 were current smokers. There was no correlation between plasma and PEx SP-A levels. However, the ratio of plasma to PEx SP-A was significantly higher in smokers compared to healthy subjects. The lack of correlation between PEx and plasma SP-A in healthy participants, indicates that SP-A in plasma does not diffuse freely over the lung epithelial barrier. However, the lung epithelial barrier may be injured by smoking, leading to diffusion of SP-A across the barrier into the bloodstream, causing an increased ratio of plasma to PEx SP-A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatice Koca
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Anne Farbrot
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna-Carin Olin
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Össur Ingi Emilsson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
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Östling J, Van Geest M, Olsson HK, Dahlen SE, Viklund E, Gustafsson PM, Mirgorodskaya E, Olin AC. A novel non-invasive method allowing for discovery of pathologically relevant proteins from small airways. Clin Proteomics 2022; 19:20. [PMID: 35668386 PMCID: PMC9167914 DOI: 10.1186/s12014-022-09348-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is a lack of early and precise biomarkers for personalized respiratory medicine. Breath contains an aerosol of droplet particles, which are formed from the epithelial lining fluid when the small airways close and re-open during inhalation succeeding a full expiration. These particles can be collected by impaction using the PExA method (Particles in Exhaled Air), and are derived from an area of high clinical interest previously difficult to access, making them a potential source of biomarkers reflecting pathological processes in the small airways. Research question Our aim was to investigate if PExA method is useful for discovery of biomarkers that reflect pathology of small airways. Methods and analysis Ten healthy controls and 20 subjects with asthma, of whom 10 with small airway involvement as indicated by a high lung clearance index (LCI ≥ 2.9 z-score), were examined in a cross-sectional design, using the PExA instrument. The samples were analysed with the SOMAscan proteomics platform (SomaLogic Inc.). Results Two hundred-seven proteins were detected in up to 80% of the samples. Nine proteins showed differential abundance in subjects with asthma and high LCI as compared to healthy controls. Two of these were less abundant (ALDOA4, C4), and seven more abundant (FIGF, SERPINA1, CD93, CCL18, F10, IgM, IL1RAP). sRAGE levels were lower in ex-smokers (n = 14) than in never smokers (n = 16). Gene Ontology (GO) annotation database analyses revealed that the PEx proteome is enriched in extracellular proteins associated with extracellular exosome-vesicles and innate immunity. Conclusion The applied analytical method was reproducible and allowed identification of pathologically interesting proteins in PEx samples from asthmatic subjects with high LCI. The results suggest that PEx based proteomics is a novel and promising approach to study respiratory diseases with small airway involvement. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12014-022-09348-y. Key question Can the PExA method identify individual protein profiles that reflect pathology of small airways, using the SOMAscan platform? What is the bottom line? Two hundred-seven proteins were detected in up to 80% of the PEx samples, with a strong overrepresentation of proteins related to innate immune responses, including nine proteins that that discriminated subjects with asthma and high LCI as compared to healthy controls. Why read on The results support that PEx based proteomics is a novel and promising approach to study respiratory diseases with small airway involvement. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12014-022-09348-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörgen Östling
- Department of Bioscience, Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden.,PExA AB, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marleen Van Geest
- Department of Bioscience, Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Hansa Biopharma AB, Lund, Sweden
| | - Henric K Olsson
- Translational Science and Experimental Medicine, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sven-Erik Dahlen
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emilia Viklund
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | | | - Anna-Carin Olin
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Viklund E, Kokelj S, Larsson P, Nordén R, Andersson M, Beck O, Westin J, Olin AC. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can be detected in exhaled aerosol sampled during a few minutes of breathing or coughing. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2022; 16:402-410. [PMID: 35037404 PMCID: PMC8983906 DOI: 10.1111/irv.12964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The knowledge on the concentration of viral particles in exhaled breath is limited. The aim of this study was to explore if severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be detected in aerosol from subjects with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during various types of breathing and coughing and how infection with SARS-CoV-2 may influence the number and size of exhaled aerosol particles. METHODS We counted and collected endogenous particles in exhaled breath in subjects with COVID-19 disease by two different impaction-based methods, during 20 normal breaths, 10 airway opening breaths, and three coughs, respectively. Breath samples were analyzed with reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS Detection of RNA in aerosol was possible in 10 out of 25 subjects. Presence of virus RNA in aerosol was mainly found in cough samples (n = 8), but also in airway opening breaths (n = 3) and in normal breaths (n = 4), with no overlap between the methods. No association between viral load in aerosol and number exhaled particles <5 μm was found. Subjects with COVID-19 exhaled less particles than healthy controls during normal breathing and airway opening breaths (all P < 0.05), but not during cough. CONCLUSION SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in exhaled aerosol, sampled during a limited number of breathing and coughing procedures. Detection in aerosol seemed independent of viral load in the upper airway swab as well as of the exhaled number of particles. The infectious potential of the amount of virus detected in aerosol needs to be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Viklund
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Spela Kokelj
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Per Larsson
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rickard Nordén
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maria Andersson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Olof Beck
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
| | - Johan Westin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna-Carin Olin
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Viklund E, Bake B, Hussain-Alkhateeb L, Koca Akdeva H, Larsson P, Olin AC. Current smoking alters phospholipid- and surfactant protein A levels in small airway lining fluid: An explorative study on exhaled breath. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253825. [PMID: 34170967 PMCID: PMC8232447 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Small airways are difficult to access. Exhaled droplets, also referred to as particles, provide a sample of small airway lining fluid and may reflect inflammatory responses. We aimed to explore the effect of smoking on the composition and number of exhaled particles in a smoker-enriched study population. We collected and chemically analyzed exhaled particles from 102 subjects (29 never smokers, 36 former smokers and 37 current smokers) aged 39 to 83 years (median 63). A breathing maneuver maximized the number exhaled particles, which were quantified with a particle counter. The contents of surfactant protein A and albumin in exhaled particles was quantified with immunoassays and the contents of the phospholipids dipalmitoyl- and palmitoyl-oleoyl- phosphatidylcholine with mass spectrometry. Subjects also performed spirometry and nitrogen single breath washout. Associations between smoking status and the distribution of contents in exhaled particles and particle number concentration were tested with quantile regression, after adjusting for potential confounders. Current smokers, compared to never smokers, had higher number exhaled particles and more surfactant protein A in the particles. The magnitude of the effects of current smoking varied along the distribution of each PEx-variable. Among subjects with normal lung function, phospholipid levels were elevated in current smokers, in comparison to no effect of smoking on these lipids at abnormal lung function. Smoking increased exhaled number of particles and the contents of lipids and surfactant protein A in the particles. These findings might reflect early inflammatory responses to smoking in small airway lining fluid, also when lung function is within normal limits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Viklund
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Björn Bake
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Laith Hussain-Alkhateeb
- Global Health, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hatice Koca Akdeva
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Per Larsson
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna-Carin Olin
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Hussain-Alkhateeb L, Bake B, Holm M, Emilsson Ö, Mirgorodskaya E, Olin AC. Novel non-invasive particles in exhaled air method to explore the lining fluid of small airways-a European population-based cohort study. BMJ Open Respir Res 2021; 8:8/1/e000804. [PMID: 33402401 PMCID: PMC7786806 DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2020-000804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Respiratory tract lining fluid of small airways mainly consists of surfactant that can be investigated by collection of the particles of exhaled aerosol (PExA) method. This offers an exciting prospect to monitor small airway pathology, including subjects with asthma and smokers. AIM To explore the influence of anthropometric factors and gender on phospholipids, surfactant protein A (SP-A) and albumin of the lining fluid of small airwaysand to examine the association with asthma and smoking. Furthermore, to examine if the surfactant components can predict lung function in terms of spirometry variables. METHOD This study employs the population-based cohort of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey III, including participants from Gothenburg city, Sweden (n=200). The PExA method enabled quantitative description and analytical analysis of phospholipids, SP-A and albumin of the lining fluid of small airways. RESULTS Age was a significant predictor of the phospholipids. The components PC14:0/16:0, PC16:0/18:2 (PC, phosphatidylcholine) and SP-A were higher among subjects with asthma, whereas albumin was lower. Among smokers, there were higher levels particularly of di-palmitoyl-di-phosphatidyl-choline compared with non-smokers. Most phospholipids significantly predicted the spirometry variables. CONCLUSION This non-invasive PExA method appears to have great potential to explore the role of lipids and proteins of surfactant in respiratory disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laith Hussain-Alkhateeb
- Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg Sahlgrenska Academy, Goteborg, Sweden
| | - Björn Bake
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Insitute of Medicine, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mathias Holm
- Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg Sahlgrenska Academy, Goteborg, Sweden
| | - Össur Emilsson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory, allergy and sleep research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Anna-Carin Olin
- Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg Sahlgrenska Academy, Goteborg, Sweden
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Scheuch G. Breathing Is Enough: For the Spread of Influenza Virus and SARS-CoV-2 by Breathing Only. J Aerosol Med Pulm Drug Deliv 2020; 33:230-234. [PMID: 32552296 PMCID: PMC7406993 DOI: 10.1089/jamp.2020.1616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The transmission of respiratory viruses such as influenza and corona viruses from one person to another is still not fully understood. Methods: A literature search showed that there is a strong scientific rationale and evidence that viruses are very efficiently spread through aerosols by the patient's breathing only. It is not necessary for the patient to cough or sneeze. Results: The exhaled aerosol particles are generated by normal breathing in the deep lung through reopening of collapsed small airways during inspiration. These mucus/surfactant aerosols (size range between 0.2 and 0.6 μm) can transport viruses out of the lungs of patients and be present in the room air for hours. Conclusion: These aerosol particles are difficult to filter out of the air; because of their physical properties, new strategies must be developed to protect people from these virus aerosols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Scheuch
- GS Bio-Inhalation GmbH, Headquarters & Logistics, Gemuenden, Germany
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