Association of innate defense proteins BPIFA1 and BPIFB1 with disease severity in COPD

Identification of overlay differentially expressed genes in both rats and goats with blast lung injury through comparative transcriptomics

PURPOSE

To identify the potential target genes of blast lung injury (BLI) for the diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS

This is an experimental study. The BLI models in rats and goats were established by conducting a fuel-air explosive power test in an unobstructed environment, which was subsequently validated through hematoxylin-eosin staining. Transcriptome sequencing was performed on lung tissues from both goats and rats. Differentially expressed genes were identified using the criteria of q ≤ 0.05 and |log2 fold change| ≥ 1. Following that, enrichment analyses were conducted for gene ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. The potential target genes were further confirmed through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Observations through microscopy unveiled the presence of reddish edema fluid, erythrocytes, and instances of focal or patchy bleeding within the alveolar cavity. Transcriptome sequencing analysis identified a total of 83 differentially expressed genes in both rats and goats. Notably, 49 genes exhibited a consistent expression pattern, with 38 genes displaying up-regulation and 11 genes demonstrating down-regulation. Enrichment analysis highlighted the potential involvement of the interleukin-17 signaling pathway and vascular smooth muscle contraction pathway in the underlying mechanism of BLI. Furthermore, the experimental findings in both goats and rats demonstrated a strong association between BLI and several key genes, including anterior gradient 2, ankyrin repeat domain 65, bactericidal/permeability-increasing fold containing family A member 1, bactericidal/permeability-increasing fold containing family B member 1, and keratin 4, which exhibited up-regulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Anterior gradient 2, ankyrin repeat domain 65, bactericidal/permeability-increasing fold containing family A member 1, bactericidal/permeability-increasing fold containing family B member 1, and keratin 4 hold potential as target genes for the prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of BLI.

Sex-Specific Genetic Determinants of Asthma-COPD Phenotype and COPD in Middle-Aged and Older Canadian Adults: An Analysis of CLSA Data

The etiology of sex differences in the risk of asthma-COPD phenotype and COPD is still not completely understood. Genetic and environmental risk factors are commonly believed to play an important role. This study aims to identify sex-specific genetic markers associated with asthma-COPD phenotype and COPD using the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) Baseline Comprehensive and Genomic data. There were a total of 1,415 COPD cases. Out of them, 504 asthma-COPD phenotype cases were identified. 20,524 participants without a diagnosis of asthma and COPD served as controls. We performed genome-wide SNP-by-sex interaction analysis. SNPs with an interaction p-value < 10^-5 were included in a sex-stratified multivariable logistic regression for asthma-COPD phenotype and COPD outcomes. 18 and 28 SNPs had a significant interaction term p-value < 10^-5 with sex in the regression analyses of asthma-COPD phenotype and COPD outcomes, respectively. Sex-stratified multivariable analysis of asthma-COPD phenotype showed that 7 SNPs in/near SMYD3, FHIT, ZNF608, RIMBP2, ZNF133, BPIFB1, and S100B loci were significant in males. Sex-stratified multivariable analysis of COPD showed that 8 SNPs in/near MAGI1, COX18, OSTC, ELOVL5, C7orf72 FGF14, and NKAIN4 were significant in males, and 4 SNPs in/near genes CAMTA1, SATB2, PDE10A, and LINC00908 were significant in females. An SNP in the ZPBP gene was associated with COPD in both males and females. Identification of sex-specific loci associated with asthma-COPD phenotype and COPD may offer valuable evidence toward a better understanding of the sex-specific differences in the pathophysiology of the diseases.

BPIFB1 loss alters airway mucus properties and diminishes mucociliary clearance

Airway mucociliary clearance (MCC) is required for host defense and is often diminished in chronic lung diseases. Effective clearance depends upon coordinated actions of the airway epithelium and a mobile mucus layer. Dysregulation of the primary secreted airway mucin proteins, MUC5B and MUC5AC, is associated with a reduction in the rate of MCC; however, how other secreted proteins impact the integrity of the mucus layer and MCC remains unclear. We previously identified the gene Bpifb1/Lplunc1 as a regulator of airway MUC5B protein levels using genetic approaches. Here, we show that BPIFB1 is required for effective MCC in vivo using Bpifb1 knockout (KO) mice. Reduced MCC in Bpifb1 KO mice occurred in the absence of defects in epithelial ion transport or reduced ciliary beat frequency. Loss of BPIFB1 in vivo and in vitro altered biophysical and biochemical properties of mucus that have been previously linked to impaired MCC. Finally, we detected colocalization of BPIFB1 and MUC5B in secretory granules in mice and the protein mesh of secreted mucus in human airway epithelia cultures. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that BPIFB1 is an important component of the mucociliary apparatus in mice and a key component of the mucus protein network.NEW & NOTEWORTHY BPIFB1, also known as LPLUNC1, was found to regulate mucociliary clearance (MCC), a key aspect of host defense in the airway. Loss of this protein was also associated with altered biophysical and biochemical properties of mucus that have been previously linked to impaired MCC.

Proteomic Investigation of COVID-19 Severity During the Tsunamic Second Wave in Mumbai

Maharashtra was severely affected during the noxious second wave of COVID-19, with the highest number of cases recorded across India. The emergence of new symptoms and dysregulation of multiple organs resulted in high disease severity during the second wave which led to increased difficulties in understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the disease pathology. Exploring the underlying factors can help to relieve the burden on the medical communities to some extent by prioritizing the patients and, at the same time, opening avenues for improved treatments. In the current study, we have performed a mass-spectrometry-based proteomic analysis to investigate the disease pathology using nasopharyngeal swab samples collected from the COVID-19 patients in the Mumbai region of Maharashtra over the period of March-June 2021, the peak of the second wave. A total of 59 patients, including 32 non-severe and 27 severe cases, were considered for this proteomic study. We identified 23 differentially regulated proteins in severe patients as a host response to infection. In addition to the previously identified innate mechanisms of neutrophil and platelet degranulation, this study revealed significant alterations of anti-microbial peptide pathways in severe conditions, illustrating its role in the severity of the infectious strain of COVID-19 during the second wave. Furthermore, myeloperoxidase, cathepsin G, and profilin-1 were identified as potential therapeutic targets of the FDA-approved drugs dabrafenib, ZINC4097343, and ritonavir. This study has enlightened the role of the anti-microbial peptide pathway associated with the second wave in India and proposed its importance in potential therapeutics for COVID-19.

BPIFA1 is a secreted biomarker of differentiating human airway epithelium

In vitro culture and differentiation of human-derived airway basal cells under air-liquid interface (ALI) into a pseudostratified mucociliated mucosal barrier has proven to be a powerful preclinical tool to study pathophysiology of respiratory epithelium. As such, identifying differentiation stage-specific biomarkers can help investigators better characterize, standardize, and validate populations of regenerating epithelial cells prior to experimentation. Here, we applied longitudinal transcriptomic analysis and observed that the pattern and the magnitude of OMG, KRT14, STC1, BPIFA1, PLA2G7, TXNIP, S100A7 expression create a unique biosignature that robustly indicates the stage of epithelial cell differentiation. We then validated our findings by quantitative hemi-nested real-time PCR from in vitro cultures sourced from multiple donors. In addition, we demonstrated that at protein-level secretion of BPIFA1 accurately reflects the gene expression profile, with very low quantities present at the time of ALI induction but escalating levels were detectable as the epithelial cells terminally differentiated. Moreover, we observed that increase in BPIFA1 secretion closely correlates with emergence of secretory cells and an anti-inflammatory phenotype as airway epithelial cells undergo mucociliary differentiation under air-liquid interface in vitro.

Intense light-elicited alveolar type 2-specific circadian PER2 protects from bacterial lung injury via BPIFB1

Circadian amplitude enhancement has the potential to be organ protective but has not been studied in acute lung injury (ALI). Consistent light and dark cycles are crucial for the amplitude regulation of the circadian rhythm protein Period2 (PER2). Housing mice under intense instead of ambient light for 1 wk (light: dark cycle:14h:10h), we demonstrated a robust increase of pulmonary PER2 trough and peak levels, which is consistent with circadian amplitude enhancement. A search for the affected lung cell type suggested alveolar type 2 (ATII) cells as strong candidates for light induction of PER2. A head-to-head comparison of mice with cell-type-specific deletion of Per2 in ATII, endothelial, or myeloid cells uncovered a dramatic phenotype in mice with an ATII-specific deletion of Per2. During Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced ALI, mice with Per2 deletion in ATII cells showed 0% survival, whereas 85% of control mice survived. Subsequent studies demonstrated that intense light therapy dampened lung inflammation or improved the alveolar barrier function during P. aeruginosa-induced ALI, which was abolished in mice with an ATII-specific deletion of Per2. A genome-wide mRNA array uncovered bactericidal/permeability-increasing fold-containing family B member 1 (BPIFB1) as a downstream target of intense light-elicited ATII-PER2 mediated lung protection. Using the flavonoid and PER2 amplitude enhancer nobiletin, we recapitulated the lung-protective and anti-inflammatory effects of light and BPIFB1, respectively. Together, our studies demonstrate that light-elicited amplitude enhancement of ATII-specific PER2 is a critical control point of inflammatory pathways during bacterial ALI.

Progesterone differentially affects the transcriptomic profiles of cow endometrial cell types

Background

The endometrium is a heterogeneous tissue composed of luminal epithelial (LE), glandular epithelial (GE), and stromal cells (ST), experiencing progesterone regulated dynamic changes during the estrous cycle. In the cow, this regulation at the transcriptomic level was only evaluated in the whole tissue. This study describes specific gene expression in the three types of cells isolated from endometrial biopsies following laser capture microdissection and the transcriptome changes induced by progesterone in GE and ST cells.

Results

Endometrial LE, GE, and ST cells show specific transcriptomic profiles. Most of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to progesterone are cell type-specific (96%). Genes involved in cell cycle and nuclear division are under-expressed in the presence of progesterone in GE, highlighting the anti-proliferative action of progesterone in epithelial cells. Elevated progesterone concentrations are also associated with the under-expression of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) in GE and oxytocin receptor (OXTR) in GE and ST cells. In ST cells, transcription factors such as SOX17 and FOXA2, known to regulate uterine epithelial-stromal cross-talk conveying to endometrial receptivity, are over-expressed under progesterone influence.

Conclusions

The results from this study show that progesterone regulates endometrial function in a cell type-specific way, which is independent of the expression of its main receptor PGR. These novel insights into uterine physiology present the cell compartment as the physiological unit rather than the whole tissue.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08323-z.

Significance of DMBT1 in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Concurrent With Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Background

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) concurrent with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) was associated with a better clinical prognosis. This study aimed to investigate a potential mRNA gene that affects the development of PTC, which helps PTC concurrent with HT patients have a better prognosis.

Material/Methods

PTC data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. And the validation data of tissue specimens were collected from Guangzhou First People’s Hospital. The thyroid tissue sections were hybridized with deleted in malignant brain tumor 1 (DMBT1) probes by situ hybridization. Survival rates were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves, and the log-rank test was used to compare group survival rates. Prognosis clinicopathological factors were analyzed by Cox regression. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Gene and Genomic Encyclopedia (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). Finally, the correlation of deletion in DMBT1 expression with overall immune status, tumor purity, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene expression profile was analyzed.

Results

HT was significantly associated with sex, tumor foci, extrathyroidal extension (ETE), residual tumor, and tumor stage (T stage). Moreover, PTC concurrent with HT had a lower risk of recurrence versus non-HT groups. A total of 136 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEMs) were identified between HT and non-HT groups. Among them, the expression level of DMBT1 in HT groups was statistically higher than that in non-HT groups. A significant association with ETE and recurrence was revealed in the high expression and the low expression of DMBT1. Furthermore, DMBT1 was an independent predictor of survival. The overall immune activity of high expression of DMBT1 was higher than that of the low-expression group.

Conclusions

The PTC patients with HT had better behavior features and prognosis than those with simple PTC. DMBT1 in PTC-HT patients was a potential possible factor that inhibits tumors. High expression of DMBT1 may improve PTC prognosis by immune-related pathways.

Respiratory Effects of Exposure to Aerosol From the Candidate Modified-Risk Tobacco Product THS 2.2 in an 18-Month Systems Toxicology Study With A/J Mice

Smoking cessation is the most effective measure for reducing the risk of smoking-related diseases. However, switching to less harmful products (modified-risk tobacco products [MRTP]) can be an alternative to help reduce the risk for adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke. In an 18-month chronic carcinogenicity/toxicity study in A/J mice (OECD Test Guideline 453), we assessed the aerosol of Tobacco Heating System 2.2 (THS 2.2), a candidate MRTP based on the heat-not-burn principle, compared with 3R4F cigarette smoke (CS). To capture toxicity- and disease-relevant mechanisms, we complemented standard toxicology endpoints with in-depth systems toxicology analyses. In this part of our publication series, we report on integrative assessment of the apical and molecular exposure effects on the respiratory tract (nose, larynx, and lungs). Across the respiratory tract, we found changes in inflammatory response following 3R4F CS exposure (eg, antimicrobial peptide response in the nose), with both shared and distinct oxidative and xenobiotic responses. Compared with 3R4F CS, THS 2.2 aerosol exerted far fewer effects on respiratory tract histology, including adaptive tissue changes in nasal and laryngeal epithelium and inflammation and emphysematous changes in the lungs. Integrative analysis of molecular changes confirmed the substantially lower impact of THS 2.2 aerosol than 3R4F CS on toxicologically and disease-relevant molecular processes such as inflammation, oxidative stress responses, and xenobiotic metabolism. In summary, this work exemplifies how apical and molecular endpoints can be combined effectively for toxicology assessment and further supports findings on the reduced respiratory health risks of THS 2.2 aerosol.

Yap/Taz inhibit goblet cell fate to maintain lung epithelial homeostasis

Proper lung function relies on the precise balance of specialized epithelial cells that coordinate to maintain homeostasis. Herein, we describe essential roles for the transcriptional regulators YAP/TAZ in maintaining lung epithelial homeostasis, reporting that conditional deletion of Yap and Wwtr1/Taz in the lung epithelium of adult mice results in severe defects, including alveolar disorganization and the development of airway mucin hypersecretion. Through in vivo lineage tracing and in vitro molecular experiments, we reveal that reduced YAP/TAZ activity promotes intrinsic goblet transdifferentiation of secretory airway epithelial cells. Global gene expression and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) analyses suggest that YAP/TAZ act cooperatively with TEA domain (TEAD) transcription factors and the NuRD complex to suppress the goblet cell fate program, directly repressing the SPDEF gene. Collectively, our study identifies YAP/TAZ as critical factors in lung epithelial homeostasis and offers molecular insight into the mechanisms promoting goblet cell differentiation, which is a hallmark of many lung diseases.

SPLUNC1: a novel marker of cystic fibrosis exacerbations

Acute pulmonary Exacerbations (AE) are episodes of clinical worsening in cystic fibrosis (CF), often precipitated by infection. Timely detection is critical to minimise morbidity and lung function declines associated with acute inflammation during AE. Based on our previous observations that airway protein Short Palate Lung Nasal epithelium Clone 1 (SPLUNC1) is regulated by inflammatory signals, we investigated the use of SPLUNC1 fluctuations to diagnose and predict AE in CF.We enrolled CF participants from two independent cohorts to measure AE markers of inflammation in sputum and recorded clinical outcomes for a 1-year follow-up period.SPLUNC1 levels were high in healthy controls (n=9, 10.7 μg mL^-1), and significantly decreased in CF participants without AE (n=30, 5.7 μg mL^-1, p=0.016). SPLUNC1 levels were 71.9% lower during AE (n=14, 1.6 μg mL^-1, p=0.0034) regardless of age, sex, CF-causing mutation, or microbiology findings. Cytokines Il-1β and TNFα were also increased in AE, whereas lung function did not consistently decrease. Stable CF participants with lower SPLUNC1 levels were much more likely to have an AE at 60 days (HR: 11.49, Standard Error: 0.83, p=0.0033). Low-SPLUNC1 stable participants remained at higher AE risk even one year after sputum collection (HR: 3.21, Standard Error: 0.47, p=0.0125). SPLUNC1 was downregulated by inflammatory cytokines and proteases increased in sputum during AE.In acute CF care, low SPLUNC1 levels could support a decision to increase airway clearance or to initiate pharmacological interventions. In asymptomatic, stable patients, low SPLUNC1 levels could inform changes in clinical management to improve long-term disease control and clinical outcomes in CF.

The Multifunctional Roles of Short Palate, Lung, and Nasal Epithelium Clone 1 in Regulating Airway Surface Liquid and Participating in Airway Host Defense

Short palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone 1 (SPLUNC1) is a kind of secretory protein, and gets expressed abundantly in normal respiratory epithelium of humans. As a natural immune molecule, SPLUNC1 is proved to be involved in inflammatory response and airway host defense. This review focuses on summarizing and discussing the role of SPLUNC1 in regulating airway surface liquid (ASL) and participating in airway host defense. PubMed and MEDLINE were used for searching and identifying the data in this review. The domain of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein in SPLUNC1 and the α-helix, α4, are essential for SPLUNC1 to exert biological activities. As a natural innate immune molecule, SPLUNC1 plays a significant role in inflammatory response and airway host defense. Its special expression patterns are not only observed in physiological conditions, but also in some respiratory diseases. The mechanisms of SPLUNC1 in airway host defense include modulating ASL volume, acting as a surfactant protein, inhibiting biofilm formation, as well as regulating ASL compositions, such as LL-37, mucins, Neutrophil elastase, and inflammatory cytokines. Besides, potential correlations are found among these different mechanisms, especially among different ASL compositions, which should be further explored in more systematical frameworks. In this review, we summarize the structural characteristics and expression patterns of SPLUNC1 briefly, and mainly discuss the mechanisms of SPLUNC1 exerted in host defense, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and a novel target for future studies and clinical treatments.

Salivary BPIFA proteins are altered in patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of BPIFA proteins in the saliva and salivary glands of hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This longitudinal study included patients who had undergone autologous HCT (auto-HCT) and allogeneic HCT (allo-HCT), and unstimulated saliva was collected at three time points, with a fourth collection at oral chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) onset. BPIFA expression was analysed by Western blotting in saliva and immunostaining in the minor salivary glands of cGVHD patients.

RESULTS

Auto-HCT patients showed increased levels of BPIFA1 (p = .021) and BPIFA2 at D+7 (p = .040), whereas allo-HCT group demonstrated decreased expression of BPIFA2 at D+8 (p = .002) and at D+80 (p = .001) and a significant association between BPIFA2 low levels and hyposalivation was observed (p = .02). BPIFA2 was significantly lower in the cGVHD patients when compared to baseline (p = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study show distinct pattern of expression of BPIF proteins in both auto-HCT and allo-HCT recipients with decreased levels of BPIFA2 during hyposalivation and cGVHD. Further studies are necessary to elucidate these proteins mechanisms and their clinical implications in these groups of patients.

Mining GWAS and eQTL data for CF lung disease modifiers by gene expression imputation

Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several genomic loci with candidate modifiers of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, but only a small proportion of the expected genetic contribution is accounted for at these loci. We leveraged expression data from CF cohorts, and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) reference data sets from multiple human tissues to generate predictive models, which were used to impute transcriptional regulation from genetic variance in our GWAS population. The imputed gene expression was tested for association with CF lung disease severity. By comparing and combining results from alternative approaches, we identified 379 candidate modifier genes. We delved into 52 modifier candidates that showed consensus between approaches, and 28 of them were near known GWAS loci. A number of these genes are implicated in the pathophysiology of CF lung disease (e.g., immunity, infection, inflammation, HLA pathways, glycosylation, and mucociliary clearance) and the CFTR protein biology (e.g., cytoskeleton, microtubule, mitochondrial function, lipid metabolism, endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi, and ubiquitination). Gene set enrichment results are consistent with current knowledge of CF lung disease pathogenesis. HLA Class II genes on chr6, and CEP72, EXOC3, and TPPP near the GWAS peak on chr5 are most consistently associated with CF lung disease severity across the tissues tested. The results help to prioritize genes in the GWAS regions, predict direction of gene expression regulation, and identify new candidate modifiers throughout the genome for potential therapeutic development.

The Impact of BPI Expression on Escherichia coli F18 Infection in Porcine Kidney Cells

Simple Summary

Escherichia coli frequently causes bacterial diarrhea in piglets. Vaccine development and improved feeding and animal management strategies have reduced the incidence of bacterial diarrhea in piglets to some extent. However, current breeding strategies also have the potential to improve piglet resistance to diarrhea at a genetic level. This study sought to advance the current understanding of the functional and regulatory mechanisms whereby the candidate gene bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) regulates piglet diarrhea at the cellular level.

Abstract

The efficacy and regulatory activity of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) as a mediator of Escherichia coli (E. coli) F18 resistance remains to be defined. In the present study, we evaluated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced changes in BPI gene expression in porcine kidney (PK15) cells in response to E. coli F18 exposure. We additionally generated PK15 cells that overexpressed BPI to assess the impact of this gene on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling and glycosphingolipid biosynthesis-related genes. Through these analyses, we found that BPI expression rose significantly following LPS exposure in response to E. coli F18ac stimulation (p < 0.01). Colony count assays and qPCR analyses revealed that E. coli F18 adherence to PK15 cells was markedly suppressed following BPI overexpression (p < 0.01). BPI overexpression had no significant effect on the mRNA-level expression of genes associated with glycosphingolipid biosynthesis or TLR4 signaling. BPI overexpression suppressed the LPS-induced TLR4 signaling pathway-related expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-α, IFN-β, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and IL-6). Overall, our study serves as an overview of the association between BPI and resistance to E. coli F18 at the cellular level, offering a framework for future investigations of the mechanisms whereby piglets are able to resist E. coli F18 infection.

Global profiling of lncRNAs-miRNAs-mRNAs reveals differential expression of coding genes and non-coding RNAs in the lung of beagle dogs at different stages of Toxocara canis infection

The roundworm Toxocara canis causes toxocariasis in dogs and larval migrans in humans. Better understanding of the lung response to T. canis infection could explain why T. canis must migrate to and undergoes part of its development inside the lung of the definitive host. In this study, we profiled the expression patterns of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and mRNAs in the lungs of Beagle dogs infected by T. canis, using high throughput RNA sequencing. At 24 h p.i., 1,012 lncRNAs, 393 mRNAs and 10 miRNAs were differentially expressed (DE). We also identified 883 DElncRNAs, 264 DEmRNAs and 20 DEmiRNAs at 96 h p.i., and 996 DElncRNAs, 342 DEmRNAs and eight DEmiRNAs at 36 days p.i., between infected and control dogs. Significant changes in the levels of expression of transcripts related to immune response and inflammation were associated with the antiparasitic response of the lung to T. canis. The remarkable increase in the expression of scgb1a1 at all time points after infection suggests the need for consistent moderation of the excessive inflammatory response. Also, upregulation of foxj1 at 24 h p.i., and downregulation of IL-1β and IL-21 at 96 h p.i., suggest an attenuation of the humoral immunity of infected dogs. These results indicate that T. canis pathogenesis in the lung is mediated through contributions from both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network analysis revealed significant interactions between DElncRNAs, DEmiRNAs and DEmRNAs, and improved our understanding of the ceRNA regulatory mechanisms in the context of T. canis infection. These data provide comprehensive understanding of the regulatory networks that govern the lung response to T. canis infection and reveal new mechanistic insights into the interaction between the host and parasite during the course of T. canis infection in the canine.

Molecular biology of BPIFB1 and its advances in disease

Bactericidal/permeability-increasing (BPI)-fold-containing family B member 1 (BPIFB1), also known as long-palate lung and nasal epithelium clone 1 (LPLUNC1), belongs to the BPI-fold-containing family, is a newly discovered natural immune protection molecule, which, having the function of bactericidal and osmotic enhancement protein domain, can respond to the external physical and chemical stimuli. The gene of BPIFB1 is located at chromosome 20q11.21-20q11.22, and contains 16 exons and 15 introns, encoding 484 amino acids. The 5' terminal of the BPIFB1 protein has a signal peptide sequence composed of 19 amino acids. BPIFB1 is abnormally expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), gastric cancer, and other cancer tissues, regulate chronic infections and inflammation, indicating that it may play an important role in the development of tumors. Meanwhile, BPIFB1 has well-recognized roles in sensing and responding to Gram-negative bacteria due to its structural similarity with BPI protein and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein, both of which are innate immune molecules with recognized roles in sensing and responding to Gram-negative bacteria, so it can regulate cystic fibrosis (CF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and other respiratory diseases. In this article, we will discuss the progress of BPIFB1 in a variety of diseases and fully understand its function.

Comparative transcriptome analysis to elucidate the therapeutic mechanism of colchicine against atrial fibrillation

In recent years, colchicine has been used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events; in particular, it has been effectively used for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). We first discovered that colchicine can treat AF in a rat model and that it can reverse the effects of atrial fibrosis. To illustrate the potential therapeutic mechanism of colchicine against AF, we performed comparative transcriptome analyses; our aim was to elucidate the therapeutic effects of colchicine so as to improve treatment and prognoses of AF. Genomics and bioinformatics analyses revealed that the IL-17 signaling pathway, and renin secretion pathway are involved in the mechanism of action of colchicine. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between overlapping genes in the two groups of differentially expressed genes. The genes encoding Akap4, Pcdha9, Gp2, Cd177, Krt15, Aqp3, Chia, and Bpifb1 were pivotal and possible action sites for the therapeutic mechanisms of colchicine. We conclude that AF involves a multifactorial pathological process. The mechanisms underlying the action of colchicine in the treatment of AF warrant further studies.

Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analysis Identifies Key Genes and Pathways Associated with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

BACKGROUND Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a life-threatening disease with an unknown etiology. Gene expression microarray data have provided some insights into the molecular mechanisms of IPF. This study aimed to identify key genes and significant signaling pathways involved in IPF using bioinformatics analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using integrated analysis of gene expression data with a robust rank aggregation (RRA) method. The Connectivity Map (CMAP) was used to identify gene-expression signatures associated with IPF. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to explore the functional modules involved in the pathogenesis of IPF. RESULTS A total of 191 patients with IPF and 101 normal controls from six genome-wide expression datasets were included. CMAP predicted several small molecular agents as potential gene targets in IPF. Several functional modules were detected that showed the highest correlation with IPF, including an extracellular matrix (ECM) component, and a myeloid leukocyte migration and activation component involved in the immune response. Hub genes were identified in the key functional modules that might have a role in the progression of IPF. CONCLUSIONS WGCNA was used to identify functional modules and hub genes involved in the pathogenesis of IPF.

LPLUNC1 stabilises PHB1 by counteracting TRIM21-mediated ubiquitination to inhibit NF-κB activity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Long-palate, lung and nasal epithelium clone 1 (LPLUNC1) is a tumour suppressor gene in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and low expression of LPLUNC1 is associated with poor prognosis. Our previous study showed that LPLUNC1 upregulates Prohibitin 1 (PHB1), a pleiotropic protein that functions as a tumour suppressor gene in various cancers. Low expression of PHB1 was also found to be associated with the poor prognosis of NPC patients. However, the mechanisms by which LPLUNC1 upregulates PHB1 and the potential role of PHB1 in NPC are unclear. Here, we found that LPLUNC1 stabilised PHB1 by inhibiting PHB1 ubiquitination, which is mediated by E3 ligase TRIM21. LPLUNC1 competitively impaired the binding of PHB1 to TRIM21 due to its stronger binding affinity to PHB1, suppressing the ubiquitination of PHB1. Therefore, our study indicates that PHB1 acted as a tumour suppressor gene by inhibiting NF-κB activity. Depletion of PHB1 significantly attenuated the anti-tumour effects of LPLUNC1 in NPC cells, and the inhibitory effect of LPLUNC1 on NF-κB activity was thus reversed. Together, our findings revealed a novel mechanism underlying the anticancer effect of LPLUNC1 and clarified that PHB1 may represent a novel, promising candidate tumour suppressor gene in NPC, with potential therapeutic target value.

Hedgehog signaling in the airway epithelium of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Genome-wide association studies have linked gene variants of the receptor patched homolog 1 (PTCH1) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, its biological role in the disease is unclear. Our objective was to determine the expression pattern and biological role of PTCH1 in the lungs of patients with COPD. Airway epithelial-specific PTCH1 protein expression and epithelial morphology were assessed in lung tissues of control and COPD patients. PTCH1 mRNA expression was measured in bronchial epithelial cells obtained from individuals with and without COPD. The effects of PTCH1 siRNA knockdown on epithelial repair and mucous expression were evaluated using human epithelial cell lines. Ptch1^+/− mice were used to assess the effect of decreased PTCH1 on mucous expression and airway epithelial phenotypes. Airway epithelial-specific PTCH1 protein expression was significantly increased in subjects with COPD compared to controls, and its expression was associated with total airway epithelial cell count and thickness. PTCH1 knockdown attenuated wound closure and mucous expression in airway epithelial cell lines. Ptch1^+/− mice had reduced mucous expression compared to wildtype mice following mucous induction. PTCH1 protein is up-regulated in COPD airway epithelium and may upregulate mucous expression. PTCH1 provides a novel target to reduce chronic bronchitis in COPD patients.

Bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP-6) modulates lung function, pulmonary iron levels and cigarette smoke-induced inflammation

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with abnormal inflammatory responses and airway wall remodeling, leading to reduced lung function. An association between the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-6) locus and forced vital capacity has been found in a genome-wide association study. However, the role of BMP-6 in the pathogenesis of COPD remains unknown. The pulmonary expression of BMP-6 was analyzed in patients with COPD and in cigarette smoke (CS)-exposed mice. We evaluated lung function and histology in BMP-6 KO mice at baseline. We exposed BMP-6 KO mice to CS for 4 weeks and measured pulmonary inflammation and iron levels. Pulmonary mRNA levels of BMP-6 were decreased in smokers with and without COPD and in CS-exposed mice. Importantly, BMP-6 expression was lowest in severe COPD. Accordingly, protein levels of BMP-6 were decreased in patients with COPD. Lung function measurements demonstrated a decreased compliance and total lung capacity in BMP-6 KO mice, whereas lung histology was normal. Furthermore, BMP-6 KO mice displayed elevated iron levels and an aggravated CS-induced inflammatory response. These results suggest that BMP-6 is important for normal lung function and that downregulation of BMP-6-as observed in patients with COPD-contributes to pulmonary inflammation after CS exposure.