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Bradding P, Porsbjerg C, Côté A, Dahlén SE, Hallstrand TS, Brightling CE. Airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma: The role of the epithelium. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 153:1181-1193. [PMID: 38395082 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.02.011] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is a key clinical feature of asthma. The presence of AHR in people with asthma provides the substrate for bronchoconstriction in response to numerous diverse stimuli, contributing to airflow limitation and symptoms including breathlessness, wheeze, and chest tightness. Dysfunctional airway smooth muscle significantly contributes to AHR and is displayed as increased sensitivity to direct pharmacologic bronchoconstrictor stimuli, such as inhaled histamine and methacholine (direct AHR), or to endogenous mediators released by activated airway cells such as mast cells (indirect AHR). Research in in vivo human models has shown that the disrupted airway epithelium plays an important role in driving inflammation that mediates indirect AHR in asthma through the release of cytokines such as thymic stromal lymphopoietin and IL-33. These cytokines upregulate type 2 cytokines promoting airway eosinophilia and induce the release of bronchoconstrictor mediators from mast cells such as histamine, prostaglandin D2, and cysteinyl leukotrienes. While bronchoconstriction is largely due to airway smooth muscle contraction, airway structural changes known as remodeling, likely mediated in part by epithelial-derived mediators, also lead to airflow obstruction and may enhance AHR. In this review, we outline the current knowledge of the role of the airway epithelium in AHR in asthma and its implications on the wider disease. Increased understanding of airway epithelial biology may contribute to better treatment options, particularly in precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Bradding
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, Leicester Respiratory National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre, Glenfield Hospital, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Celeste Porsbjerg
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andréanne Côté
- Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Université Laval, Laval, Quebec, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sven-Erik Dahlén
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Teal S Hallstrand
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash; Center for Lung Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.
| | - Christopher E Brightling
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, Leicester Respiratory National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre, Glenfield Hospital, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.
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Tharabenjasin P, Moonwiriyakit A, Sontikun J, Timpratueang K, Kuno S, Aiebchun T, Jongkon N, Mongkolrob R, Pabalan N, Choowongkomon K, Muanprasat C. The barrier-protective effect of β-eudesmol against type 2-inflammatory cytokine-induced tight junction disassembly in airway epithelial cells. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302851. [PMID: 38687777 PMCID: PMC11060601 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Allergic inflammation, which is the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis and asthma, is associated with disruption of the airway epithelial barrier due to the effects of type 2 inflammatory cytokines, i.e. interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 (IL-4/13). The anti-allergic inflammatory effect of β-eudesmol (BE) on the tight junction (TJ) of the airway epithelium has not previously been reported. Herein, the barrier protective effect of BE was determined by measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance and by paracellular permeability assay in an IL-4/13-treated 16HBE14o- monolayer. Pre-treatment of BE concentration- and time- dependently inhibited IL-4/13-induced TJ barrier disruption, with the most significant effect observed at 20 μM. Cytotoxicity analyses showed that BE, either alone or in combination with IL-4/13, had no effect on cell viability. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses showed that BE inhibited IL-4/13-induced mislocalization of TJ components, including occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), without affecting the expression of these two proteins. In addition, the mechanism of the TJ-protective effect of BE was mediated by inhibition of IL-4/13-induced STAT6 phosphorylation, in which BE might serve as an antagonist of cytokine receptors. In silico molecular docking analysis demonstrated that BE potentially interacted with the site I pocket of the type 2 IL-4 receptor, likely at Asn-126 and Tyr-127 amino acid residues. It can therefore be concluded that BE is able to prevent IL-4/13-induced TJ disassembly by interfering with cytokine-receptor interaction, leading to suppression of STAT6-induced mislocalization of occludin and ZO-1. BE is a promising candidate for a therapeutic intervention for inflammatory airway epithelial disorders driven by IL-4/13.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuntila Tharabenjasin
- Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Klongluang, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Aekkacha Moonwiriyakit
- Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, Thailand
| | - Jenjira Sontikun
- Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, Thailand
| | - Kanokphorn Timpratueang
- Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, Thailand
| | - Suhaibee Kuno
- Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, Thailand
| | - Thitinan Aiebchun
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nathjanan Jongkon
- Department of Social and Applied Science, College of Industrial Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rungrawee Mongkolrob
- Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Klongluang, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Noel Pabalan
- Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Klongluang, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | | | - Chatchai Muanprasat
- Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, Thailand
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Varricchi G, Brightling CE, Grainge C, Lambrecht BN, Chanez P. Airway remodelling in asthma and the epithelium: on the edge of a new era. Eur Respir J 2024; 63:2301619. [PMID: 38609094 PMCID: PMC11024394 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01619-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic, heterogeneous disease of the airways, often characterised by structural changes known collectively as airway remodelling. In response to environmental insults, including pathogens, allergens and pollutants, the epithelium can initiate remodelling via an inflammatory cascade involving a variety of mediators that have downstream effects on both structural and immune cells. These mediators include the epithelial cytokines thymic stromal lymphopoietin, interleukin (IL)-33 and IL-25, which facilitate airway remodelling through cross-talk between epithelial cells and fibroblasts, and between mast cells and airway smooth muscle cells, as well as through signalling with immune cells such as macrophages. The epithelium can also initiate airway remodelling independently of inflammation in response to the mechanical stress present during bronchoconstriction. Furthermore, genetic and epigenetic alterations to epithelial components are believed to influence remodelling. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the roles of the epithelium and epithelial cytokines in driving airway remodelling, facilitated by developments in genetic sequencing and imaging techniques. We also explore how new and existing therapeutics that target the epithelium and epithelial cytokines could modify airway remodelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Varricchi
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences and Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, WAO Center of Excellence, Naples, Italy
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council, Naples, Italy
- G. Varricchi and C.E. Brightling contributed equally
| | - Christopher E. Brightling
- Institute for Lung Health, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- G. Varricchi and C.E. Brightling contributed equally
| | - Christopher Grainge
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Bart N. Lambrecht
- Center for Inflammation Research, Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pascal Chanez
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
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Selvakumar B, Eladham MW, Hafezi S, Ramakrishnan R, Hachim IY, Bayram OS, Sharif-Askari NS, Sharif-Askari FS, Ibrahim SM, Halwani R. Allergic Airway Inflammation Emerges from Gut Inflammation and Leakage in Mouse Model of Asthma. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024; 8:e2300350. [PMID: 37752729 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Asthma is an allergic airway inflammatory disease characterized by type 2 immune responses. Growing evidence suggests an association between allergic airways and intestinal diseases. However, the primary site of disease origin and initial mechanisms involved in the development of allergic airway inflammation (AAI) is not yet understood. Therefore, the initial contributing organs and mechanisms involved in the development of AAI are investigated using a mouse model of asthma. This study, without a local allergen challenge into the lungs, demonstrates a significant increase in intestinal inflammation with signature type-2 mediators including IL-4, IL-13, STAT6, eosinophils, and Th2 cells. In addition, gut leakage and mRNA expressions of gut leakage markers significantly increase in the intestine. Moreover, reduced mRNA expressions of tight junction proteins are observed in gut and interestingly, in lung tissues. Furthermore, in lung tissues, an increased pulmonary barrier permeability and IL-4 and IL-13 levels associated with significant increase of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP-gut leakage marker) and eosinophils are observed. However, with local allergen challenges into the lungs, these mechanisms are further enhanced in both gut and lungs. In conclusion, the primary gut originated inflammatory responses translocates into the lungs to orchestrate AAI in a mouse model of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balachandar Selvakumar
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, UAE
| | - Mariam Wed Eladham
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, UAE
| | - Shirin Hafezi
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, UAE
| | - Rakhee Ramakrishnan
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, UAE
| | - Ibrahim Yaseen Hachim
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, UAE
| | - Ola Salam Bayram
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, UAE
| | - Narjes Saheb Sharif-Askari
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, UAE
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, UAE
| | - Fatemeh Saheb Sharif-Askari
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, UAE
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, UAE
| | - Saleh Mohamed Ibrahim
- Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
- Deapartment of Biotechnology, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 127788, UAE
| | - Rabih Halwani
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, UAE
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, UAE
- Prince Abdullah Ben Khaled Celiac Disease Research Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11461, Saudi Arabia
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Yao X, Chen Q, Wang X, Liu X, Zhang L. IL-25 induces airway remodeling in asthma by orchestrating the phenotypic changes of epithelial cell and fibrocyte. Respir Res 2023; 24:212. [PMID: 37635231 PMCID: PMC10463650 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-023-02509-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that IL-25 levels are increased in patients with asthma with fixed airflow limitation (FAL). However, the mechanism by which IL-25 contributes to airway remodeling and FAL remains unclear. Here, we hypothesized that IL-25 facilitates pro-fibrotic phenotypic changes in bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) and circulating fibrocytes (CFs), orchestrates pathological crosstalk from BECs to CFs, and thereby contributes to airway remodeling and FAL. METHODS Fibrocytes from asthmatic patients with FAL and chronic asthma murine models were detected using flow cytometry, multiplex staining and multispectral imaging analysis. The effect of IL-25 on BECs and CFs and on the crosstalk between BECs and CFs was determined using cell culture and co-culture systems. RESULTS We found that asthmatic patients with FAL had higher numbers of IL-25 receptor (i.e., IL-17RB)+-CFs, which were negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC). The number of airway IL-17RB+-fibrocytes was significantly increased in ovalbumin (OVA)- and IL-25-induced asthmatic mice versus the control subjects. BECs stimulated with IL-25 exhibited an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like phenotypic changes. CFs stimulated with IL-25 produced high levels of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and connective tissue growth factors (CTGF). These profibrotic effects of IL-25 were partially blocked by the PI3K-AKT inhibitor LY294002. In the cell co-culture system, OVA-challenged BECs facilitated the migration and expression of ECM proteins and CTGF in CFs, which were markedly blocked using an anti-IL-17RB antibody. CONCLUSION These results suggest that IL-25 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for asthmatic patients with FAL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujuan Yao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No.2, Xinanhuan Road, Yizhuang District, Beijing, 100176, China
| | - Qinglin Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No.2, Xinanhuan Road, Yizhuang District, Beijing, 100176, China
| | - Xiangdong Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of Ministry of Education of China, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, No. 17, Hougou Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Xiaofang Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No.2, Xinanhuan Road, Yizhuang District, Beijing, 100176, China.
| | - Luo Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of Ministry of Education of China, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, No. 17, Hougou Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100005, China.
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Raby KL, Michaeloudes C, Tonkin J, Chung KF, Bhavsar PK. Mechanisms of airway epithelial injury and abnormal repair in asthma and COPD. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1201658. [PMID: 37520564 PMCID: PMC10374037 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1201658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The airway epithelium comprises of different cell types and acts as a physical barrier preventing pathogens, including inhaled particles and microbes, from entering the lungs. Goblet cells and submucosal glands produce mucus that traps pathogens, which are expelled from the respiratory tract by ciliated cells. Basal cells act as progenitor cells, differentiating into different epithelial cell types, to maintain homeostasis following injury. Adherens and tight junctions between cells maintain the epithelial barrier function and regulate the movement of molecules across it. In this review we discuss how abnormal epithelial structure and function, caused by chronic injury and abnormal repair, drives airway disease and specifically asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In both diseases, inhaled allergens, pollutants and microbes disrupt junctional complexes and promote cell death, impairing the barrier function and leading to increased penetration of pathogens and a constant airway immune response. In asthma, the inflammatory response precipitates the epithelial injury and drives abnormal basal cell differentiation. This leads to reduced ciliated cells, goblet cell hyperplasia and increased epithelial mesenchymal transition, which contribute to impaired mucociliary clearance and airway remodelling. In COPD, chronic oxidative stress and inflammation trigger premature epithelial cell senescence, which contributes to loss of epithelial integrity and airway inflammation and remodelling. Increased numbers of basal cells showing deregulated differentiation, contributes to ciliary dysfunction and mucous hyperproduction in COPD airways. Defective antioxidant, antiviral and damage repair mechanisms, possibly due to genetic or epigenetic factors, may confer susceptibility to airway epithelial dysfunction in these diseases. The current evidence suggests that a constant cycle of injury and abnormal repair of the epithelium drives chronic airway inflammation and remodelling in asthma and COPD. Mechanistic understanding of injury susceptibility and damage response may lead to improved therapies for these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Louise Raby
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - James Tonkin
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kian Fan Chung
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pankaj Kumar Bhavsar
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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Gu X, Chen Y, Qian P, He T, Wu Y, Lin W, Zheng J, Hong M. Cimifugin suppresses type 2 airway inflammation by binding to SPR and regulating its protein expression in a non-enzymatic manner. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 111:154657. [PMID: 36701995 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cimifugin is one of the main bioactive components of Yu-Ping-Feng-San, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, which can effectively relieve Allergic asthma (AA) and atopic dermatitis and reduce recurrence in clinic. However, the underlying mechanism of cimifugin on AA is still unknown. PURPOSE In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of cimifugin on AA. STUDY DESIGN In vivo and in vitro experimental studies were performed. METHODS The effect of cimifugin on AA was demonstrated in vivo and in vitro. Sepiapterin reductase (SPR) was predicted as the most potent target of cimifugin in treating AA by reverse docking. Molecular docking and microscale thermophoresis (MST) were used to analyze the direct binding between cimifugin and SPR. Overexpression and interference of SPR were performed to verify whether targeting SPR is a key step of cimifugin in the treatment of AA. QM385, an inhibitor of SPR, was administrated in vivo and in vitro to evaluate the role of SPR in AA. Further, HPLC and cell-free direct hSPR enzyme activity assay were performed to research whether cimifugin regulated SPR by influencing the enzyme activity. Simultaneously, the inhibitors of protein degradation were used in vitro to explore the mechanism of cimifugin on SPR. RESULTS We found cimifugin effectively alleviated AA by reducing airway hyperresponsiveness, inhibiting type 2 cytokines-mediated airway inflammation, and restoring the expression of epithelial barrier proteins. Molecular docking predicted the direct binding ability of cimifugin to SPR, which was further verified by MST. Notably, the therapeutic effect of cimifugin on AA was dampened with SPR interfering, in contrast, the phenotypic features of AA were significantly alleviated with QM385 application both in vivo and in vitro. Interestingly, cimifugin showed no effect on the enzyme activity of SPR, as the level of its substrate sepiapterin was not affected with cimifugin treatment by cell-free enzyme activity assay. Furthermore, we found cimifugin could reduce SPR protein expression without affecting its mRNA expression probably through autophagosome pathway. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, we're reporting for the first time that cimifugin can suppresses type 2 airway inflammation to alleviate AA by directly binding to SPR and regulating its protein expression in a non-enzymatic manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqun Gu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No.138 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Yanyan Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No.138 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Peiyao Qian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No.138 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Ting He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No.138 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Yameng Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No.138 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine and Holistic Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No.138 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine and Holistic Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No.138 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Min Hong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No.138 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
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Brasier AR. Innate Immunity, Epithelial Plasticity, and Remodeling in Asthma. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1426:265-285. [PMID: 37464126 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-32259-4_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Innate immune responses (IIR) of the epithelium play a critical role in the initiation and progression of asthma. The core of the IIR is an intracellular signaling pathway activated by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to limit the spread of infectious organisms. This chapter will focus on the epithelium as the major innate sentinel cell and its role in acute exacerbations (AEs). Although the pathways of how the IIR activates the NFκB transcription factor, triggering cytokine secretion, dendritic cell activation, and Th2 polarization are well-described, recent exciting work has developed mechanistic insights into how chronic activation of the IIR is linked to mucosal adaptive responses. These adaptations include changes in cell state, now called epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP). EMP is a coordinated, genomic response to airway injury disrupting epithelial barrier function, expanding the basal lamina, and producing airway remodeling. EMP is driven by activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), a transcriptional response producing metabolic shunting of glucose through the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) to protein N-glycosylation. NFκB signaling and UPR activation pathways potentiate each other in remodeling the basement membrane. Understanding of injury-repair process of epithelium provides new therapeutic targets for precision approaches to the treatment of asthma exacerbations and their sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan R Brasier
- Department of Medicine and Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR), School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH), University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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Identification of Molecular Markers Related to Immune Infiltration in Patients with Severe Asthma: A Comprehensive Bioinformatics Analysis Based on the Human Bronchial Epithelial Transcriptome. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:8906064. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/8906064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background. Severe asthma (SA), a heterogeneous inflammatory disease characterized by immune cell infiltration, is particularly difficult to treat and manage. The airway epithelium is an important tissue in regulating innate and adaptive immunity, and targeting airway epithelial cell may contribute to improving the efficacy of asthma therapy. Methods. Bioinformatics methods were utilized to identify the hub genes and signaling pathways involved in SA. Experiments were performed to determine whether these hub genes and signaling pathways were affected by the differences in immune cell infiltration. Results. The weighted gene coexpression network analysis identified 14 coexpression modules, among which the blue and salmon modules exhibited the strongest associations with SA. The blue module was mainly enriched in actomyosin structure organization and was associated with regulating stem cell pluripotency signaling pathways. The salmon module was mainly involved in cornification, skin development, and glycosphingolipid biosynthesis-lacto and neolacto series. The protein-protein interaction network and module analysis identified 11 hub genes in the key modules. The CIBERSORTx algorithm revealed statistically significant differences in CD8+ T cells (
), T follicular helper cells (
), resting mast cells (
), and neutrophils (
) between patients with SA and mild-moderate asthma patients. Pearson’s correlation analysis identified 11 genes that were significantly associated with a variety of immune cells. We further predicted the utility of some potential drugs and validated our results in external datasets. Conclusion. Our results may help provide a better understanding of the relationship between the airway epithelial transcriptome and clinical data of SA. And this study will help to guide the development of SA-targeted molecular therapy.
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Xia Y, Cao H, Zheng J, Chen L. Claudin-1 Mediated Tight Junction Dysfunction as a Contributor to Atopic March. Front Immunol 2022; 13:927465. [PMID: 35844593 PMCID: PMC9277052 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.927465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Atopic march refers to the phenomenon wherein the occurrence of asthma and food allergy tends to increase after atopic dermatitis. The mechanism underlying the progression of allergic inflammation from the skin to gastrointestinal (GI) tract and airways has still remained elusive. Impaired skin barrier was proposed as a risk factor for allergic sensitization. Claudin-1 protein forms tight junctions and is highly expressed in the epithelium of the skin, airways, and GI tract, thus, the downregulation of claudin-1 expression level caused by CLDN-1 gene polymorphism can mediate common dysregulation of epithelial barrier function in these organs, potentially leading to allergic sensitization at various sites. Importantly, in patients with atopic dermatitis, asthma, and food allergy, claudin-1 expression level was significantly downregulated in the skin, bronchial and intestinal epithelium, respectively. Knockdown of claudin-1 expression level in mouse models of atopic dermatitis and allergic asthma exacerbated allergic inflammation, proving that downregulation of claudin-1 expression level contributes to the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. Therefore, we hypothesized that the tight junction dysfunction mediated by downregulation of claudin-1 expression level contributes to atopic march. Further validation with clinical data from patients with atopic march or mouse models of atopic march is needed. If this hypothesis can be fully confirmed, impaired claudin-1 expression level may be a risk factor and likely a diagnostic marker for atopic march. Claudin-1 may serve as a valuable target to slowdown or block the progression of atopic march.
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