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Muchowicz A, Bartoszewicz A, Zaslona Z. The Exploitation of the Glycosylation Pattern in Asthma: How We Alter Ancestral Pathways to Develop New Treatments. Biomolecules 2024; 14:513. [PMID: 38785919 PMCID: PMC11117584 DOI: 10.3390/biom14050513] [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: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Asthma has reached epidemic levels, yet progress in developing specific therapies is slow. One of the main reasons for this is the fact that asthma is an umbrella term for various distinct subsets. Due to its high heterogeneity, it is difficult to establish biomarkers for each subset of asthma and to propose endotype-specific treatments. This review focuses on protein glycosylation as a process activated in asthma and ways to utilize it to develop novel biomarkers and treatments. We discuss known and relevant glycoproteins whose functions control disease development. The key role of glycoproteins in processes integral to asthma, such as inflammation, tissue remodeling, and repair, justifies our interest and research in the field of glycobiology. Altering the glycosylation states of proteins contributing to asthma can change the pathological processes that we previously failed to inhibit. Special emphasis is placed on chitotriosidase 1 (CHIT1), an enzyme capable of modifying LacNAc- and LacdiNAc-containing glycans. The expression and activity of CHIT1 are induced in human diseased lungs, and its pathological role has been demonstrated by both genetic and pharmacological approaches. We propose that studying the glycosylation pattern and enzymes involved in glycosylation in asthma can help in patient stratification and in developing personalized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zbigniew Zaslona
- Molecure S.A., Zwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089 Warszawa, Poland; (A.M.); (A.B.)
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Declercq J, Hammad H, Lambrecht BN, Smole U. Chitinases and chitinase-like proteins in asthma. Semin Immunol 2023; 67:101759. [PMID: 37031560 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Despite the lack of endogenous chitin synthesis, mammalian genomes encode two enzymatically active true chitinases (chitotriosidase and acidic mammalian chitinase) and a variable number of chitinase-like proteins (CLPs) that have no enzyme activity but bind chitin. Chitinases and CLPs are prominent components of type-2 immune response-mediated respiratory diseases. However, despite extensive research into their role in allergic airway disease, there is still no agreement on whether they are mere biomarkers of disease or actual disease drivers. Functions ascribed to chitinases and CLPs include, but are not limited to host defense against chitin-containing pathogens, directly promoting inflammation, and modulating tissue remodeling and fibrosis. Here, we discuss in detail the chitin-dependent and -independent roles of chitinases and CLPs in the context of allergic airway disease, and recent advances and emerging concepts in the field that might identify opportunities for new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozefien Declercq
- Immunoregulation Unit, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hamida Hammad
- Immunoregulation Unit, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart N Lambrecht
- Immunoregulation Unit, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Pulmonary Medicine, ErasmusMC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Ursula Smole
- Immunoregulation Unit, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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Țaranu I, Iancu M, Lazea C, Alkhzouz C, Răcătăianu N, Cătană CS, Mirea AM, Miclea D, Bolboacă SD, Drugan C. Evaluation of Circulating Chitotriosidase Activity in Children with Obesity. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11133634. [PMID: 35806923 PMCID: PMC9267881 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11133634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood obesity progresses to metabolic disturbances via low-grade inflammation. Identifying novel molecules that reflect the activity of the immune responses is critical in understanding its underlying pathogenesis. Our exploratory study aimed to evaluate the change of chitotriosidase (CHIT1) plasma activity according to Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-age z score in pediatric patients. The study evaluated 68 children consisting of 47.1% girls with a mean age of 12.47 ± 3.71 years and 52.9% boys with a mean age of 11.93 ± 3.18 years. The effect of the most frequent CHIT1 gene variants, the 24 base pair duplication (dup24) and G102S polymorphism, upon the association between circulating CHIT1 activity and the obesity level, was also investigated. A significantly higher logCHIT1 plasma activity was found in children with extreme obesity than in children with overweight (p = 0.048 for the uncorrected CHIT1 and 0.026 for the corrected CHIT1). The BMI-for-age z score significantly (p = 0.031) predicts increased CHIT1 activity in children with overweight, obesity, and extreme obesity after controlling for the two gene variants, age, gender, and time since weight gain. Dup24 and G102S polymorphism were significant independent predictors (p-values < 0.002) for the change of CHIT1 plasma activity. Circulating CHIT1 might be an accurate indicator of inflammation in children with obesity. Its role and the effect of the dup24 and G102S variants on the CHIT1 activity should be validated in a larger cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Țaranu
- Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur Str., No. 6, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.Ț.); (M.I.); (S.D.B.)
- Pediatric Clinic 1, Emergency Pediatric Hospital, Calea Moților, No. 68, 400370 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Mihaela Iancu
- Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur Str., No. 6, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.Ț.); (M.I.); (S.D.B.)
| | - Cecilia Lazea
- Pediatric Clinic 1, Emergency Pediatric Hospital, Calea Moților, No. 68, 400370 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department Mother and Child, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Calea Moților, No. 68, 400370 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-744353764
| | - Camelia Alkhzouz
- Department Mother and Child, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Calea Moților, No. 68, 400370 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Nicoleta Răcătăianu
- Integrated Ambulatory of Endocrinology, Infectious Diseases Clinical Hospital, Calea Moților, No. 19, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Cristina-Sorina Cătană
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Louis Pasteur Str., No. 6, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (C.-S.C.); (C.D.)
| | - Andreea-Manuela Mirea
- Pediatric Clinic 1, Emergency Pediatric Hospital, Calea Moților, No. 68, 400370 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Diana Miclea
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur Str., No. 6, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Sorana D. Bolboacă
- Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur Str., No. 6, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.Ț.); (M.I.); (S.D.B.)
| | - Cristina Drugan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Louis Pasteur Str., No. 6, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (C.-S.C.); (C.D.)
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