Suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 expression and its regulation in relation to inflammation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: The family of Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS) acts as a controller of the duration and intensity of cytokine function by negatively regulating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. SOCS' role in inflammatory diseases in animal models is well demonstrated. However, its role in the development of human disease is still under investigation. SOCS3 plays an important role in tumor development where its downregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various solid tumors such as triple-negative breast cancer. Aim: The aim of this work was to study (1) the expression of SOCS3 in smokers' lungs and its relation to the degree of inflammation and (2) SOCS3 regulation by microRNA (miRNA) in alveolar-macrophage (AM)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Methods: Group A: 35 smokers' [19 with COPD (SC) and 16 without COPD (S)] and 9 nonsmokers (NS); SOCS3, TNFα in AM, and CD8+ T cells were quantified by immunohistochemistry, in lung tissue. Group B: additional 9 SC, 11 S, and 5 NS; AM-EVs expressing SOCS3 (CD14+SOCS3+) and SOCS3 suppressors miRNA-19a-3p and 221-3p in EVs were quantified by flow cytometry and PCR, in BAL. Results: The percentage of SOCS3+ AM was higher in SC [68 (6.6-99)%] and S [48 (8-100)%] than in NS [9.6 (1.9-61)%; p = 0.002; p = 0.03] and correlated with % of TNFα+AM (r = 0.48; p = 0.0009) and CD8+ T cells (r = 0.44; p = 0.0029). In BAL, the CD14+SOCS3+ EVs/µL were increased in SC [33 (21-74)] compared to S [16 (8-37); p = 0.03] and NS [9 (7-21); p = 0.003]. Conversely, miRNA-19a-3p and miRNA-221-3p expression were increased in S when compared to SC [19 (2-53) vs. 3 (0.6-8); p = 0.03 and 3 (0.005-9.6) vs. 0.2 (0.08-0.7); p = 0.05]. Conclusions: The suppressor function of SOCS3 in COPD seems to be overridden by other factors and does not follow the animal-model paradigm. Expression of SOCS3 in BAL macrophage-derived EVs might be useful to assess the degree of inflammation and possible progression of COPD. Downregulation of SOCS3, by miRNA, in smokers without COPD might contribute to the risk of developing cancer in these patients.

Pleural clinic: where thoracic ultrasound meets respiratory medicine.

Thoracic ultrasound (TUS) has become an essential procedure in respiratory medicine. Due to its intrinsic safety and versatility, it has been applied in patients affected by several respiratory diseases both in intensive care and outpatient settings. TUS can complement and often exceed stethoscope and radiological findings, especially in managing pleural diseases. We hereby aimed to describe the establishment, development, and optimization in a large, tertiary care hospital of a pleural clinic, which is dedicated to the evaluation and monitoring of patients with pleural diseases, including, among others, pleural effusion and/or thickening, pneumothorax and subpleural consolidation. The clinic was initially meant to follow outpatients undergoing medical thoracoscopy. In this scenario, TUS allowed rapid and regular assessment of these patients, promptly diagnosing recurrence of pleural effusion and other complications that could be appropriately managed. Over time, our clinic has rapidly expanded its initial indications thus becoming the place to handle more complex respiratory patients in collaboration with, among others, thoracic surgeons and oncologists. In this article, we critically describe the strengths and pitfalls of our "pleural clinic" and propose an organizational model that results from a synergy between respiratory physicians and other professionals. This model can inspire other healthcare professionals to develop a similar organization based on their local setting.

Extracellular Vesicles in Pulmonary Hypertension: A Dangerous Liaison?

The term pulmonary hypertension (PH) refers to different conditions, all characterized by increased pressure and resistance in the pulmonary arterial bed. PH has a wide range of causes (essentially, cardiovascular, pulmonary, or connective tissue disorders); however, idiopathic (i.e., without a clear cause) PH exists. This chronic, progressive, and sometimes devastating disease can finally lead to right heart failure and eventually death, through pulmonary vascular remodeling and dysfunction. The exact nature of PH pathophysiology is sometimes still unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), previously known as apoptotic bodies, microvesicles, and exosomes, are small membrane-bound vesicles that are generated by almost all cell types and can be detected in a variety of physiological fluids. EVs are involved in intercellular communication, thus influencing immunological response, inflammation, embryogenesis, aging, and regenerative processes. Indeed, they transport chemokines, cytokines, lipids, RNA and miRNA, and other biologically active molecules. Although the precise functions of EVs are still not fully known, there is mounting evidence that they can play a significant role in the pathophysiology of PH. In this review, after briefly recapping the key stages of PH pathogenesis, we discuss the current evidence on the functions of EVs both as PH biomarkers and potential participants in the distinct pathways of disease progression.

Molecular Mechanism in the Development of Pulmonary Fibrosis in Patients with Sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disease of unknown etiology characterized by the formation of granulomas in various organs, especially lung and mediastinal hilar lymph nodes. The clinical course and manifestations are unpredictable: spontaneous remission can occur in approximately two thirds of patients; up to 20% of patients have chronic course of the lung disease (called advanced pulmonary sarcoidosis, APS) resulting in progressive loss of lung function, sometimes life-threatening that can lead to respiratory failure and death. The immunopathology mechanism leading from granuloma formation to the fibrosis in APS still remains elusive. Recent studies have provided new insights into the genetic factors and immune components involved in the clinical manifestation of the disease. In this review we aim to summarize the clinical-prognostic characteristics and molecular pathways which are believed to be associated with the development of APS.

Prevalence of diaphragm dysfunction in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD): The role of diaphragmatic ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Diaphragm ultrasound (DUS) has been extensively used in critically ill patients while data on outpatients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) are limited. We hypothesized that diaphragm function, assessed by ultrasound, could be impaired in patients with ILD, considering both Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and Connective Tissue Disease (CTD-ILD), compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, this impairment could impact clinical and functional parameters. METHODS: All consecutive CTD-ILD and IPF patients followed in our center (March-October 2020) were screened. Diaphragm displacement (DD), inspiratory thickness (Ti), expiratory thickness (Te), thickening fraction (TF), and respiratory functional parameters were collected. The prevalence of diaphragmatic dysfunction (TF <30%) was then recorded. RESULTS: Eighty-two consecutive patients (41 CTD-ILD, 41 IPF) and 15 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. In the overall population, 24 out of 82 (29%) presented diaphragmatic dysfunction. In CTD-ILD, DD and Ti were lower as compared to IPF (p = 0.021 and p = 0.036, respectively); while diaphragmatic dysfunction was more prevalent compared to controls (37% vs 7%, p = 0.043). TF positively correlated to patients' functional parameters in the CTD-ILD group (FVC%pred: p = 0.003; r = 0.45), while not in the IPF group. Diaphragmatic dysfunction was associated with moderate/severe dyspnea in both CTD-ILD and IPF (p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of diaphragmatic dysfunction was 29% in patients with ILD and was associated with moderate/severe dyspnea. CTD-ILD presented lower DD compared with IPF and a higher prevalence of diaphragmatic dysfunction (TF<30%) compared with controls. TF was associated with lung function only in CTD-ILD patients, suggesting its potential role in the comprehensive patient assessment.

Macrophages-derived Factor XIII links coagulation to inflammation in COPD.

Background: The local, extravascular, activation of the coagulation system in response to injury is a key factor mediating the resulting inflammatory response. Coagulation Factor XIIIA (FXIIIA) found in alveolar macrophages (AM) and dendritic cells (DC), by influencing fibrin stability, might be an inflammatory modifier in COPD. Aims: To study the expression of FXIIIA in AM and Langerin+DC (DC-1) and their relation to the inflammatory response and disease progression in COPD. Methods: In 47 surgical lungs, 36 from smokers (22 COPD and 14 no-COPD) and 11 from non-smokers we quantified by immunohistochemistry FXIIIA expression in AM and DC-1 along with numbers of CD8+Tcells and CXCR3 expression in lung parenchyma and airways. Lung function was measured prior to surgery. Results: The percentage of AM expressing FXIII (%FXIII+AM) was higher in COPD than no-COPD and non-smokers. DC-1 expressed FXIIIA and their numbers were higher in COPD than no-COPD and non-smokers. DC-1 positively correlated with %FXIII+AM (r=0.43; p<0.018). CD8+Tcells, which were higher in COPD than in no-COPD, were correlated with DC-1 (p<0.01) and %FXIII+AM. CXCR3+ cells were increased in COPD and correlated with %FXIII+AM (p<0.05). Both %FXIII+AM (r=-0.6; p=0.001) and DC-1 (r=-0.7; p=0.001) correlated inversely with FEV1. Conclusion: FXIIIA, an important link between the extravascular coagulation cascade and inflammatory response, is significantly expressed in alveolar macrophages and dendritic cells of smokers with COPD, suggesting that it could play an important role in the adaptive inflammatory reaction characteristic of the disease.

Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) as Crucial Mediators of Cell-Cell Interaction in Asthma.

Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disorder worldwide and accounts for a huge health and economic burden. Its incidence is rapidly increasing but, in parallel, novel personalized approaches have emerged. Indeed, the improved knowledge of cells and molecules mediating asthma pathogenesis has led to the development of targeted therapies that significantly increased our ability to treat asthma patients, especially in severe stages of disease. In such complex scenarios, extracellular vesicles (EVs i.e., anucleated particles transporting nucleic acids, cytokines, and lipids) have gained the spotlight, being considered key sensors and mediators of the mechanisms controlling cell-to-cell interplay. We will herein first revise the existing evidence, mainly by mechanistic studies in vitro and in animal models, that EV content and release is strongly influenced by the specific triggers of asthma. Current studies indicate that EVs are released by potentially all cell subtypes in the asthmatic airways, particularly by bronchial epithelial cells (with different cargoes in the apical and basolateral side) and inflammatory cells. Such studies largely suggest a pro-inflammatory and pro-remodelling role of EVs, whereas a minority of reports indicate protective effects, particularly by mesenchymal cells. The co-existence of several confounding factors-including technical pitfalls and host and environmental confounders-is still a major challenge in human studies. Technical standardization in isolating EVs from different body fluids and careful selection of patients will provide the basis for obtaining reliable results and extend their application as effective biomarkers in asthma.

Do Circulating Extracellular Vesicles Strictly Reflect Bronchoalveolar Lavage Extracellular Vesicles in COPD?

Cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) found in the circulation and body fluids contain biomolecules that could be used as biomarkers for lung and other diseases. EVs from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) might be more informative of lung abnormalities than EVs from blood, where information might be diluted. To compare EVs' characteristics in BAL and blood in smokers with and without COPD. Same-day BAL and blood samples were obtained in 9 nonsmokers (NS), 11 smokers w/o COPD (S), and 9 with COPD (SCOPD) (FEV1: 59 ± 3% pred). After differential centrifugation, EVs (200-500 nm diameter) were identified by flow cytometry and labeled with cell-type specific antigens: CD14 for macrophage-derived EVs, CD326 for epithelial-derived EVs, CD146 for endothelial-derived EVs, and CD62E for activated-endothelial-derived EVs. In BAL, CD14-EVs were increased in S compared to NS [384 (56-567) vs. 172 (115-282) events/µL; p = 0.007] and further increased in SCOPD [619 (224-888)] compared to both S (p = 0.04) and NS (p < 0.001). CD326-EVs were increased in S [760 (48-2856) events/µL, p < 0.001] and in SCOPD [1055 (194-11,491), p < 0.001] when compared to NS [15 (0-68)]. CD146-EVs and CD62E-EVs were similar in the three groups. In BAL, significant differences in macrophage and epithelial-derived EVs can be clearly detected between NS, S and SCOPD, while these differences were not found in plasma. This suggests that BAL is a better medium than blood to study EVs in lung diseases.

Predictors of pulmonary sequelae after COVID-19 pneumonia: A 12-month follow-up study.

Background: Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, over 550 million people have been infected worldwide. Despite these large numbers, the long-term pulmonary consequences of COVID-19 remain unclear. Aims: The aim of this single-center observational cohort study was to identify and characterize pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19 at 12 months from hospitalization and to reveal possible predictors for the persistence of long-term lung consequences. Methods: Based on the persistence or absence of radiological changes after 12 months from hospitalization, the whole population was categorized into NOT-RECOVERED (NOT-REC) and RECOVERED (REC) groups, respectively. Clinical and pulmonary function data tests and clinical data were also collected and compared in the two groups. In the NOT-REC group, high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images were semiquantitatively scored analyzing ground-glass opacities (GGO), interstitial thickening (IT), consolidations (CO), linear and curvilinear band opacities, and bronchiectasis for each lung lobe. Logistic regression analyses served to detect the factors associated with 12-month radiological consequences. Results: Out of the 421 patients followed after hospitalization for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, 347 met inclusion and exclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. The NOT-REC patients (n = 24; 6.9%) were significantly older [67 (62-76) years vs. 63 (53-71) years; p = 0.02], more frequently current smokers [4 (17%) vs. 12 (4%); p = 0.02], and with more severe respiratory failure at the time of hospitalization [PaO2/FiO2 at admission: 201 (101-314) vs. 295 (223-343); p = 0.01] compared to REC group (n = 323; 93.1%). On multivariable analysis, being a current smoker resulted in an independent predictor for lung sequelae after 12 months from hospitalization [5.6 OR; 95% CI (1.41-22.12); p = 0.01]. Conclusion: After 12 months from hospital admission, a limited number of patients displayed persistent pulmonary sequelae with minimal extension. Being a current smoker at the time of SARS-CoV-2 infection is an independent predictive factor to lung consequences, regardless of the disease severity.

Radiological Assessment in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Patients According to MUC5B Polymorphism.

The MUC5B rs35705950 mutant T allele is the strongest genetic risk factor for familial and sporadic IPF. We sought to determine whether MUC5B genotype influences radiological patterns of IPF at diagnosis, as well as their change over time, in patients on antifibrotic therapy. Among eighty-eight IPF patients, previously genotyped for MUC5B rs35705950, we considered seventy-eight patients who were evaluated for radiological quantification of the following features both at treatment initiation (HRCT1) and after 1 year (HRCT2): ground glass opacities (AS), reticulations (IS) and honeycombing (HC). Of the evaluated patients, 69% carried at least one copy of the T allele (TT/TG). Carriers of the T allele displayed similar FVC loss in the first year of treatment as GG carriers, but overall survival at the end of follow-up was longer in the TT/TG group, compared to the GG group. In the GG group, both the AS and HC increased significantly, whereas in the TT/TG group only HC increased over the first year of treatment. MUC5B rs35705950 GG carriers are associated with increased ground glass and honeycombing extent over time and worse survival than T allele carriers. Longitudinal HRCT may help define the prognostic role of the MUC5B rs35705950 genotype.

The role of immune response in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: far beyond the Th1/Th2 imbalance.

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic disease of unknown origin characterized by progressive scarring of the lung leading to irreversible loss of function. Despite the availability of two drugs that are able to slow down disease progression, IPF remains a deadly disease. The pathogenesis of IPF is poorly understood, but a dysregulated wound healing response following recurrent alveolar epithelial injury is thought to be crucial. AREAS COVERED: In the last few years, the role of the immune system in IPF pathobiology has been reconsidered; indeed, recent data suggest that a dysfunctional immune system may promote and unfavorable interplay with pro-fibrotic pathways thus acting as a cofactor in disease development and progression. In this article, we review and critically discuss the role of T cells in the pathogenesis and progression of IPF in the attempt to highlight ways in which further research in this area may enable the development of targeted immunomodulatory therapies for this dreadful disease. EXPERT OPINION: A better understanding of T cell interactions has the potential to facilitate the development of immune modulators targeting multiple T cell-mediated pathways, thus halting disease initiation and progression.

Differences Between Early- and Late-Onset Asthma: Role of Comorbidities in Symptom Control.

BACKGROUND: Asthma can present in early childhood or de novo in adulthood. Our understanding of the burden of comorbidities in adult asthmatic patients stratified by age at onset is incomplete. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate how different comorbidities may affect symptom control in two distinct groups of patients with early- and late-onset asthma (EOA and LOA, respectively) and to explore whether reported comorbidities are associated with lung function and inflammatory parameters. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 175 adult asthmatic patients (aged 57.5 ± 17.1 years) recruited at our university asthma clinic. We defined EOA as asthma onset less than 12 years, and LOA as onset greater than 40 years. The primary outcome was symptom control and main comorbidities evaluated were rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux, obesity, cardiovascular conditions, and bronchiectasis. We used multivariable regression analysis to identify potential predictors of poor control in EOA and LOA. RESULTS: Of 175 subjects, 77 had EOA (44%), 98 had LOA (56%), and comorbidities had a differential impact in the two groups. Rhinitis was more frequent in EOA (76 vs 53%; P = .02) and was associated with uncontrolled asthma (P < .001), reduced FEV1/FVC (P = .01), increased eosinophils (P = .003) and total IgE (P < .01). Conversely, in LOA, rhinitis was associated with more controlled asthma and higher FEV1/FVC (both P < .01). In EOA, only, IgE levels were directly related to blood eosinophils (r = 0.42; P <.001) and inversely to FEV1/FVC (r = -0.35; P = .002). Obesity was present in 20% of patients in both groups, but only in LOA was it associated with uncontrolled disease (P = .009), reduced FEV1/FVC (P = .009), and blood neutrophils (P = .03). In multivariable regression analysis, rhinitis in EOA and obesity in LOA were the risk factors most closely associated with poor control. Gastroesophageal reflux, cardiovascular comorbidities, and bronchiectasis did not affect control. CONCLUSIONS: Early-onset persistent asthma and late-onset asthma are distinct phenotypes with different underlying inflammatory patterns and different comorbidities affecting symptom control.

Chronic Bronchitis Affects Outcomes in Smokers without Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

BACKGROUND: Chronic bronchitis (CB) importantly affects outcomes in smokers with COPD, but the effects on smokers without COPD are less well known and less emphasized. The aim of our study was to investigate the possible effects of CB on clinical outcomes in smokers without COPD (noCOPD) and compare them with the effects in smokers with COPD (COPD). METHODS: For that purpose, we studied 511 smokers, 302 with and 209 without COPD, followed for 10 years in an academic COPD ambulatory setting. Chronic bronchitis was defined as the presence of cough and sputum production for at least 3 months in each of two consecutive years. All subjects underwent clinical and functional examination with spirometry, diffusion capacity (DLco), 6-min walking test (6MWT), mMRC Dyspnoea Scale, COPD Assessment Test (CAT), and recording of annual frequency of exacerbations. All-cause mortality during follow-up was recorded. RESULTS: 27% of noCOPD and 45% of COPD had CB. noCOPD with CB had lower FEV1 and DLco, worse 6MWT, more dyspnoea, a higher number of exacerbations and lower survival than noCOPD without CB. CB did not affect FEV1 decline in noCOPD but it significantly did in COPD. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of chronic bronchitis in smokers without COPD will significantly affect symptoms, quality of life, and survival, underlining the importance of recognizing the condition and managing it accordingly.

Multidimensional 3-Month Follow-Up of Severe COVID-19: Airways beyond the Parenchyma in Symptomatic Patients.

SARS-CoV-2 may lead to a large spectrum of respiratory manifestations, including pulmonary sequelae. We conducted a single-center longitudinal study of survivors from severe COVID-19 cases who underwent a chest CT during hospitalization (CTH). Three months after being discharged, these patients were evaluated by a clinical examination, pulmonary function tests and a chest-CT scan (CTFU). Sixty-two patients were enrolled. At follow-up, 27% complained of exertional dyspnoea and 12% of cough. Dyspnoeic patients had a lower forced expiratory flow (FEF)25-75 (p = 0.015), while a CT scan (p = 0.016 showed that patients with cough had a higher extent of bronchiectasis. Lung volumes and diffusion of carbon monoxide (DLCO) at follow-up were lower in patients who had been invasively ventilated, which correlated inversely with the length of hospitalization and ground-glass extension at CTH. At follow-up, 14.5% of patients had a complete radiological resolution, while 85.5% presented persistence of ground-glass opacities, and 46.7% showed fibrotic-like alterations. Residual ground-glass at CTFU was related to the length of hospitalization (r = 0.48; p = 0.0002) and to the need for mechanical ventilation or high flow oxygen (p = 0.01) during the acute phase. In conclusion, although patients at three months from discharge showed functional impairment and radiological abnormalities, which correlated with a prolonged hospital stay and need for mechanical ventilation, the persistence of respiratory symptoms was related not to parenchymal but rather to airway sequelae.

Symptomatic smokers without COPD have physiological changes heralding the development of COPD.

Background: COPD is a major health problem, mainly due to cigarette smoking. Most studies in COPD are dedicated to fully developed COPD in older subjects, even though development of COPD may start soon after smoking initiation. Therefore, there is a need to diagnose this "early disease" by detecting the initial events responsible for ultimate development of COPD. Methods: Measurement of maximum mid expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of vital capacity (MMEF) in a routine spirometry, which detects small airways disease, was used to investigate if MMEF abnormalities in smokers without COPD (noCOPD) would relate to respiratory symptoms and identify smokers that might progress to COPD. For this purpose we studied 511 smokers, 302 COPD and 209 noCOPD, followed long term with spirometry including MMEF, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (D LCO), 6-min walk test (6MWT), Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale and COPD Assessment Test. Three spirometries V1,V2 and V3 (5±2.5 and 10±4 years apart from V1) were performed to assess functional decline and development of COPD. Results: 65% of noCOPD had an abnormal MMEF (<80%) and 38% an abnormal D LCO. The NoCOPD with MMEF <80% group performed worse in the 6MWT (p=0.01), was more dyspnoeic (p=0.01) and had higher prevalence of chronic bronchitis than the noCOPD with MMEF>80% group (p=0.04). 21% of noCOPD with MMEF <80% and 2.7% with MMEF>80% developed COPD by V3 (p=0.0004). Conclusions: The MMEF, a functional test available in a routine spirometry, can detect early lung abnormalities and identify the subset of symptomatic smokers with pathological changes that might lead to COPD.

The Emerging Role of Extracellular Vesicles Detected in Different Biological Fluids in COPD.

The pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by complex cellular and molecular mechanisms, not fully elucidated so far. It involves inflammatory cells (monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes), cytokines, chemokines and, probably, new players yet to be clearly identified and described. Chronic local and systemic inflammation, lung aging and cellular senescence are key pathological events in COPD development and progression over time. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), released by virtually all cells both as microvesicles and exosomes into different biological fluids, are involved in intercellular communication and, therefore, represent intriguing players in pathobiological mechanisms (including those characterizing aging and chronic diseases); moreover, the role of EVs as biomarkers in different diseases, including COPD, is rapidly gaining recognition. In this review, after recalling the essential steps of COPD pathogenesis, we summarize the current evidence on the roles of EVs collected in different biological mediums as biomarkers in COPD and as potential players in the specific mechanisms leading to disease development. We will also briefly review the data on EV as potential therapeutic targets and potential therapeutic agents.

The clinical relevance of lymphocyte to monocyte ratio in patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).

Disease course in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is highly heterogeneous and markers of disease progression would be helpful. Blood leukocyte count has been studied in cancer patients and a reduced lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) has been show to predict survival. Thus, we aimed to investigate the role of monocytes count and LMR in three distinct population of patients with IPF: 77 newly-diagnosed IPF, 40 with end-stage IPF and 17 IPF with lung cancer. In newly-diagnosed IPF patients, we observed a negative correlation between forced vital capacity (FVC) at diagnosis and both white blood cells and monocytes count (r = -0.24; p = 0.04 and r = -0.27; p = 0.01; respectively). Moreover, a high monocytes count was independently associated with functional decline (OR: 1.004, 95%CI 1.00-1.01; p = 0.03). In newly-diagnosed IPF, the LMR cut-off at diagnosis was 4.18 with an AUC of 0.67 (95%CI 0.5417-0.7960; p = 0.025), and overall survival was significantly worse in patients with a LMR<4.18 compared to patients with a LMR≥4.18 (HR: 6.88, 95%CI 2.55-18.5; p = 0.027). LMR was significantly lower in IPF patients with lung cancer compared to those newly diagnosed with IPF [2.2 (0.8-4.4), 3.5 (0.8-8.8); p < 0.0001] and those with end-stage disease [3.6 (2-6.5); p < 0.0001]. In conclusion, a LMR<4.18 is associated with significantly shorter survival in newly-diagnosed IPF patients. In addition, LMR is significantly lower in patients with IPF and lung cancer compared to patients with newly-diagnosed IPF. High monocytes count at baseline negatively correlates with FVC and is an independent predictor of disease progression in newly-diagnosed IPF patients.

Air Pollution Exposure Impairs Airway Epithelium IFN-ß Expression in Pre-School Children.

Introduction: Air pollution is a risk factor for respiratory infections and asthma exacerbations. We previously reported impaired Type-I and Type-III interferons (IFN-ß/λ) from airway epithelial cells of preschool children with asthma and/or atopy. In this study we analyzed the association between rhinovirus-induced IFN-ß/λ epithelial expression and acute exposure to the principal outdoor air pollutants in the same cohort. Methods: We studied 34 children (17asthmatics/17non-asthmatics) undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy for clinical indications. Bronchial epithelial cells were harvested by brushing, cultured and experimentally infected with Rhinovirus Type 16 (RV16). RV16-induced IFN-ß and λ expression was measured by quantitative real time PCR, as was RV16vRNA. The association between IFNs and the mean exposure to PM10, SO2 and NO2 in the day preceding bronchoscopy was evaluated using a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) with Gamma distribution. Results: Acute exposure to PM10 and NO2 was negatively associated to RV16-induced IFNß mRNA. For each increase of 1ug/m3 of NO2 we found a significative decrease of 2.3x103 IFN-ß mRNA copies and for each increase of 1ug/m3 of PM10 a significative decrease of 1x103 IFN-ß mRNA copies. No significant associations were detected between IFN-λ mRNA and NO2 nor PM10. Increasing levels of NO2 (but not PM10) were found to be associated to increased RV16 replication. Conclusions: Short-term exposure to high levels of NO2 and PM10 is associated to a reduced IFN-ß expression by the airway epithelium, which may lead to increased viral replication. These findings suggest a potential mechanism underlying the link between air pollution, viral infections and asthma exacerbations.

Pneumothorax and/or Pneumomediastinum Worsens the Prognosis of COVID-19 Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Failure: A Multicenter Retrospective Case-Control Study in the North-East of Italy.

Pneumothorax (PNX) and pneumomediastinum (PNM) are potential complications of COVID-19, but their influence on patients' outcomes remains unclear. The aim of the study was to assess incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of severe COVID-19 complicated with PNX/PNM. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter case-control analysis was conducted in COVID-19 patients admitted for respiratory failure in intermediate care units of the Treviso area, Italy, from March 2020 to April 2021. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with and without PNX/PNM were compared. RESULTS: Among 1213 patients, PNX and/or PNM incidence was 4.5%. Among these, 42% had PNX and PNM, 33.5% only PNX, and 24.5% only PNM. COVID-19 patients with PNX/PNM showed higher in-hospital (p = 0.02) and 90-days mortality (p = 0.048), and longer hospitalization length (p = 0.002) than COVID-19 patients without PNX/PNM. At PNX/PNM occurrence, one-third of subjects was not mechanically ventilated, and the respiratory support was similar to the control group. PNX/PNM occurrence was associated with longer symptom length before hospital admission (p = 0.005) and lower levels of blood lymphocytes (p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: PNX/PNM are complications of COVID-19 associated with a worse prognosis in terms of mortality and length of hospitalization. Although they are more frequent in ventilated patients, they can occur in non-ventilated, suggesting that mechanisms other than barotrauma might contribute to their presentation.

Circulating Extracellular Vesicles Are Associated with Disease Severity and Interleukin-6 Levels in COPD: A Pilot Study.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex condition in which systemic inflammation plays a role in extrapulmonary manifestations, including cardiovascular diseases: interleukin (IL)-6 has a role in both COPD and atherogenesis. The 2011 GOLD document classified patients according to FEV1, symptoms, and exacerbations history, creating four groups, from A (less symptoms/low risk) to D (more symptoms/high risk). Extracellular vesicles (EV) represent potential markers in COPD: nevertheless, no studies have explored their value in association to both disease severity and inflammation. We conducted a pilot study to analyze circulating endothelial-(E) and monocyte-derived (M) EV levels in 35 COPD patients, who were grouped according to the 2011 GOLD document; the relationship between EV and plasmatic markers of inflammation was analyzed. We found a statistically significant trend for increasing EEV, MEV, IL-6, from group A to D, and a significant correlation between EEV and IL-6. The associations between both EEV and MEV and disease severity, and between EEV and IL-6, suggest a significant interplay between pulmonary disease and inflammation, with non-respiratory cells (endothelial cells and monocytes) involvement, along with the progression of the disease. Thus, EV might help identify a high-risk population for extrapulmonary events, especially in the most severe patients.