Local and Systemic Overexpression of COMP-Ang1 Induces Ang1/Tie2-Related Thrombocytopenia and SDF-1/CXCR4-Dependent Anemia.

While supplemental angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) improves hematopoiesis, excessive Ang1 induces bone marrow (BM) impairment, hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) senescence, and erythropoietic defect. Here, we examined how excessive Ang1 disturbs hematopoiesis and explored whether hematopoietic defects were related to its level using K14-Cre;c-Ang1 and Col2.3-Cre;c-Ang1 transgenic mice that systemically and locally overexpress cartilage oligomeric matrix protein-Ang1, respectively. We also investigated the impacts of Tie2 inhibitor and AMD3100 on hematopoietic development. Transgenic mice exhibited excessive angiogenic phenotypes, but K14-Cre;c-Ang1 mice showed more severe defects in growth and life span with higher presence of Ang1 compared with Col2.3-Cre;c-Ang1 mice. Dissimilar to K14-Cre;c-Ang1 mice, Col2.3-Cre;c-Ang1 mice did not show impaired BM retention or senescence of HSCs, erythropoietic defect, or disruption of the stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1)/CXCR4 axis. However, these mice exhibited a defect in platelet production depending on the expression of Tie2 and globin transcription factor 1 (GATA-1), but not GATA-2, in megakaryocyte progenitor (MP) cells. Treatment with Tie2 inhibitor recovered GATA-1 expression in MP cells and platelet production without changes in circulating RBC in transgenic mice. Consecutive AMD3100 administration not only induced irrecoverable senescence of HSCs but also suppressed formation of RBC, but not platelets, via correlated decreases in number of erythroblasts and their GATA-1 expression in B6 mice. Our results indicate that genetic overexpression of Ang1 impairs hematopoietic development depending on its level, in which megakaryopoiesis is preferentially impaired via activation of Ang1/Tie2 signaling, whereas erythropoietic defect is orchestrated by HSC senescence, inflammation, and disruption of the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis.

Bioproduction of porphyrins, phycobilins, and their proteins using microbial cell factories: engineering, metabolic regulations, challenges, and perspectives.

Porphyrins, phycobilins, and their proteins have abundant π-electrons and strongly absorb visible light, some of which bind a metal ion in the center. Because of the structural and optical properties, they not only play critical roles as an essential component in natural systems but also have attracted much attention as a high value specialty chemical in various fields, including renewable energy, cosmetics, medicines, and foods. However, their commercial application seems to be still limited because the market price of porphyrins and phycobilins is generally expensive to apply them easily. Furthermore, their petroleum-based chemical synthesis is energy-intensive and emits a pollutant. Recently, to replace petroleum-based production, many studies on the bioproduction of metalloporphyrins, including Zn-porphyrin, Co-porphyrin, and heme, porphyrin derivatives including chlorophyll, biliverdin, and phycobilins, and their proteins including hemoproteins, phycobiliproteins, and phytochromes from renewable carbon sources using microbial cell factories have been reported. This review outlines recent advances in the bioproduction of porphyrins, phycobilins, and their proteins using microbial cell factories developed by various microbial biotechnology techniques, provides well-organized information on metabolic regulations of the porphyrin metabolism, and then critically discusses challenges and future perspectives. Through these, it is expected to be able to achieve possible solutions and insights and to develop an outstanding platform to be applied to the industry in future research.

SYNGAP1-related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy: Genotypic and phenotypic characteristics and longitudinal insights.

The clinical and genetic characteristics of SYNGAP1 mutations in Korean pediatric patients are not well understood. We retrospectively analyzed 13 individuals with SYNGAP1 mutations from a longitudinal aspect. Clinical data, genetic profiles, and electroencephalography (EEG) patterns were examined. Genotypic analyses included gene panels and whole-exome sequencing. All patients exhibited global developmental delay from early infancy, with motor development eventually reaching independent ambulation by 3 years of age. Language developmental delay varied significantly from nonverbal to simple sentences, which plateaued in all patients. Patients with the best language outcomes typically managed 2-3-word sentences, corresponding to a developmental age of 2-3 years. Epilepsy developed in 77% of patients, with onset consistently following developmental delays at a median age of 31 months. Longitudinal EEG data revealed a shift from occipital to frontal epileptiform discharges with age, suggesting a correlation with synaptic maturation. These findings suggest that the critical developmental plateau occurs between the ages of 2 and 5 years and is potentially influenced by epilepsy. By analyzing longitudinal data, our study contributes to a deeper understanding of SYNGAP1-related DEE, provides potential EEG biomarkers, and underlines the importance of early diagnosis and intervention to address this complex disorder.

Prospective direct comparison of biologic treatments for severe eosinophilic asthma: Findings from the PRISM study.

BACKGROUND: Although various monoclonal antibodies have been used as add-on therapy for severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA), to the best of our knowledge, no direct head-to-head comparative study has evaluated their efficacy. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of reslizumab, mepolizumab, and dupilumab in patients with SEA. METHODS: This was a multicenter, prospective observational study in patients with SEA who had received 1 of these biologic agents for at least 6 months. Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare the risk of the first exacerbation event, adjusting for sputum or blood eosinophils and common asthma-related covariates. The annual exacerbation rate was analyzed using a negative binomial model, and a mixed-effect model was used to analyze changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 second and asthma control test score over time. RESULTS: A total of 141 patients with SEA were included in the analysis; 71 (50%) received dupilumab; 40 (28%) received reslizumab, and 30 (21%) received mepolizumab. During the 12-month follow-up, 27.5%, 43.3%, and 38.0% of patients in the reslizumab, mepolizumab, and dupilumab groups, respectively, experienced at least 1 exacerbation. However, after adjusting for confounding factors, the dupilumab and mepolizumab groups showed similar outcomes in time-to-first exacerbation, exacerbation rate, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and asthma control test score to those of the reslizumab group. CONCLUSION: In patients with SEA, treatment with reslizumab, mepolizumab, and dupilumab resulted in comparable clinical outcomes within a 12-month period. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The cohort protocol was sanctioned by the Institutional Review Board of each study center (clinicaltrial.gov identifier NCT05164939).

Cough Response to High-Dose Inhaled Corticosteroids in Patients with Chronic Cough and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide Levels ≥ 25 ppb: A Prospective Study.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on chronic cough patients with elevated fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels. In a prospective study, adults with chronic cough and FeNO ≥ 25 ppb, without any other apparent etiology, received fluticasone furoate (200 mcg) for three weeks. Outcomes were evaluated using FeNO levels, cough severity, and Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) before and after treatment. Of the fifty participants (average age: 58.4 years; 58% female), the treatment responder rate (≥ 1.3-point increase in LCQ) was 68%, with a significant improvement in cough and LCQ scores and FeNO levels post-treatment. However, improvements in cough did not significantly correlate with changes in FeNO levels. These findings support the guideline recommendations for a short-term ICS trial in adults with chronic cough and elevated FeNO levels, but the lack of correlations between FeNO levels and cough raises questions about their direct mechanistic link.

Predictors of Early and Late Lung Function Improvement in Severe Eosinophilic Asthma on Type2-Biologics in the PRISM Study.

BACKGROUND: The determinants linked to the short- and long-term improvement in lung function in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) on biological treatment (BioT) remain elusive. OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify the predictors of early and late lung function improvement in patients with SEA after BioT. METHODS: 140 adult patients with SEA who received mepolizumab, dupilumab, or reslizumab were followed up for 6 months to evaluate improvement in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). Logistic regression was used to determine the association between potential prognostic factors and improved lung function at 1 and 6 months of treatment. RESULTS: More than a third of patients with SEA using BioT showed early and sustained improvements in FEV1 after 1 month. A significant association was found between low baseline FEV1 and high blood eosinophil count and sustained FEV1 improvement after 1 month (0.54 [0.37-0.79] and 1.88 [1.28-2.97] odds ratios and 95% confidence interval, respectively). Meanwhile, among patients who did not experience FEV1 improvement after 1 month, 39% exhibited improvement at 6 months follow-up. A high ACT score measured at this visit was the most reliable predictor of late response after 6 months of treatment (OR and 95% CI 1.75 [1.09-2.98]). CONCLUSION: Factors predicting the efficacy of biological agents that improve lung function in SEA vary according to the stage of response.

Characterization of Codeine Treatment Responders Among Patients with Refractory or Unexplained Chronic Cough: A Prospective Real-World Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: Codeine is a narcotic antitussive often considered for managing patients with refractory or unexplained chronic cough. This study aimed to evaluate the proportion and characteristics of patients who responded to codeine treatment in real-world practice. METHODS: Data from the Korean Chronic Cough Registry, a multicenter prospective cohort study, were analyzed. Physicians assessed the response to codeine based on the timing and degree of improvement after treatment initiation. Follow-up assessments included the Leicester Cough Questionnaire and cough severity visual analog scale at six months. In a subset of subjects, objective cough frequency was evaluated following the initiation of codeine treatment. RESULTS: Of 305 patients, 124 (40.7%) responded to treatments based on anatomic diagnostic protocols, while 181 (59.3%) remained unexplained or refractory to etiological treatments. Fifty-one subjects (16.7%) were classified as codeine treatment responders (those showing a rapid and clear response), 57 (18.7%) as partial responders, and 62 (20.3%) as non-responders. Codeine responders showed rapid improvement in objective cough frequency and severity scores within a week of the treatment. At 6 months, responders showed significantly improved scores in cough scores, compared to non-responders. Several baseline parameters were associated with a more favorable treatment response, including older age, non-productive cough, and the absence of heartburn. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 60% of chronic cough patients in specialist clinics may require antitussive drugs. While codeine benefits some, only a limited proportion (about 20%) of patients may experience rapid and significant improvement. This underscores the urgent need for new antitussive drugs to address these unmet clinical needs.

Risk of asthma and/or wheezing in obese individuals with or without metabolic syndrome: From the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.

Introduction: Obesity increases the risk of asthma; however, whether metabolic syndrome (MS), with obesity being one of its five components, is also associated with increased asthma risk remains unclear. Objective: To investigate the association between the risk of asthma and obesity, MS, and each component of MS. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 41,480 Korean adults by using data from the 2007-2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Asthma was defined as a history of physician-diagnosed asthma or wheezing sound within the past 12 months. Results: The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for asthma was significantly increased in participants with obesity (OR 1.30 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.27-1.33]; p < 0.0001) and MS (OR 1.23 [95% CI, 1.20-1.25]; p < 0.0001). Obesity and MS showed an additive effect (OR 1.38 [95% CI, 1.34-1.41]; p < 0.001), followed by obesity(+)MS(-) (OR 1.28 [95% CI, 1.25-1.31]; p < 0.001) and obesity(-)MS(+) (OR 1.14 [95% CI, 1.10-1.18]; p < 0.001). Among each metabolic component, only abdominal obesity (OR 1.28 [95% CI, 1.24-1.32]; p < 0.001) and hypertension (OR 1.16 [95% CI, 1.12-1.20]; p < 0.001) significantly increased the risk of asthma. Unlike the female patients (OR 1.39 [95% CI, 1.35-1.43]; p < 0.001), having MS showed a lower risk of asthma in the male patients (OR 0.79 [95% CI, 0.75-0.82]; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The risk of asthma was highest when both obesity and MS were present, followed by obesity alone and MS alone. Abdominal obesity and hypertension were associated with an increased asthma risk, and there was a sex difference that MS lowered the risk of asthma in Korean male patients.

Functional Analysis of Membrane-Associated Scaffolding Tight Junction (TJ) Proteins in Tumorigenic Characteristics of B16-F10 Mouse Melanoma Cells.

Tight junction (TJ) proteins (Tjps), Tjp1 and Tjp2, are tight junction-associated scaffold proteins that bind to the transmembrane proteins of tight junctions and the underlying cytoskeleton. In this study, we first analyzed the tumorigenic characteristics of B16-F10 melanoma cells, including cell proliferation, migration, invasion, metastatic potential, and the expression patterns of related proteins, after the CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockout (KO) of Tjp genes. The proliferation of Tjp1 and Tjp2 KO cells significantly increased in vitro. Other tumorigenic characteristics, including migration and invasion, were significantly enhanced in Tjp1 and Tjp2 KO cells. Zonula occludens (ZO)-associated protein Claudin-1 (CLDN-1), which is a major component of tight junctions and functions in controlling cell-to-cell adhesion, was decreased in Tjp KO cells. Additionally, Tjp KO significantly stimulated tumor growth and metastasis in an in vivo mouse model. We performed a transcriptome analysis using next-generation sequencing (NGS) to elucidate the key genes involved in the mechanisms of action of Tjp1 and Tjp2. Among the various genes affected by Tjp KO-, cell cycle-, cell migration-, angiogenesis-, and cell-cell adhesion-related genes were significantly altered. In particular, we found that the Ninjurin-1 (Ninj1) and Catenin alpha-1 (Ctnna1) genes, which are known to play fundamental roles in Tjps, were significantly downregulated in Tjp KO cells. In summary, tumorigenic characteristics, including cell proliferation, migration, invasion, tumor growth, and metastatic potential, were significantly increased in Tjp1 and Tjp2 KO cells, and the knockout of Tjp genes significantly affected the expression of related proteins.

Inhibition of glutaminase 1 activity reverses airway hyperresponsiveness and decreases IL-1ß+ M1s and IL-17 producing ILC3s in high-fat diet-fed obese mice.

In obesity, disturbed glutamine metabolism contributes to enhanced inflammation by inducing alterations in immune cells. As macrophages and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-related asthma, we tested our hypothesis that altered glutamine metabolism may link obesity to airway hyperresponsivenss (AHR), a cardinal feature of asthma, focusing on these innate immune cells. Four-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 13 wk in the presence or absence of BPTES [Bis-2-(5-phenylacetamido-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)ethyl sulfide, a selective inhibitor of glutaminase 1 which converts glutamine to glutamate] and their blood, lung, and adipose tissues were analyzed. We then conducted in vitro experiments using bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and mouse alveolar macrophage cell line. Furthermore, we investigated plasma glutamine and glutamate levels in obese and nonobese asthmatics. BPTES treatment prevented HFD-induced AHR and significantly decreased IL-1ß+ classically activated macrophages (M1s) and type 3 ILCs (ILC3s) which increased in the lungs of HFD-fed obese mice. In in vitro experiments, BPTES treatment or glutamine supplement significantly reduced the proportion of IL-1ß+NLRP3+ M1s in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BMDMs and mouse alveolar macrophage cell line. BPTES treatment also significantly reduced the IL-17 producing ILC3s differentiated from ILCs in naïve mouse lung. In addition, plasma glutamate/glutamine ratios were significantly higher in obese asthmatics compared to nonobese asthmatics. Inhibition of glutaminolysis reverses AHR in HFD-induced obese mice and decreases IL-1ß + NLRP3+ M1s and IL-17 producing ILC3s, which suggests altered glutamine metabolism may have a role in the pathogenesis of obesity-related AHR.

WITHDRAWN: Prospective direct comparison of biological treatments on severe eosinophilic asthma: Findings from the PRISM study.

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Baseline Cohort Profile of the Korean Chronic Cough Registry: A Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Study.

PURPOSE: The Korean Chronic Cough Registry study was initiated to characterize patients with chronic cough (CC) and investigate their outcomes in real-world clinical practice. This report aims to describe the baseline cohort profile and study protocols. METHODS: This multicenter, prospective observational cohort study included newly referred CC patients and those already being treated for refractory or unexplained chronic cough (RUCC). Cough status was assessed using a visual analog scale, the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), and the Cough Hypersensitivity Questionnaire (CHQ). RESULTS: A total of 610 patients (66.9% women; median age 59.0 years) were recruited from 18 centers, with 176 being RUCC patients (28.9%). The median age at CC onset was 50.1 years, and 94.4% had adult-onset CC (≥ 19 years). The median cough duration was 4 years. Compared to newly referred CC patients, RUCC patients had a longer cough duration (6.0 years vs. 3.0 years) but had fewer symptoms and signs suggesting asthma, rhinosinusitis, or gastroesophageal acid reflux disease. Subjects with RUCC had lower LCQ scores (10.3 ± 3.3 vs. 11.6 ± 3.6; P < 0.001) and higher CHQ scores (9.1 ± 3.9 vs. 8.4 ± 4.1; P = 0.024). There were no marked differences in the characteristics of cough between refractory chronic cough and unexplained chronic cough. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic cough typically develops in adulthood, lasting for years. Cough severity and quality of life impairment indicate the presence of unmet clinical needs and insufficient cough control in real-world clinical practice. Longitudinal follow-up is warranted to investigate the natural history and treatment outcomes.

The Role of Human Endogenous Retrovirus (HERV)-K119 env in THP-1 Monocytic Cell Differentiation.

Human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)-K was reportedly inserted into the human genome millions of years ago and is closely related to various diseases, including cancer and immune regulation. In our previous studies, CRISPR-Cas9-enabled knockout (KO) of the HERV-K env gene was found to potentially reduce cell proliferation, cell migration, and invasion in colorectal and ovarian cancer cell lines. The immune response involves the migration and invasion of cells and is similar to cancer; however, in certain ways, it is completely unlike cancer. Therefore, we induced HERV-K119 env gene KO in THP-1, a monocytic cell that can be differentiated into a macrophage, to investigate the role of HERV-K119 env in immune regulation. Cell migration and invasion were noted to be significantly increased in HERV-K119 env KO THP-1 cells than in MOCK, and these results were contrary to those of cancer cells. To identify the underlying mechanism of HERV-K119 env KO in THP-1 cells, transcriptome analysis and cytokine array analysis were conducted. Semaphorin7A (SEMA7A), which induces the production of cytokines in macrophages and monocytic cells and plays an important role in immune effector cell activation during an inflammatory immune response, was significantly increased in HERV-K119 env KO THP-1 cells. We also found that HERV-K119 env KO THP-1 cells expressed various macrophage-specific surface markers, suggesting that KO of HERV-K119 env triggers the differentiation of THP-1 cells from monocytic cells into macrophages. In addition, analysis of the expression of M1 and M2 macrophage markers showed that M1 macrophage marker cluster of differentiation 32 (CD32) was significantly increased in HERV-K119 env KO cells. These results suggest that HERV-K119 env is implicated in the differentiation of monocytic cells into M1 macrophages and plays important roles in the immune response.

Chiral Supramolecular Multiblock Copolymerization Accompanying Chirality Transfer in Heterostructures via Living Chain Growth.

We report the unique synthesis of chiral supramolecular tri- and penta-BCPs with controllable chirality using kinetically adjusted seeded supramolecular copolymerization in THF and DMSO (99 : 1, v/v). Tetraphenylethylene (d- and l-TPE) derivatives bearing d- and l-alanine side chains formed thermodynamically favored chiral products via a kinetically trapped in monomeric state with a long lag phase. In contrast, achiral TPE-G containing glycine moieties did not form a supramolecular polymer owing to the energy barrier in its kinetically trapped state. We show that the copolymerization of the metastable states of TPE-G not only enables the generation of supramolecular BCPs by the seeded living growth method, but also transfers chirality at the seed ends. This research demonstrates the generation of chiral supramolecular tri- and penta-BCPs with B-A-B, A-B-A-B-A, and C-B-A-B-C block patterns accompanying chirality transfer via seeded living polymerization.

Multicenter Prospective Observational Study to Evaluate the Therapeutic Effect and Safety of a Combination of Montelukast and Levocetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis when Administered to Patients with Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma.

INTRODUCTION: Allergic rhinitis and asthma share a common inflammatory mechanism and are closely related, recognized as "one airway disease." Thus, the guidelines recommend allergic rhinitis and asthma be treated together, and leukotriene antagonists and antihistamines have been administered simultaneously; however, there are few reports of the use of combination drugs so far. METHODS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the treatment effects and adverse events of Monterizine® (a combination of montelukast and levocetirizine); a total of 2,254 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis and asthma were prospectively enrolled from 60 hospitals nationwide in Korea. They were followed up for 3 (Period 1) or 6 months (Period 2). Total nasal symptom score (TNSS), satisfaction, and safety data were collected and compared to baseline. RESULTS: TNSS scores were analyzed for 2,254 subjects. At Period 1 (n = 2,024) and 2 (n = 1,861), the scores decreased significantly from baseline (-1.20 ± 2.49 and -1.63 ± 2.78, p < 0.001). The mean quality of life (QoL) was significantly improved at Period 1 and 2 relative to baseline (-3.75 ± 6.58, -4.83 ± 7.11, both p < 0.0001). There were no serious adverse drug reactions, but there were some minor reactions including nasopharyngitis (2.92%), rhinitis (0.37%), and somnolence (0.34%). CONCLUSIONS: TNSS score and QoL were significantly improved by 3-6 months' treatment with Monterizine without significant adverse reactions. These results indicate that Monterizine, as a combination drug, is effective and safe for improving nasal symptoms and quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis who also have asthma.

Isopropanol biosynthesis from crude glycerol using fatty acid precursors via engineered oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica.

BACKGROUND: Isopropanol is widely used as a biofuel and a disinfectant. Chemical preparation of isopropanol destroys the environment, which makes biological preparation of isopropanol necessary. Previous studies focused on the use of expensive glucose as raw material. Therefore, the microbial cell factory that ferments isopropanol with cheap raw materials will provide a greener way to produce isopropanol. RESULTS: This study converted crude glycerol into isopropanol using Y. lipolytica. As a microbial factory, the active natural lipid and fatty acid synthesis pathway endows Y. lipolytica with high malonyl-CoA production capacity. Acetoacetyl-CoA synthase (nphT7) and isopropanol synthesis genes are integrated into the Y. lipolytica genome. The nphT7 gene uses the accumulated malonyl-CoA to synthesize acetoacetyl-CoA, which increases isopropanol production. After medium optimization, the best glycerol medium was found and resulted in a 4.47-fold increase in isopropanol production. Fermenter cultivation with pure glycerol medium resulted in a maximum isopropanol production of 1.94 g/L. In a crude glycerol fermenter, 1.60 g/L isopropanol was obtained, 82.53% of that achieved with pure glycerol. The engineered Y. lipolytica in this study has the highest isopropanol titer reported. CONCLUSIONS: The engineered Y. lipolytica successfully produced isopropanol by using crude glycerol as a cheap carbon source. This is the first study demonstrating the use of Y. lipolytica as a cell factory to produce isopropanol. In addition, this is also a new attempt to accumulate lipid synthesis precursors to synthesize other useful chemicals by integrating exogenous genes in Y. lipolytica.

Association between obesity and lung function changes by sex and age in adults with asthma.

OBJECTIVE: The lung function changes presenting before and after asthma treatment in obese people remain largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the association between obesity and lung function changes before and after treatment in adults with asthma. METHODS: We enrolled 937 newly diagnosed asthma patients from Cohort for Reality and Evolution of Adult Asthma in Korea cohort in 2015-2017, who performed follow-up spirometry after three months of asthma treatment. The percentage changes (Δ) between the spirometry results before and after treatment were calculated. Patients were categorized into four body mass index (BMI) groups; underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5-22.9), overweight (23.0-24.9), and obese (≥25.0). Association between percent change of pulmonary function and BMI was analyzed according to sex and/or age (< 45 yrs, 45-65 yrs, ≥ 65 yrs), which were statistically corrected for age, sex, smoking status, and medication history. RESULTS: There was no consistent correlation between BMI and each lung function parameter. However, there were significant differences between BMI and ΔFEV1/FVC before and after 3 months of controller treatment. The obese asthmatics showed significantly lower ΔFEV1/FVC (6.0 ± 13.5%) than the underweight (12.6 ± 21.4%, P = 0.044) or normal weight (9.1 ± 14.6%, P = 0.031). Middle-aged women had higher BMI (24.11 ± 3.60 vs. 22.39 ± 3.52) and lower ΔFEV1/FVC (5.7 ± 11.9% vs. 8.9 ± 14.3%, P = 0.012) than young women. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is negatively correlated with the ΔFEV1/FVC before and after controller treatment. Sex and age differentially contribute to lung function changes in response to asthma medications in adult asthmatics, showing a significant decrease in the ΔFEV1/FVC in middle-aged women.

Clusters of Severe Eosinophilic Asthma in a Korean Asthma Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Targeted therapies have broadened the available treatment options for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA). However, differences in the magnitude of treatment responses among patients indicate the presence of various underlying pathophysiological processes and patient subgroups. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe the characteristics of SEA and identify its patient subgroups. METHODS: Clinical data from the Cohort for Reality and Evolution of Adult Asthma in Korea were analyzed. Cluster analysis was performed among those with SEA using 5 variables, namely, prebronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s, body mass index, age at symptom onset, smoking amount, and blood eosinophil counts. RESULTS: Patients with SEA showed prevalent sensitization to aeroallergens, decreased lung function, and poor asthma control status. Cluster analysis revealed 3 distinctive subgroups among patients with SEA. Cluster 1 (n = 177) consisted of patients reporting the lowest blood eosinophils (median, 346.8 cells/µL) and modest severe asthma with preserved lung function during the 12-month treatment period. Cluster 2 (n = 42) predominantly included smoking males with severe persistent airway obstruction and moderate eosinophilia (median, 451.8 cells/µL). Lastly, cluster 3 (n = 95) included patients with the most severe asthma, the highest eosinophil levels (median, 817.5 cells/µL), and good treatment response in terms of improved lung function and control status. CONCLUSIONS: Three subgroups were identified in SEA through the cluster analysis. The distinctive features of each cluster may help physicians predict patients who will respond to biologics with greater magnitude of clinical improvement. Further research regarding the underlying pathophysiology and clinical importance of each subgroup is warranted.

Association of genetic variants of oxidative stress responsive kinase 1 (OXSR1) with asthma exacerbations in non-smoking asthmatics.

BACKGROUND: Asthma exacerbation threatens patient's life. Several genetic studies have been conducted to determine the risk factors for asthma exacerbation, but this information is still lacking. We aimed to determine whether genetic variants of Oxidative Stress Responsive Kinase 1 (OXSR1), a gene with functions of salt transport, immune response, and oxidative stress, are associated with exacerbation of asthma. METHODS: Clinical data were obtained from 1454 asthmatics and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of OXSR1 were genotyped. Genetic associations with annual exacerbation rate were analyzed depending on smoking status. RESULTS: Eleven SNPs were selected using Asian data in the International HapMap database. The common allele of rs1384006 C > T of OXSR1 showed a significantly higher annual exacerbation rate than the rare allele in non-smoking asthmatics (CC vs. CT vs. TT: 0.43 ± 0.04 vs. 0.28 ± 0.03 vs. 0.31 ± 0.09, P = 0.004, Pcorr = 0.039). The frequent exacerbators had a significantly higher frequency of the common allele of rs1384006 C > T than did the infrequent exacerbators (74.4% vs. 55.2%, P = 0.004, Pcorr = 0.038). CONCLUSION: The common allele of rs1384006 C > T of OXSR1 was associated with the asthma exacerbation rate and a higher risk of being a frequent exacerbator, indicating that non-smoking asthmatics who carry common alleles may be vulnerable to asthma exacerbations.

Association Between Clinical Burden and Blood Eosinophil Counts in Asthma: Findings From a Korean Adult Asthma Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Some reports have suggested that the clinical and economic burdens of asthma are associated with blood eosinophil levels. The association between clinical burden and blood eosinophil counts were evaluated in a Korean adult asthma cohort. METHODS: Clinical information including blood eosinophil counts that were not affected by systemic corticosteroids were extracted from the Cohort for Reality and Evolution of Adult Asthma in Korea database. Clinical burden was defined as 1) asthma control status, 2) medication demand and 3) acute exacerbation (AE) events during 1 consecutive year after enrollment. All patients were divided into atopic and non-atopic asthmatics. The associations between asthma outcomes and the blood eosinophil count were evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 302 patients (124 atopic and 178 non-atopic asthmatics) were enrolled. In all asthmatics, the risk of severe AE was higher in patients with blood eosinophil levels < 100 cells/µL than in patients with levels ≥ 100 cells/µL (odds ratio [OR], 5.406; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.266-23.078; adjusted P = 0.023). Among atopic asthmatics, the risk of moderate AE was higher in patients with blood eosinophil levels ≥ 300 cells/µL than in patients with levels < 300 cells/µL (OR, 3.558; 95% CI, 1.083-11.686; adjusted P = 0.036). Among non-atopic asthmatics, the risk of medication of Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) steps 4 or 5 was higher in patients with high blood eosinophil levels than in patients with low blood eosinophil levels at cutoffs of 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 cells/µL. CONCLUSION: The baseline blood eosinophil count may predict the future clinical burden of asthma.