Upregulation of citrullination pathway: From Autoimmune to Idiopathic Lung Fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Increased protein citrullination and peptidylarginine deiminases (PADIs), which catalyze the citrullination process, are central in Rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis and probably involved in the initial steps towards autoimmunity. Approximately, 10% of RA patients develop clinically significantly ILD. A possible shared role of protein citrullination in rheumatoid arthritis associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) pathogenesis remains unclear. METHODS: We evaluated PADI2 and PADI4 mRNA expression in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells of 59 patients with IPF, 27 patients RA-ILD and 10 healthy controls. PADI 2 and 4 expression was analyzed by western blot and immunohistochemistry. Citrullinated protein levels were also quantified. RESULTS: PADI4 mRNA and protein levels were higher in RA-ILD and IPF than controls. Furthermore, PADI4 mRNA levels showed an increase among smokers in RA-ILD. PADI4 expression was detected in granulocytes and macrophages in all groups, with the strongest cytoplasmic expression observed in granulocytes in RA-ILD and IPF. PADI2 mRNA and immunostaining of BAL cells, were similar in all groups among smokers. Overall, stronger staining was observed in current smokers. Citrullinated peptides were significantly increased in IPF compared to RA-ILD and controls. In RA-ILD, protein citrullination strongly correlated with PADI4 expression and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the citrullination pathway is upregulated in IPF and in RA-ILD.

NLRP3 inflammasome expression in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and rheumatoid lung.

In this study we investigated the implication of NLRP3 inflammasomes in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and rheumatoid arthritis-usual interstitial pneumonia (RA-UIP).NLRP3 inflammasome activation at baseline and following stimulation with lipopolysaccharide/ATP was evaluated by measuring interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-18 levels released in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) fluid and by cultures of BALF cells. IL-1ß and IL-18 levels were significantly elevated in the BALF and BALF macrophage cultures from RA-UIP patients, consistent with pre-existing inflammasome activation in these patients. In contrast, in IPF, BALF levels of IL-1ß were significantly less elevated relative to RA-UIP and IL-18 was lower than controls. Furthermore, upon inflammasome stimulation, IPF BALF macrophage cultures failed to upregulate IL-1ß and partly IL-18 secretion, in contrast to controls, which showed robust IL-1ß and IL-18 upregulation. Interestingly, RA-UIP BALF cell cultures treated with lipopolysaccharide/ATP showed a potent stimulation of IL-18 secretion but not IL-1ß, the latter being already elevated in the unstimulated cultures, while examination of the intracellular IL-1ß levels in RA-UIP BALF cells upon NLRP3 inflammasome stimulation showed a significant upregulation of IL-1ß suggesting the NLRP3 pathway could be further activated.Taken together, our results suggest distinct inflammasome activation profiles between autoimmune and idiopathic lung fibrosis.

The Impact of Autoantibodies on Outcomes in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Post-Hoc Analyses of the Phase III ASCEND Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical practice guidelines recommend autoimmune serological testing in patients newly diagnosed with interstitial lung disease of apparently unknown cause who may have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), in order to exclude connective tissue disease (CTD). Autoantibody positivity has been associated with unique patient profiles and prognosis in patients with IPF who otherwise lack a CTD diagnosis. METHODS: This post-hoc analysis of patients with IPF from the Phase III ASCEND trial (NCT01366209) evaluated the association of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) status with baseline disease characteristics, disease progression [percent predicted forced vital capacity (%FVC), forced vital capacity (FVC) volume and progression-free survival (PFS)], and treatment outcomes with pirfenidone and placebo (%FVC, FVC and PFS). RESULTS: Of 555 participants, 244/514 (47.5%) were ANA positive (ANA+), 83/514 (16.1%) had high ANA+ (ANA titre ≥ 1:160 or positive nucleolar- or centromere-staining patterns), 60/555 (10.8%) were RF positive (RF+) and/or anti-CCP positive (anti-CCP+) and 270/514 (52.5%) were autoantibody negative (AAb-). Baseline demographics and characteristics were generally comparable between autoantibody subgroups. Although not statistically significant, more placebo-treated participants with ANA+ or high ANA+ had a decline from baseline to Week 52 of ≥ 10% in %FVC or death (48.7% and 55.9%, respectively) or in FVC volume or death (48.7% and 47.1%, respectively) compared with the AAb- group (%FVC or death: 42.0%; FVC volume or death: 42.0%). The RF+ and/or anti-CCP+ group was similar to AAb-. No differences were observed in PFS. A treatment benefit for pirfenidone versus placebo was observed regardless of autoantibody status [PFS: ANA+ HR (95% CI): 0.56 (0.37 to 0.86), P = 0.007; AAb- HR (95% CI): 0.50 (0.32 to 0.78), P = 0.002]. CONCLUSION: IPF disease course did not differ by autoantibody status in ASCEND. Pirfenidone had a treatment benefit regardless of the presence of ANA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01366209.

People with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis sometimes have abnormal antibodies, called autoantibodies, in their blood. Uncommonly, autoantibodies may mistakenly target the person's own tissues, including the lungs. It is unknown whether these autoantibodies cause idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or make it worse. This analysis looked at data from the ASCEND clinical trial in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, who were split randomly into two groups to receive tablets of either a medicine called pirfenidone or a placebo for 52 weeks. One goal was to see whether people with certain autoantibodies called antinuclear antibodies ('ANA' for short), rheumatoid factor ('RF') and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide ('anti-CCP') had different traits from people without autoantibodies, such as age, race or smoking history. Other goals were to see if autoantibodies affected (1) how well people's lungs worked during the trial, (2) how quickly people's idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis got worse or they died and (3) how well pirfenidone worked. The analysis showed that most traits were similar in people with and without autoantibodies. In people who received placebo, the change in lung function during the trial was not different for people with ANA, RF or anti-CCP compared with people with no autoantibodies. People who received pirfenidone were less likely to have worsening lung function, or die, than people who received placebo, regardless of whether or not they had autoantibodies. Doctors evaluating patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis should consider the impact of autoantibodies and feel confident that pirfenidone is effective regardless of whether or not autoantibodies are present.

Modified blood cell GAP model as a prognostic biomarker in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: The Gender, Age and Physiology (GAP) model is a simple mortality prediction tool in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis that uses demographic and physiological variables available at initial evaluation. White blood cell variables may have associations with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis outcomes. We evaluated whether incorporating blood cell counts in modified GAP (cGAP) models would improve outcome prediction in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Patients and methods: This retrospective analysis included pooled data from phase 3 randomised trials of pirfenidone in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (ASCEND, CAPACITY 004, CAPACITY 006). Study outcomes (disease progression, all-cause mortality, all-cause hospitalisation, respiratory-related hospitalisation) were evaluated during the initial 1-year period. Shared frailty models were used to evaluate associations between continuous and categorical baseline white and red blood cell parameters and study outcomes in a bivariate context, and to evaluate the impact of adding continuous monocyte count (cGAP1) or white and red blood cell parameters (cGAP2) to traditional GAP variables in a multivariable context based on C-statistics changes. Results: Data were pooled from 1247 patients (pirfenidone, n=623; placebo, n=624). Significant associations (bivariate analyses) were idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis progression with neutrophil and eosinophil counts; all-cause mortality with monocyte and neutrophil counts; all-cause hospitalisation with monocyte count, neutrophil count and haemoglobin level; and respiratory-related hospitalisation with monocyte count, neutrophil count and haemoglobin level. In multivariate analyses, C-statistics were highest for the cGAP2 model for each of the outcomes. Conclusion: Modified GAP models incorporating monocyte counts alone or plus other white and red blood cell variables may be useful to improve prediction of outcomes in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Efficacy and Safety of Pirfenidone in Advanced Versus Non-Advanced Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Post-Hoc Analysis of Six Clinical Studies.

INTRODUCTION: In the European Union (EU), the indication for the antifibrotic pirfenidone prior to April 2023 did not include patients with advanced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This analysis compared the efficacy and safety of pirfenidone in advanced IPF versus non-advanced IPF. METHODS: Data were included from the following studies of pirfenidone: ASCEND (NCT01366209); CAPACITY (004 [NCT00287716] and 006 [NCT00287729]); RECAP (NCT00662038; advanced IPF defined as percent predicted forced vital capacity [%FVC] < 50% and/or percent predicted carbon monoxide diffusing capacity [%DLco] < 35% at baseline); PASSPORT (NCT02699879; advanced IPF defined as baseline %FVC < 50%); and SP-IPF (NCT02951429; patients with advanced IPF [defined as %DLco ≤ 40% at screening] at risk of group 3 pulmonary hypertension). RESULTS: In the pooled ASCEND/CAPACITY studies, the annual mean rate of FVC decline from baseline to Week 52 was significantly lower for pirfenidone versus placebo in advanced (p = 0.0035) and non-advanced IPF (p = 0.0001). Rate of all-cause mortality over 52 weeks was numerically lower for pirfenidone versus placebo in advanced and non-advanced IPF. In RECAP, the mean annual rate of FVC decline from baseline to Week 180 of pirfenidone treatment was similar in patients with advanced (- 141.5 mL) and non-advanced IPF (- 153.5 mL). In SP-IPF, the mean annual rate of FVC decline and rate of all-cause mortality from baseline to Week 52 in patients treated with placebo + pirfenidone were - 93.0 mL and 20.2%, respectively. No new safety signals were identified, and the safety profile of pirfenidone in patients with advanced IPF was generally consistent with that of non-advanced IPF. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the benefit of pirfenidone treatment in patients with advanced and non-advanced IPF. As such, the indication for pirfenidone in the EU has now been updated to include the treatment of adult patients with advanced IPF. TRIAL REGISTRATIONS: ASCEND (NCT01366209), CAPACITY 004 (NCT00287716), CAPACITY 006 (NCT00287729), RECAP (NCT00662038), PASSPORT (NCT02699879), and SP-IPF (NCT02951429).

Long-term omalizumab treatment in severe allergic asthma: the South-Eastern Mediterranean "real-life" experience.

BACKGROUND: Omalizumab is a recombinant humanized anti-IgE monoclonal antibody indicated as an add-on treatment for severe allergic asthma, inadequately controlled despite high dose of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting b2-agonists. OBJECTIVES: Medical registries were used to evaluate the 4 months, 1 and 4 years effectiveness of omalizumab treatment, in a non-interventional, observational "real-life" study. METHODS: Sixty patients with severe persistent allergic asthma from 5 South-Eastern Mediterranean centres from Crete and Cyprus were evaluated. Effectiveness outcomes included spirometry, severe asthma exacerbations rate, level of asthma control (ACT), and additional asthma medication (inhaled steroids). RESULTS: Outcome variables improved after 4 months and sustained after 1 and 4 years treatment with Omalizumab. FEV1 improved statistically significant at all time points versus baseline [ΔFEV1 (% pred.) = +21 p = 0.008 at 4 months, ΔFEV1 (% pred.) = +24.5 p < 0.0001 at 4 years after treatment]. Similarly, FVC increased statistically significant versus baseline [ΔFVC (% pred.) = +20 p = 0.002 at 4 months, ΔFVC (% pred.) = +22.6 p = 0.0002 at 4 years]. The level of asthma control as evaluated by ACT was significantly improved after treatment (+12% p = 0.001 at 4 months, +24% p < 0.0001 at 4 years). Omalizumab treatment reduced significantly asthma exacerbations rate (-65% p = 0.0002 at 1 year, and -70% p < 0.0001 at 4 years). The use of inhaled steroids decreased statistically significant after 4 months (p = 0.017), 1 year (p = 0.029) and 4 years (p = 0.014) of omalizumab treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This long-term "real-life" study demonstrated significant improvement in lung function and other clinical outcomes after omalizumab treatment, evident at 4 months, and sustained after 1 and 4 years suggesting its efficacy in severe allergic asthma, in the "real-life" practice.

Expression analysis of Akt and MAPK signaling pathways in lung tissue of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Several studies in patients with lung cancer have shown that epidermal growth factor receptor regulates various tumorigenic processes through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin and Ras/Raf/Mek/Erk (mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)) signalling pathways. The aim of our study is to evaluate whether these pathways are implicated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and to seek indirect evidence of a common pathogenetic pathway with lung cancer. m-RNA expression of oncogenes participating in these two signaling pathways, as well as the combined m-RNA expression of the suppressor genes R-kip and p53 in lung tissue of patients with IPF were evaluated. BASIC PROCEDURES: The study population was composed by two distinct groups. Patients with IPF (n = 25) and control subjects who underwent thoracic surgery for reasons other than interstitial lung disease (n = 10). Expression analysis of the aforementioned oncogenes and suppressor genes was performed using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. MAIN FINDINGS: We found no difference in the overall m- RNA expression between controls and IPF in both investigated pathways. However, Braf has been overexpressed in IPF samples (P = 0.01) in contrast with K-ras that has been found downregulated (P < 0.001) in comparison with controls. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: These findings cannot exclude the hypothesis of involvement of Akt and MAPK signalling pathways in pathogenesis of IPF. However, further investigation is needed in order to verify these data.

Somatic DNA alterations in lung epithelial barrier cells in COPD patients.

BACKGROUND: Instability of the Microsatellite DNA Instability (MSI) and Loss of Heterozygosity (LOH) have been previously detected in sputum cells of COPD patients. However, the particular cell subpopulation exhibiting genetic instability in COPD was uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine which cell type expresses Microsatellite DNA Instability in sputum and BALF samples from COPD patients. METHODS: Thirty-five COPD patients and 30 non-COPD smokers were studied. Sputum was induced from 20 COPD patients and 20 non-COPD smokers and BALF was obtained from 15 COPD patients and 10 non-COPD smokers. The sputum cell pellet and BALF samples were processed using immunomagnetic technology to separate antibody-specific cell subpopulations, using CD45+ for leukocytes, Epithelial enrich (MACS) for sputum epithelial cells and HEA-human epithelial antigen-(Dynal) for BAL epithelial cells. Microsatellite DNA amplification was performed using specific primers, namely G29802, D6S2223, D6S344, D6S263, D5S207, D13S71, RH70958, and D17S250. The presence of MSI and/or LOH was analyzed with LI-COR Saga GT Microsatellite Analysis Software. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: None of the non-COPD smokers exhibited any genetic alteration. MSI and LOH were found in 15 cases (8 MSI and 7 LOH) in sputum and BAL samples. MSI and/or LOH were revealed only in the epithelial barrier cells. LOH was detected in D5S207, D6S344, G29802 and D17S250 microsatellite markers, while MSI in D13S71, D5S207 and D6S344. The entire leukocyte subpopulation exhibited no genetic alteration. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the hypothesis that chronic inflammation and oxidative burden in COPD can lead to DNA damage of the lung epithelial barrier cells, detected at the Microsatellite DNA level. Further studies are required to investigate the significance of these findings in the pathogenesis of COPD.

Pirfenidone in patients with unclassifiable progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: At present, no approved pharmacotherapies are available for unclassifiable interstitial lung disease (ILD), which is characterised by progressive fibrosis of the lung. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of pirfenidone in patients with progressive fibrosing unclassifiable ILD. METHODS: We did a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial at 70 centres in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and the UK. Eligible patients (aged ≥18-85 years) had progressive fibrosing unclassifiable ILD, a percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) of 45% or higher and percent predicted carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco) of 30% or higher, more than 10% fibrosis on high-resolution CT, and a high-resolution CT from the previous 12 months. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to 2403 mg oral pirfenidone daily or placebo using a central validated interactive voice or web-based response system, stratified by concomitant mycophenolate mofetil use and presence or absence of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features. Investigators, site personnel, and patients were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was mean predicted change in FVC from baseline over 24 weeks, measured by daily home spirometry. Secondary endpoints were change in FVC measured by site spirometry, proportion of patients who had a more than 5% or more than 10% absolute or relative decline in percent predicted FVC measured by clinic-based spirometry, change in percent predicted DLco, change in 6-min walk distance (6MWD), change in University of California San Diego-Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (UCSD-SOBQ) score, change in Leicester Cough Questionnaire score, change in cough visual analogue scale, and changes in total and subscores of the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), all of which were compared with baseline. Additional secondary endpoints included proportion of patients who had non-elective hospitalisation (respiratory and all-cause) and acute exacerbations, and progression-free survival. Efficacy was analysed in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population, which included all randomly assigned patients. Safety was assessed in the safety analysis set, which included all randomly assigned patients who received at least one dose of study drug. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03099187, and is no longer recruiting. FINDINGS: Between May 15, 2017, and June 5, 2018, 253 patients were randomly assigned to receive 2403 mg pirfenidone (n=127) or placebo (n=126) and were included in the ITT analysis set. Analysis of the primary endpoint was affected by intraindividual variability in home spirometry values, which prevented application of the prespecified statistical model. Over 24 weeks, predicted median change in FVC measured by home spirometry was -87·7 mL (Q1-Q3 -338·1 to 148·6) in the pirfenidone group versus -157·1 mL (-370·9 to 70·1) in the placebo group. Over 24 weeks, predicted mean change in FVC measured by site spirometry was lower in patients given pirfenidone than placebo (treatment difference 95·3 mL [95% CI 35·9 to 154·6], p=0·002). Compared with the placebo group, patients in the pirfenidone group were less likely to have a decline in FVC of more than 5% (odds ratio [OR] 0·42 [95% CI 0·25 to 0·69], p=0·001) or more than 10% (OR 0·44 [0·23 to 0·84], p=0·011). At week 24, mean change in DLco from baseline was -0·7% (SD 7·1) for the pirfenidone group and -2·5% (8·8) for the placebo group, and mean change in 6MWD from baseline was -2·0 m (68·1) for the pirfenidone group and -26·7 m (79·3) for the placebo group. Changes from baseline in UCSD-SOBQ, Leicester Cough Questionnaire score, cough visual analogue scale, and SGRQ scores were similar between the pirfenidone and placebo groups at week 24. Analysis of acute exacerbations, hospital admissions, and time to death from respiratory causes during the study yielded no meaningful results due to a small number of events. No differences in progression-free survival were identified between the pirfenidone and placebo groups, irrespective of the definition of progression-free survival used. Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported in 120 (94%) of 127 patients in the pirfenidone group and 101 (81%) of 124 patients in the placebo group. Serious treatment-emergent adverse events were reported in 18 (14%) patients in the pirfenidone group and 20 (16%) patients in the placebo group. The most common treatment-related treatment-emergent adverse events were gastrointestinal disorders (60 [47%] in the pirfenidone group vs 32 [26%] in the placebo group), fatigue (16 [13%] vs 12 [10%]), and rash (13 [10%] vs nine [7%]). INTERPRETATION: Although the planned statistical model could not be applied to the primary endpoint data, analysis of key secondary endpoints suggests that patients with progressive fibrosing unclassifiable ILD could benefit from pirfenidone treatment, which has an acceptable safety and tolerability profile. These findings support further investigation of pirfenidone as an effective treatment for patients with progressive fibrotic unclassifiable ILD. FUNDING: F Hoffmann-La Roche.

Different activity of the biological axis VEGF-Flt-1 (fms-like tyrosine kinase 1) and CXC chemokines between pulmonary sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a bronchoalveolar lavage study.

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown a different local and systemic angiogenic profile of CXC chemokines in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) patients compared to sarcoidosis. In particular, sarcoidosis showed an angiostatic microenvironment, as compared with the angiogenic cytokine milieu seen in IPF. Purpose of the Study. Our aim was to further investigate the aforementioned finding by measuring the expression of different chemokines in granulomatous and fibrotic diseases. We estimated the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its high-affinity receptor, Flt-1 (fms-like tyrosine kinase 1), in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with IPF and pulmonary sarcoidosis. We have also investigated the mRNA expression of angiogenetic chemokines' receptors such as CXCR2 and CXCR3 and the biological axis of stromal derived factor-1 alpha (SDF-1 alpha or CXCL12 alpha/CXCL12 beta) and receptor, CXCR4. METHODS: We studied prospectively three groups of patients: (i) one group of 18 patients with IPF, (ii) one group of 16 patients with sarcoidosis, and (iii) 10 normal subjects. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase has been detected in VEGF mRNA expression in IPF in comparison with pulmonary sarcoidosis (P = .03). In addition, a significant increase has been measured in CXCL12 alpha in sarcoidosis in comparison to IPF (P = .02). Moreover, a statistically significant decrease has been found in Flt-1 protein levels in pulmonary sarcoidosis in comparison with IPF (P = .03). A significant increase in VEGF (P = .03) and CXCR4 (P = .03) mRNA levels has been also detected in sarcoidosis' patients when compared with healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that increased expression of Flt-1 and downregulation of CXCL12 alpha in IPF may further support the hypothesis of a different angiogenetic profile between fibrotic and granulomatous diseases. However, further studies are needed in order to better investigate these enigmatic diseases.

Induced sputum in interstitial lung diseases: novel insights in the diagnosis, evaluation and research.

The search for noninvasive procedures of retrieving cells and soluble material from the lung has gained momentum over the past few years. Induced sputum (IS) by inhalation of hypertonic saline solution is a noninvasive technique used to collect cellular and soluble material from lung airways. During the past decade, this method has been widely used to assess airway inflammation in asthma and chronic obstructive disease, since it produces reliable results and compares favorably to other invasive techniques, such as biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. However, recent attention has been paid to its efficacy in the evaluation of interstitial lung diseases. Recent research in this area clearly showed that IS analysis could give extensive information regarding the inflammation in pulmonary sarcoidosis, such as the lymphocytic cell count, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio and the Th1 immunologic response. The CD4+/CD8+ ratio recovered from lymphocytes from IS is as useful as the same value retrieved from examination of lymphocytes recovered from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for clinical use. The above findings suggest that integrating IS procedure in the diagnosis, evaluation, follow-up and research in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis is necessary. Besides sarcoidosis, the review of the current literature in other interstitial lung diseases showed that IS could provide us with useful information regarding inflammatory molecules, but cannot fully replace more invasive techniques. This review analyzes the applications of IS in the assessment of fibrotic and granulomatous diseases such as sarcoidosis and extrinsic allergic alveolitis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, connective tissue disorders, occupational lung diseases and other systemic diseases.

Molecular pathways and genetic factors in the pathogenesis of laryngopharyngeal reflux.

The prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) has been constantly rising in the western world and affects today an alarmingly high percentage of the general population. Even though LPR and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are both the product of gastroesophageal reflux and seem to be sibling disorders, they constitute largely different pathological entities. While GERD has been for a long time identified as a source of esophageal disease, LPR has only recently been associated with head and neck disorders. Despite the high incidence of LPR and its great impact on patients' quality of life, little is known regarding its pathogenesis. On the other hand, studying the molecular and genetic basis of a disease is of fundamental importance in medicine as it offers better insight into the pathogenesis and opens new, disease-specific therapeutic trends. The aim of this study is to enlighten any known or suspected molecular mechanisms that contribute to the pathogenesis of LPR, and to suggest new trends for future research.

NLRP3/Caspase-1 inflammasome activation is decreased in alveolar macrophages in patients with lung cancer.

Lung cancer (LC) remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The interaction of cancer cells with their microenvironment, results in tumor escape or elimination. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) play a significant role in lung immunoregulation, however their role in LC has been outshined by the study of tumor associated macrophages. Inflammasomes are key components of innate immune responses and can exert either tumor-suppressive or oncogenic functions, while their role in lung cancer is largely unknown. We thus investigated the NLRP3 pathway in Bronchoalveolar Lavage derived alveolar macrophages and peripheral blood leukocytes from patients with primary lung cancer and healthy individuals. IL-1ß and IL-18 secretion was significantly higher in unstimulated peripheral blood leukocytes from LC patients, while IL-1ß secretion could be further increased upon NLRP3 stimulation. In contrast, in LC AMs, we observed a different profile of IL-1ß secretion, characterized mainly by the impairment of IL-1ß production in NLRP3 stimulated cells. AMs also exhibited an impaired TLR4/LPS pathway as shown by the reduced induction of IL-6 and TNF-α. Our results support the hypothesis of tumour induced immunosuppression in the lung microenvironment and may provide novel targets for cancer immunotherapy.

Microsatellite DNA instability in nasal cytology of COPD patients.

Genetic alterations in the microsatellite DNA level have been successfully detected in sputum samples of patients with COPD and have been shown to be disease specific. Furthermore, previous studies have shown that inflammation coexists in the nasal mucosa of patients with COPD. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of MSI in nasal cytological samples of patients with COPD comparing the results with sputum samples of the same individuals. Nasal brush samples, sputum samples obtained by induction, and peripheral blood from 20 patients with COPD were analyzed. DNA was extracted and analyzed for MSI using the following microsatellite markers: RH70958, D5S207, D6S344, D6S263, G29802, D13S71, D14S588, D14S292 and D17S250. Microsatellite analysis was also performed in 8 healthy non-smokers. MSI was detected in the sputum samples of 7 patients with COPD (35%). In contrast, no microsatellite DNA instability was noted in the nasal cytological samples of the same COPD patients. In addition, no genetic alteration was detected in the control group. These results suggest that MSI is a specific finding for the target organ of COPD, i.e. the lungs, despite the fact that inflammation coexists in the nasal mucosa of COPD patients. Our study supports the hypothesis that MSI could be an index of the somatic-acquired genetic alterations in the lungs of COPD patients.

Microsatellite DNA instability in benign lung diseases.

Recently DNA mismatch repair system (MMR) has been extensively investigated in molecular medicine. Microsatellite (MS) DNA alterations are considered as indicating an ineffective MMR system. MS loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability (MSI) have been reported in a number of human malignancies. LOH and MSI have recently been detected in benign diseases, such as actinic keratosis, pterygium and atherosclerosis. In addition, MSI and LOH have been detected in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This is a review of MSI in benign lung diseases. It is concluded that detecting genetic alterations at the MS DNA level could be a useful technique to identify locus of potential altered genes that may play a key role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. In addition, MSI and LOH could be used as a genetic screening tool in molecular epidemiology.

Profile of endocrinological derangements affecting PSA values in patients with COPD.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Chronic obstractive pulmonary disease (COPD) in men has been associated with testosterone deficiency, known as the late-onset hypogonadism. Prostate cancer becomes more prevalent when testosterone values decline in males. We sought to determine endocrinological derangements that may affect PSA values in male patients with COPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 69 male patients with COPD and 82 healthy volunteers were divided into subgroups according to: their age: (i) ≤60 years and (ii) >60 years; or disease severity: (i) FEV1<50% and (ii) FEV1≥50% predicted. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in total and free testosterone in patients with COPD. Patients with COPD aged >60 years had significantly lower free PSA compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Alterations of the male hormonal status in COPD are related with older age (>60 years) and poorer lung function (FEV1<50% predicted). This may have implications for the use of the PSA-based screening tests in the elderly male population with COPD.

A patient presenting with bilateral lung lesions, pleural effusion, and proteinuria.

Diagnosis and management of a systemic vasculitis are among the most demanding challenges in clinical medicine. A patient with a past history of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia presents with new bilateral lung lesions, unilateral pleural effusion, and significant proteinuria. The patient tested p-ANCA and anti-MPO positive but c-ANCA negative. A diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis GPA was reached after performing both renal and lung biopsies. Step-by-step differential diagnosis and management are discussed.

Expression profiles of Toll-like receptors in non-small cell lung cancer and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have a higher incidence of lung cancer. The role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a key component of the innate immunity, in interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) and lung cancer pathogenesis is not clarified. TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9 mRNA expression was quantitatively measured by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of 16 IPF patients, 16 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and 9 control subjects. TLR2, TLR3, TLR4 and TLR9 protein expression was assessed on BALF T-lymphocytes using flow cytometry. TLR3 mRNA expression was significantly higher in NSCLC compared to IPF (p=0.023) and controls (p=0.001). TLR7 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in both NSCLC and IPF groups compared to controls (p=0.029, p=0.009). TLR9 expression at the mRNA level was significantly higher in both NSCLC and IPF groups compared to controls (p=0.01, p=0.001). Finally, TLR2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in IPF patients compared to controls (p=0.042). Flow cytometry revealed decreased TLR3 and TLR9 expression in IPF patients compared to the NSCLC group (p=0.02, p=0.014) and decreased TLR9 expression in IPF compared with the controls (p=0.04). TLR2 protein expression was significantly higher in IPF patients compared to NSCLC (p=0.04). Increased expression of endosomal TLRs in NSCLC patients and elevated expression of TLR2 in pulmonary fibrosis are the main results of this study. These results do not provide support for a common TLR pathway hypothesis between NSCLC and IPF.

Investigation of angiogenetic pathways in nasal polyposis.

Tissue angiogenesis is a complex phenomenon that results in the growth of new blood vessels from the microcirculation. This process has been known to play a crucial role in tumor growth as well as several benign diseases. The aim of this study was to assess mRNA expression of various angiogenic factors and chemokines in nasal polyps and compare the results to normal nasal mucosa. mRNA expression was measured using real-time RT-PCR for the following angiogenic factors and chemokines: VEGF, VEGFR-1, Ang-1, Ang-2, Tie-2A, Tie-2B, SDF-1α, SDF-1ß, CXCR4 and YY1. Biopsy specimens from nasal polyps in the polyposis group and middle turbinates in the control group were studied. A total of 18 nasal polyposis patients were studied and compared to 10 control subjects. Results showed VEGF, VEGFR-1, Ang-1, Ang-2, Tie-2A, Tie-2B, SDF-1α and SDF-1ß mRNA expression to be significantly higher in nasal polyposis patients compared to the control group (p<0.05). The findings of this study support the role of angiogenic growth factors in the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis. Further studies are required to confirm these results and evaluate potential clinical implications.

Oxidative DNA damage and somatic mutations: a link to the molecular pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory airway diseases.

BACKGROUND: Acquired somatic mutations induced by oxidative stress may contribute to the molecular pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory airway diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the intensity of oxidative DNA damage and the presence of microsatellite DNA instability (MSI), a marker of acquired somatic mutations, in patients with COPD, patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, and control subjects. METHODS: Induced sputum and peripheral blood from 97 subjects were analyzed; 36 patients with COPD, 36 patients with bronchiectasis, 15 smokers without COPD, and 10 healthy control subjects. DNA was extracted and analyzed for MSI. 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a specific marker of oxidant-induced DNA damage, was measured in serum and sputum supernatants. RESULTS: None of the patients with bronchiectasis or control subjects (non-COPD smokers, healthy subjects) exhibited any genetic alteration. In contrast, MSI was found in 38% of COPD specimens. Sputum 8-OHdG was statistically significantly increased in COPD when compared with subjects with bronchiectasis (P = .0002), smokers without COPD (P = .0056), and healthy subjects (P = .0003). Sputum 8-OHdG in MSI-positive patients with COPD differed significantly from that of MSI-negative patients with COPD (P = .04) and smokers without COPD (P = .008), but was not statistically different (P = .07) among MSI-negative patients with COPD and smokers without COPD. Serum 8-OHdG was significantly increased in MSI-positive compared with MSI-negative patients with COPD (P = .001), but was not statistically significant in smokers without COPD (P = .09). Serum 8-OHdG was increased in smokers without COPD compared with MSI-negative patients with COPD (P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: There is a clear disparity in COPD regarding oxidant-induced DNA damage and somatic mutations. This may reflect a difference in the oxidative stress per se or a deficient antioxidant and/or repair capacity in the lungs of patients with COPD.