Pharmacology of Heparin and Related Drugs: An Update.

Heparin has been used extensively as an antithrombotic and anticoagulant for close to 100 years. This anticoagulant activity is attributed mainly to the pentasaccharide sequence, which potentiates the inhibitory action of antithrombin, a major inhibitor of the coagulation cascade. More recently it has been elucidated that heparin exhibits anti-inflammatory effect via interference of the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps and this may also contribute to heparin's antithrombotic activity. This illustrates that heparin interacts with a broad range of biomolecules, exerting both anticoagulant and nonanticoagulant actions. Since our previous review, there has been an increased interest in these nonanticoagulant effects of heparin, with the beneficial role in patients infected with SARS2-coronavirus a highly topical example. This article provides an update on our previous review with more recent developments and observations made for these novel uses of heparin and an overview of the development status of heparin-based drugs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This state-of-the-art review covers recent developments in the use of heparin and heparin-like materials as anticoagulant, now including immunothrombosis observations, and as nonanticoagulant including a role in the treatment of SARS-coronavirus and inflammatory conditions.

An Update on Outcomes for COPD Pharmacological Trials: A COPD Investigators Report - Reassessment of the 2008 American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society Statement on Outcomes for COPD Pharmacological Trials.

Background: In 2008, a dedicated American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society task force published a paper on the possible use and limitations of clinical outcomes and biomarkers to evaluate the impact of pharmacological therapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Since then, our scientific understanding of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has increased considerably; there has been a progressive shift from a one-size-fits-all diagnostic and therapeutic approach to a personalized approach; and many new treatments currently in development will require new endpoints to evaluate their efficacy adequately. Objectives: The emergence of several new relevant outcome measures motivated the authors to review advances in the field and highlight the need to update the content of the original report. Methods: The authors separately created search strategies for the literature, primarily based on their opinions and assessments supported by carefully chosen references. No centralized examination of the literature or uniform criteria for including or excluding evidence were used. Measurements and Main Results: Endpoints, outcomes, and biomarkers have been revisited. The limitations of some of those reported in the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society task force document have been highlighted. In addition, new tools that may be useful, especially in evaluating personalized therapy, have been described. Conclusions: Because the "label-free" treatable traits approach is becoming an important step toward precision medicine, future clinical trials should focus on highly prevalent treatable traits, and this will influence the choice of outcomes and markers to be considered. The use of the new tools, particularly combination endpoints, could help better identify the right patients to be treated with the new drugs.

Nonantimicrobial Actions of Macrolides: Overview and Perspectives for Future Development.

Macrolides are among the most widely prescribed broad spectrum antibacterials, particularly for respiratory infections. It is now recognized that these drugs, in particular azithromycin, also exert time-dependent immunomodulatory actions that contribute to their therapeutic benefit in both infectious and other chronic inflammatory diseases. Their increased chronic use in airway inflammation and, more recently, of azithromycin in COVID-19, however, has led to a rise in bacterial resistance. An additional crucial aspect of chronic airway inflammation, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as other inflammatory disorders, is the loss of epithelial barrier protection against pathogens and pollutants. In recent years, azithromycin has been shown with time to enhance the barrier properties of airway epithelial cells, an action that makes an important contribution to its therapeutic efficacy. In this article, we review the background and evidence for various immunomodulatory and time-dependent actions of macrolides on inflammatory processes and on the epithelium and highlight novel nonantibacterial macrolides that are being studied for immunomodulatory and barrier-strengthening properties to circumvent the risk of bacterial resistance that occurs with macrolide antibacterials. We also briefly review the clinical effects of macrolides in respiratory and other inflammatory diseases associated with epithelial injury and propose that the beneficial epithelial effects of nonantibacterial azithromycin derivatives in chronic inflammation, even given prophylactically, are likely to gain increasing attention in the future. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Based on its immunomodulatory properties and ability to enhance the protective role of the lung epithelium against pathogens, azithromycin has proven superior to other macrolides in treating chronic respiratory inflammation. A nonantibiotic azithromycin derivative is likely to offer prophylactic benefits against inflammation and epithelial damage of differing causes while preserving the use of macrolides as antibiotics.

Revisiting asthma pharmacotherapy: where do we stand and where do we want to go?

Several current guidelines/strategies outline a treatment approach to asthma, which primarily consider the goals of improving lung function and quality of life and reducing symptoms and exacerbations. They suggest a strategy of stepping up or down treatment, depending on the patient's overall current asthma symptom control and future risk of exacerbation. While this stepwise approach is undeniably practical for daily practice, it does not always address the underlying mechanisms of this heterogeneous disease. In the last decade, there have been attempts to improve the treatment of severe asthma, such as the addition of a long-acting antimuscarinic agent to the traditional inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting ß2-agonist treatment and the introduction of therapies targeting key cytokines. However, despite such strategies several unmet needs in this population remain, motivating research to identify novel targets and develop improved therapeutic and/or preventative asthma treatments. Pending the availability of such therapies, it is essential to re-evaluate the current conventional "one-size-fits-all" approach to a more precise asthma management. Although challenging, identifying "treatable traits" that contribute to respiratory symptoms in individual patients with asthma may allow a more pragmatic approach to establish more personalised therapeutic goals.

Use of thiols and implications for the use of inhaled corticosteroids in the presence of oxidative stress in COPD.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress and persistent airway inflammation are thought to be important contributors to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This review summarizes the evidence for targeting oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with COPD with mucolytic/antioxidant thiols and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), either alone or in combination. MAIN BODY: Oxidative stress is increased in COPD, particularly during acute exacerbations. It can be triggered by oxidant air pollutants and cigarette smoke and/or by endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) released from mitochondria and activated inflammatory, immune and epithelial cells in the airways, together with a reduction in endogenous antioxidants such as glutathione (GSH). Oxidative stress also drives chronic inflammation and disease progression in the airways by activating intracellular signalling pathways and the release of further inflammatory mediators. ICS are anti-inflammatory agents currently recommended for use with long-acting bronchodilators to prevent exacerbations in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD, especially those with eosinophilic airway inflammation. However, corticosteroids can also increase oxidative stress, which may in turn reduce corticosteroid sensitivity in patients by several mechanisms. Thiol-based agents such as erdosteine, N-acetyl L-cysteine (NAC) and S-carboxymethylcysteine (S-CMC) are mucolytic agents that also act as antioxidants. These agents may reduce oxidative stress directly through the free sulfhydryl groups, serving as a source of reducing equivalents and indirectly though intracellular GSH replenishment. Few studies have compared the effects of corticosteroids and thiol agents on oxidative stress, but there is some evidence for greater antioxidant effects when they are administered together. The current Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) report supports treatment with antioxidants (erdosteine, NAC, S-CMC) in addition to standard-of-care therapy as they have been demonstrated to reduce COPD exacerbations. However, such studies have demonstrated that NAC and S-CMC reduced the exacerbation risk only in patients not treated with ICS, whereas erdosteine reduced COPD exacerbations irrespective of concomitant ICS use suggesting that erdosteine has additional pharmacological actions to ICS. CONCLUSIONS: Further clinical trials of antioxidant agents with and without ICS are needed to better understand the place of thiol-based drugs in the treatment of patients with COPD.

Platelets Independently Recruit into Asthmatic Lungs and Models of Allergic Inflammation via CCR3.

Platelet activation and pulmonary recruitment occur in patients with asthma and in animal models of allergic asthma, in which leukocyte infiltration, airway remodeling, and hyperresponsiveness are suppressed by experimental platelet depletion. These observations suggest the importance of platelets to various characteristics of allergic disease, but the mechanisms of platelet migration and location are not understood. The aim of this study was to assess the mechanism of platelet recruitment to extravascular compartments of lungs from patients with asthma and after allergen challenge in mice sensitized to house dust mite (HDM) extract (contains the DerP1 [Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract peptidase 1] allergen); in addition, we assessed the role of chemokines in this process. Lung sections were immunohistochemically stained for CD42b+ platelets. Intravital microscopy in allergic mice was used to visualize platelets tagged with an anti-mouse CD49b-PE (phycoerythrin) antibody. Platelet-endothelial interactions were measured in response to HDM (DerP1) exposure in the presence of antagonists to CCR3, CCR4, and CXCR4. Extravascular CD42b+ platelets were detected in the epithelium and submucosa in bronchial biopsy specimens taken from subjects with steroid-naive mild asthma. Platelets were significantly raised in the lung parenchyma from patients with fatal asthma compared with postmortem control-lung tissue. Furthermore, in DerP1-sensitized mice, subsequent HDM exposure induced endothelial rolling, endothelial adhesion, and recruitment of platelets into airway walls, compared with sham-sensitized mice, via a CCR3-dependent mechanism in the absence of aggregation or interactions with leukocytes. Localization of singular, nonaggregated platelets occurs in lungs of patients with asthma. In allergic mice, platelet recruitment occurs via recognized vascular adhesive and migratory events, independently of leukocytes via a CCR3-dependent mechanism.

A peptide derived from chaperonin 60.1, IRL201104, inhibits LPS-induced acute lung inflammation.

Chaperonin 60.1 (Cpn60.1) is a protein derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis that has been shown, along with its peptide fragment IRL201104, to have beneficial effects in models of allergic inflammation. To further investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of Cpn60.1 and IRL201104, we have investigated these molecules in a model of nonallergic lung inflammation. Mice were treated with Cpn60.1 (0.5-5,000 ng/kg) or IRL201104 (0.00025-2.5 ng/kg), immediately before intranasal instillation of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cytokine levels and cell numbers in mouse bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were measured 4 h after LPS administration. In some experiments, mice were depleted of lung-resident phagocytes. Cells from BAL fluid were analyzed for inflammasome function. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were analyzed for adhesion molecule expression. Human neutrophils were analyzed for integrin expression, chemotaxis, and cell polarization. Cpn60.1 and IRL201104 significantly inhibited neutrophil migration into the airways, independently of route of administration. This effect of the peptide was absent in TLR4 and annexin A1 knockout mice. Intravital microscopy revealed that IRL201104 reduced leukocyte adhesion and migration into inflamed tissues. However, IRL201104 did not significantly affect adhesion molecule expression in HUVECs or integrin expression, chemotaxis, or polarization of human neutrophils at the studied concentrations. In phagocyte-depleted animals, the anti-inflammatory effect of IRL201104 was not significant. IRL201104 significantly reduced IL-1ß and NLRP3 expression and increased A20 expression in BAL cells. This study shows that Cpn60.1 and IRL201104 potently inhibit LPS-induced neutrophil infiltration in mouse lungs by a mechanism dependent on tissue-resident phagocytes and to a much lesser extent, the proresolving factor annexin A1.

Modulation of allergic inflammation in the lung by a peptide derived from Mycobacteria tuberculosis chaperonin 60.1.

BACKGROUND: We have previously demonstrated that Mycobacteria tuberculosis chaperonin 60.1 inhibits leucocyte diapedesis and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in a murine model of allergic lung inflammation. METHODS: In the present study, we have investigated the effect of a shorter peptide sequence derived from Cpn 60.1, named IRL201104, on allergic lung inflammation induced by ovalbumin (OVA) in mice and by house dust mite (HDM) in guinea pigs, as well as investigating the action of IRL201104 on human cells in vitro. RESULTS: Pre-treatment of mice or guinea pigs with IRL201104 inhibits the infiltration of eosinophils to the lung, cytokine release, and in guinea pig skin, inhibits allergen-induced vascular permeability. The protective effect of intranasal IRL201104 against OVA-induced eosinophilia persisted for up to 20 days post-treatment. Moreover, OVA-sensitized mice treated intranasally with 20 ng/kg of IRL201104 show a significant increase in the expression of the anti-inflammatory molecule ubiquitin A20 and significant inhibition of the activation of NF-κB in lung tissue. Our results also show that A20 expression was significantly reduced in blood leucocytes and ASM obtained from patients with asthma compared to cells obtained from healthy subjects which were restored after incubation with IRL201104 in vitro, when added alone, or in combination with LPS or TNF-α in ASM. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a peptide derived from mycobacterial Cpn60.1 has a long-lasting anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity which may help explain some of the protective effects of TB against allergic diseases.

Azithromycin ameliorates sulfur dioxide-induced airway epithelial damage and inflammatory responses.

BACKGROUND: The airway epithelium (AE) forms the first line of defence against harmful particles and pathogens. Barrier failure of the airway epithelium contributes to exacerbations of a range of lung diseases that are commonly treated with Azithromycin (AZM). In addition to its anti-bacterial function, AZM has immunomodulatory effects which are proposed to contribute to its clinical effectiveness. In vitro studies have shown the AE barrier-enhancing effects of AZM. The aim of this study was to analyze whether AE damage caused by inhalation of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in a murine model could be reduced by pre-treatment with AZM. METHODS: The leakiness of the AE barrier was evaluated after SO2 exposure by measuring levels of human serum albumin (HSA) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Protein composition in BALF was also assessed and lung tissues were evaluated across treatments using histology and gene expression analysis. RESULTS: AZM pre-treatment (2 mg/kg p.o. 5 times/week for 2 weeks) resulted in reduced glutathione-S-transferases in BALF of SO2 injured mice compared to control (without AZM treatment). AZM treated mice had increased intracellular vacuolization including lamellar bodies and a reduction in epithelial shedding after injury in addition to a dampened SO2-induced inflammatory response. CONCLUSIONS: Using a mouse model of AE barrier dysfunction we provide evidence for the protective effects of AZM in vivo, possibly through stabilizing the intracellular microenvironment and reducing inflammatory responses. Our data provide insight into the mechanisms contributing to the efficacy of AZM in the treatment of airway diseases.

LPS-induced Lung Platelet Recruitment Occurs Independently from Neutrophils, PSGL-1, and P-Selectin.

Platelets are recruited to inflammatory foci and contribute to host defense and inflammatory responses. Compared with platelet recruitment in hemostasis and thrombosis, the mechanisms of platelet recruitment in inflammation and host defense are poorly understood. Neutrophil recruitment to lung airspaces after inhalation of bacterial LPS requires platelets and PSGL-1 in mice. Given this association between platelets and neutrophils, we investigated whether recruitment of platelets to lungs of mice after LPS inhalation was dependent on PSGL-1, P-selectin, or interaction with neutrophils. BALB/c mice were administered intranasal LPS (O55:B5, 5 mg/kg) and, 48 hours later, lungs were collected and platelets and neutrophils quantified in tissue sections by immunohistochemistry. The effects of functional blocking antibody treatments targeting the platelet-neutrophil adhesion molecules, P-selectin or PSGL-1, or treatment with a neutrophil-depleting antibody targeting Ly6G, were tested on the extent of LPS-induced lung platelet recruitment. Separately in Pf4-Cre × mTmG mice, two-photon intravital microscopy was used to image platelet adhesion in live lungs. Inhalation of LPS caused both platelet and neutrophil recruitment to the lung vasculature. However, decreasing lung neutrophil recruitment by blocking PSGL-1, P-selectin, or depleting blood neutrophils had no effect on lung platelet recruitment. Lung intravital imaging revealed increased adhesion of platelets in the lung microvasculature which was not associated with thrombus formation. In conclusion, platelet recruitment to lungs in response to LPS occurs through mechanisms distinct from those mediating neutrophil recruitment, or the occurrence of pulmonary emboli.

Azithromycin induces epidermal differentiation and multivesicular bodies in airway epithelia.

BACKGROUND: Azithromycin (Azm) is a macrolide recognized for its disease-modifying effects and reduction in exacerbation of chronic airway diseases. It is not clear whether the beneficial effects of Azm are due to its anti-microbial activity or other pharmacological actions. We have shown that Azm affects the integrity of the bronchial epithelial barrier measured by increased transepithelial electrical resistance. To better understand these effects of Azm on bronchial epithelia we have investigated global changes in gene expression. METHODS: VA10 bronchial epithelial cells were treated with Azm and cultivated in air-liquid interface conditions for up to 22 days. RNA was isolated at days 4, 10 and 22 and analyzed using high-throughput RNA sequencing. qPCR and immunostaining were used to confirm key findings from bioinformatic analyses. Detailed assessment of cellular changes was done using microscopy, followed by characterization of the lipidomic profiles of the multivesicular bodies present. RESULTS: Bioinformatic analysis revealed that after 10 days of treatment genes encoding effectors of sterol and cholesterol metabolism were prominent. Interestingly, expression of genes associated with epidermal barrier differentiation, KRT1, CRNN, SPINK5 and DSG1, increased significantly at day 22. Together with immunostaining, these results suggest an epidermal differentiation pattern. We also found that Azm induced the formation of multivesicular and lamellar bodies in two different airway epithelial cell lines. Lipidomic analysis revealed that Azm was entrapped in multivesicular bodies linked to different types of lipids, most notably palmitate and stearate. Furthermore, targeted analysis of lipid species showed accumulation of phosphatidylcholines, as well as ceramide derivatives. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, we demonstrate how Azm might confer its barrier enhancing effects, via activation of epidermal characteristics and changes to intracellular lipid dynamics. These effects of Azm could explain the unexpected clinical benefit observed during Azm-treatment of patients with various lung diseases affecting barrier function.

Imaging drugs, metabolites and biomarkers in rodent lung: a DESI MS strategy for the evaluation of drug-induced lipidosis.

Within drug development and pre-clinical trials, a common, significant and poorly understood event is the development of drug-induced lipidosis in tissues and cells. In this manuscript, we describe a mass spectrometry imaging strategy, involving repeated analysis of tissue sections by DESI MS, in positive and negative polarities, using MS and MS/MS modes. We present results of the detected distributions of the administered drug, drug metabolites, lipid molecules and a putative marker of lipidosis, di-docosahexaenoyl (22:6)-bis(monoacylglycerol) phosphate (di-22:6-BMP). A range of strategies have previously been reported for detection, isolation and identification of this compound, which is an isomer of di-docosahexaenoic (22:6 n-3) phosphatidylglycerol (di-22:6 PG), a commonly found lipid that acts as a surfactant in lung tissues. We show that MS imaging using MS/MS can be used to differentiate these compounds of identical mass, based upon the different distributions of abundant fragment ions. Registration of images of these fragments, and detected drugs and metabolites, is presented as a new method for studying drug-induced lipidosis in tissues. Graphical abstract.

Pharmacology of Heparin and Related Drugs.

Heparin has been recognized as a valuable anticoagulant and antithrombotic for several decades and is still widely used in clinical practice for a variety of indications. The anticoagulant activity of heparin is mainly attributable to the action of a specific pentasaccharide sequence that acts in concert with antithrombin, a plasma coagulation factor inhibitor. This observation has led to the development of synthetic heparin mimetics for clinical use. However, it is increasingly recognized that heparin has many other pharmacological properties, including but not limited to antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antimetastatic actions. Many of these activities are independent of its anticoagulant activity, although the mechanisms of these other activities are currently less well defined. Nonetheless, heparin is being exploited for clinical uses beyond anticoagulation and developed for a wide range of clinical disorders. This article provides a "state of the art" review of our current understanding of the pharmacology of heparin and related drugs and an overview of the status of development of such drugs.

Platelets Play a Central Role in Sensitization to Allergen.

Platelet activation occurs in patients with allergic inflammation, and platelets can be activated directly by allergen via an IgE-dependent process. Platelets have been shown to activate APCs such as CD11c+ dendritic cells in vitro. Although CD11c+ dendritic cells are a requisite for allergen sensitization, the role of platelets in this process is unknown. In this study, we investigated whether platelets were necessary for allergen sensitization. Balb/c mice sensitized to ovalbumin were exposed to subsequent aerosolized allergen (ovalbumin challenge). We analyzed lung CD11c+ cell activation, colocalization with platelets, and some other indices of inflammation. The role of platelets at the time of allergen sensitization was assessed through platelet depletion experiments restricted to the period of sensitization. Platelets colocalized with airway CD11c+ cells, and this association increased after allergen sensitization as well as after subsequent allergen exposure. Temporary platelet depletion (>95%) at the time of allergen sensitization led to a suppression of IgE and IL-4 synthesis and to a decrease in the pulmonary recruitment of eosinophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes after subsequent allergen exposure. Furthermore, in mice previously depleted of platelets at the time of sensitization, the recovered platelet population was shown to have reduced expression of FcεRI. Pulmonary CD11c+ cell recruitment was suppressed in these mice after allergen challenge, suggesting that the migration of CD11c+ cells in vivo may be dependent on direct platelet recognition of allergen. We conclude that platelets are necessary for efficient host sensitization to allergen. This propagates the subsequent inflammatory response during secondary allergen exposure and increases platelet association with airway CD11c+ cells.

Platelet Depletion Impairs Host Defense to Pulmonary Infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Mice.

Platelets have been implicated in pulmonary inflammatory cell recruitment after exposure to allergic and nonallergic stimuli, but little is known about the role of platelets in response to pulmonary infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this study, we have investigated the impact of the experimental depletion of circulating platelets on a range of inflammatory and bacterial parameters, and their subsequent impact on mortality in a murine model of pulmonary infection with P. aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa infection in mice induced a mild, but significant, state of peripheral thrombocytopenia in addition to pulmonary platelet accumulation. Increased platelet activation was detected in infected mice through increased levels of the platelet-derived mediators, platelet factor-4 and ß-thromboglobulin, in BAL fluid and blood plasma. In mice depleted of circulating platelets, pulmonary neutrophil recruitment was significantly reduced 24 hours after infection, whereas the incidence of systemic dissemination of bacteria was significantly increased compared with non-platelet-depleted control mice. Furthermore, mortality rates were increased in bacterial-infected mice depleted of circulating platelets. This work demonstrates a role for platelets in the host response toward a gram-negative bacterial respiratory infection.

Ion-Pairing with Spermine Targets Theophylline To the Lungs via the Polyamine Transport System.

Certain xenobiotics, such as paraquat, are sequestered into the lungs from the systemic circulation by the polyamine transporter system (PTS). The aim of this study was to investigate whether ion-pairing a drug (theophylline) with a PTS substrate (spermine) provides a means of using this active transport mechanism to target drug delivery to the lungs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that two of the amine groups of spermine interact with C-N7 and C6═O of theophylline, leaving two free amines to interact with the PTS. In A549 cells, which possess a functional PTS (spermidine Km and Vmax, 0.6 ± 0.3 µM and 1.8 ± 0.3 pmol·min-1 per 105 cells, respectively), uptake of the theophylline-spermine ion-pair was increased 1.8-fold compared to free theophylline at 37 °C, but not at 4 °C. In an isolated perfused rat lung model (IPL) a 3.6-fold increase in lung theophylline concentration was observed after vascular administration of the ion-pair compared to free theophylline. Theophylline was cleared from the IPL with similar kinetics irrespective of whether it was delivered as the free drug or an ion-pair, although lung levels remained elevated after washout following delivery as an ion-pair. In vitro simulation of the theophylline-spermine break down demonstrated that a drop in pH from 9.6 to 7.4, such as that undergone by the ion-pair in biological matrices, induces rapid and almost complete dissociation of the ion-paired species. However, infusion of the ion-pair formulations via the vasculature provides almost immediate delivery to the pulmonary capillary bed permitting PTS-mediated active sequestering of ion-paired theophylline into the lungs.

Steroid sparing effects of doxofylline.

Glucocorticosteroids are widely used in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, there are growing concerns about the side effect profile of this class of drug, particularly an increased risk of pneumonia. Over the last two decades there have been many attempts to find drugs to allow a reduction of glucocorticosteroids, including xanthines such as theophylline. Use of xanthines has been shown to lead to a reduction in the requirement for glucocorticosteroids, although xanthines also have a narrow therapeutic window limiting their wider use. Doxofylline is another xanthine that has been shown to be of clinical benefit in patients with asthma or COPD, but to have a wider therapeutic window than theophylline. In the present study we have demonstrated that doxofylline produces a clear steroid sparing effect in both an allergic and a non-allergic model of lung inflammation. Thus, we have shown that concomitant treatment with a low dose of doxofylline and a low dose of the glucocorticosteroid dexamethasone (that alone had no effect) significantly reduced both allergen-induced eosinophil infiltration into the lungs of allergic mice, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neutrophil infiltration into the lung, equivalent to a higher dose of each drug. Our results suggest that doxofylline demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory activity in the lung which can result in significant steroid sparing activity.

Inhaled nebulised unfractionated heparin improves lung function in moderate to very severe COPD: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: COPD is an inflammatory airway disease characterised by progressive airflow limitation and air trapping, leading to lung hyperinflation and exercise limitation. Acute worsening of symptoms, including dyspnea, cough and sputum production, occurs during exacerbations which are associated with significantly reduced health related quality of life, and increased morbidity and mortality. Chronic bronchial mucus production and productive cough are risk factors for exacerbations. Medicines targeting bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation are the current mainstays of COPD therapy. However, there is growing concern with an increased risk of pneumonia in patients with COPD receiving regular inhaled corticosteroids and there is therefore a need to find safer alternative treatments. Previous studies have indicated that inhalation of unfractionated heparin (UFH) treats local inflammation, mucus hypersecretion and lung injury, without systemic anticoagulation, and is safe. Therefore, our primary objective was to demonstrate that inhaled UFH significantly improves lung function (FEV1) over 21 days of treatment in patients with COPD receiving pulmonary rehabilitation and that UFH provides a novel, safe and effective way of treating this complex disease. METHODS: Forty patients with moderate to very severe COPD admitted to the IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana Hospital for 21 days pulmonary rehabilitation were randomised to receive nebulised inhaled UFH (75,000 or 150,000 IU BID) or placebo for 21 days. All patients also received nebulised salbutamol (1 mg) and beclomethasone dipropionate (400 µg) BID over the same period. Lung function was measured at day 0, 7, 14 and 21 of treatment and at a follow-up visit 7 days post-treatment. Exercise capacity (6MWT) and dyspnoea (Borg score) were measured before and after treatment. In pre-clinical studies, the ability of basic proteins found in COPD sputum to neutralise the anticoagulant activity of heparin was determined using the AMAX heparin assay kit. MAIN RESULTS: At both doses, UFH significantly increased FVC following 7 days of treatment and 150,000 IU BID significantly increased FEV1 (+249 ± 69 ml compared with placebo) at this time, an effect maintained to the 28 day follow-up. Clinically significant improvement in exercise capacity and dyspnoea were seen after 21 days of treatment with both doses of UFH. There were no serious adverse events or effects on systemic coagulation. Pre-clinical studies demonstrated that the basic proteins lactoferrin, platelet factor-4 (PF-4), IL-8 and polyarginine, as a model of the eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), found in COPD sputum neutralise the anticoagulant activity of heparin. CONCLUSION: Inhaled nebulised UFH is safe and provides additional clinical benefit for patients with moderate to very severe COPD through effects that are independent of its anticoagulant activity.

Realising the potential of various inhaled airway challenge agents through improved delivery to the lungs.

Inhaled airway challenges provoke bronchoconstriction in susceptible subjects and are a pivotal tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of obstructive lung diseases, both in the clinic and in the development of new respiratory medicines. This article reviews the main challenge agents that are in use today (methacholine, mannitol, adenosine, allergens, endotoxin) and emphasises the importance of controlling how these agents are administered. There is a danger that the optimal value of these challenge agents may not be realised due to suboptimal inhaled delivery; thus considerations for effective and reproducible challenge delivery are provided. This article seeks to increase awareness of the importance of precise delivery of inhaled agents used to challenge the airways for diagnosis and research, and is intended as a stepping stone towards much-needed standardisation and harmonisation in the administration of inhaled airway challenge agents.

Gustav Born: pioneer in imaging platelet and leukocyte biology.

Gustav Born achieved scientific fame for his application of light transmission aggregometry to the study of platelet function, but also led interdisciplinary research teams in pioneering quantitative in vivo imaging studies of platelet aggregation and leukocyte adhesion, and in conducting the first research into the biomechanical factors underlying atherosclerotic plaque rupture. Gus Born also communicated both current research findings and an integrated understanding of cardiovascular biology to a wide audience through acting as scientific advisor on several television productions. Using footage from two of these films, we discuss Gustav Born's scientific achievements and legacy.