The relation between age and airway epithelial barrier function.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of age-associated diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is increasing as the average life expectancy increases around the world. We previously identified a gene signature for ageing in the human lung which included genes involved in apical and tight junction assembly, suggesting a role for airway epithelial barrier dysfunction with ageing. AIM: To investigate the association between genes involved in epithelial barrier function and age both in silico and in vitro in the airway epithelium. METHODS: We curated a gene signature of 274 genes for epithelial barrier function and tested the association with age in two independent cohorts of bronchial brushings from healthy individuals with no respiratory disease, using linear regression analysis (FDR < 0.05). Protein-protein interactions were identified using STRING©. The barrier function of primary bronchial epithelial cells at air-liquid interface and CRISPR-Cas9-induced knock-down of target genes in human bronchial 16HBE14o-cells was assessed using Trans epithelial resistance (TER) measurement and Electric cell-surface impedance sensing (ECIS) respectively. RESULTS: In bronchial brushings, we found 55 genes involved in barrier function to be significantly associated with age (FDR < 0.05). EPCAM was most significantly associated with increasing age and TRPV4 with decreasing age. Protein interaction analysis identified CDH1, that was negatively associated with higher age, as potential key regulator of age-related epithelial barrier function changes. In vitro, barrier function was lower in bronchial epithelial cells from subjects > 45 years of age and significantly reduced in CDH1-deficient 16HBE14o-cells. CONCLUSION: The significant association between genes involved in epithelial barrier function and age, supported by functional studies in vitro, suggest a role for epithelial barrier dysfunction in age-related airway disease.

The Microbiome in Bronchial Biopsies from Smokers and Ex-Smokers with Stable COPD - A Metatranscriptomic Approach.

Current knowledge about the respiratory microbiome is mainly based on 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Newer sequencing approaches, such as metatranscriptomics, offer the technical ability to measure the viable microbiome response to environmental conditions such as smoking as well as to explore its functional role by investigating host-microbiome interactions. However, knowledge about its feasibility in respiratory microbiome research, especially in lung biopsies, is still very limited. RNA sequencing was performed in bronchial biopsies from clinically stable smokers (n = 5) and ex-smokers (n = 6) with COPD not using (inhaled) steroids. The Trinity assembler was used to assemble non-human reads in order to allow unbiased taxonomical and microbial transcriptional analyses. Subsequently, host-microbiome interactions were analyzed based on associations with host transcriptomic data. Ultra-low levels of microbial mass (0.009%) were identified in the RNA-seq data. Overall, no differences were identified in microbiome diversity or transcriptional profiles of microbial communities or individual microbes between COPD smokers and ex-smokers in the initial test dataset as well as a larger replication dataset. We identified an upregulated host gene set, related to the simultaneous presence of Bradyrhizobium, Roseomonas, Brevibacterium.spp., which were related to PERK-mediated unfolded protein response (UPR) and expression of the microRNA-155-5p. Our results show that metatranscriptomic profiling in bronchial biopsy samples from stable COPD patients yields ultra-low levels of microbial mass. Further, this study illustrates the potential of using transcriptional profiling of the host and microbiome to gain more insight into their interaction in the airways.

The Stress of Lung Aging: Endoplasmic Reticulum and Senescence Tête-à-Tête.

Beyond the structural changes, features including the dysregulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response and increased senescence characterize the lung aging. ER stress response and senescence have been reported to be induced by factors like cigarette smoke. Therefore, deciphering the mechanisms underlying ER and senescent pathways interaction has become a challenge. In this review we highlight the known and unknown regarding ER stress response and senescence and their cross talk in aged lung.

Determinants of SARS-CoV-2 receptor gene expression in upper and lower airways.

The recent outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has led to a worldwide pandemic. One week after initial symptoms develop, a subset of patients progresses to severe disease, with high mortality and limited treatment options. To design novel interventions aimed at preventing spread of the virus and reducing progression to severe disease, detailed knowledge of the cell types and regulating factors driving cellular entry is urgently needed. Here we assess the expression patterns in genes required for COVID-19 entry into cells and replication, and their regulation by genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors, throughout the respiratory tract using samples collected from the upper (nasal) and lower airways (bronchi). Matched samples from the upper and lower airways show a clear increased expression of these genes in the nose compared to the bronchi and parenchyma. Cellular deconvolution indicates a clear association of these genes with the proportion of secretory epithelial cells. Smoking status was found to increase the majority of COVID-19 related genes including ACE2 and TMPRSS2 but only in the lower airways, which was associated with a significant increase in the predicted proportion of goblet cells in bronchial samples of current smokers. Both acute and second hand smoke were found to increase ACE2 expression in the bronchus. Inhaled corticosteroids decrease ACE2 expression in the lower airways. No significant effect of genetics on ACE2 expression was observed, but a strong association of DNA- methylation with ACE2 and TMPRSS2- mRNA expression was identified in the bronchus.

Marked TGF-ß-regulated miRNA expression changes in both COPD and control lung fibroblasts.

COPD is associated with disturbed tissue repair, possibly due to TGF-ß-regulated miRNA changes in fibroblasts. Our aim was to identify TGF-ß-regulated miRNAs and their differential regulation and expression in COPD compared to control fibroblasts. Small RNA sequencing was performed on TGF-ß-stimulated and unstimulated lung fibroblasts from 15 COPD patients and 15 controls. Linear regression was used to identify TGF-ß-regulated and COPD-associated miRNAs. Interaction analysis was performed to compare miRNAs that responded differently to TGF-ß in COPD and control. Re-analysis of previously generated Ago2-IP data and Enrichr were used to identify presence and function of potential target genes in the miRNA-targetome of lung fibroblasts. In total, 46 TGF-ß-regulated miRNAs were identified in COPD and 86 in control fibroblasts (FDR < 0.05). MiR-27a-5p was the most significantly upregulated miRNA. MiR-148b-3p, miR-589-5p and miR-376b-3p responded differently to TGF-ß in COPD compared to control (FDR < 0.25). MiR-660-5p was significantly upregulated in COPD compared to control (FDR < 0.05). Several predicted targets of miR-27a-5p, miR-148b-3p and miR-660-5p were present in the miRNA-targetome, and were mainly involved in the regulation of gene transcription. In conclusion, altered TGF-ß-induced miRNA regulation and differential expression of miR-660-5p in COPD fibroblasts, may represent one of the mechanisms underlying aberrant tissue repair and remodelling in COPD.

Age-related gene and miRNA expression changes in airways of healthy individuals.

Knowledge on age-related miRNA changes in healthy individuals and their interaction with mRNAs is lacking. We studied age-related mRNA and miRNA expression changes and their interactions in normal airways. RNA and small RNA sequencing was performed on bronchial biopsies of 86 healthy individuals (age: 18-73) to determine age-related expression changes. Per age-related miRNA we determined the enrichment of age-related predicted targets and their correlation. We identified 285 age-related genes and 27 age-related miRNAs. Pathway enrichment showed that genes higher expressed with age were involved in synapse-related processes. Genes lower expressed with age were involved in cell cycle regulation, the immune system and DNA damage/repair. MiR-146a-5p, miR-146b-5p and miR-142-5p were lower expressed with increasing age and we found a significant enrichment for predicted targets of these miRNAs among genes that were higher expressed with age. The expression levels of the enriched predicted targets RIMS2 and IGSF1 were negatively correlated with both miR-146a-5p and miR-146b-5p. RIMS2 was present in the enriched process, i.e. positive regulation of synaptic transmission. In conclusion, genes decreased with ageing are involved in several of the ageing hallmarks. Genes higher expressed with ageing were involved in synapse-related processes, of which RIMS2 is potentially regulated by two age-related miRNAs.

Impact of acute exposure to cigarette smoke on airway gene expression.

BACKGROUND: Understanding effects of acute smoke exposure (ASE) on airway epithelial gene expression and their relationship with the effects of chronic smoke exposure may provide biological insights into the development of smoking-related respiratory diseases. METHODS: Bronchial airway epithelial cell brushings were collected from 63 individuals without recent cigarette smoke exposure and before and 24 h after smoking three cigarettes. RNA from these samples was profiled on Affymetrix Human Gene 1.0 ST microarrays. RESULTS: We identified 91 genes differentially expressed 24 h after ASE (false discovery rate < 0.25). ASE induced genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation and repressed genes related to cilium morphogenesis and cell cycle. While many genes altered by ASE are altered similarly in chronic smokers, metallothionein genes are induced by ASE and suppressed in chronic smokers. Metallothioneins are also suppressed in current and former smokers with lung cancer relative to those without lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Acute exposure to as little as three cigarettes and chronic smoking induce largely concordant changes in airway epithelial gene expression. Differences in short-term and long-term effects of smoking on metallothionein expression and their relationship to lung cancer requires further study given these enzymes' role in the oxidative stress response.

Serum periostin does not reflect type 2-driven inflammation in COPD.

Although Th2 driven inflammation is present in COPD, it is not clearly elucidated which COPD patients are affected. Since periostin is associated with Th2 driven inflammation and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-response in asthma, it could function as a biomarker in COPD. The aim of this study was to analyze if serum periostin is elevated in COPD compared to healthy controls, if it is affected by smoking status, if it is linked to inflammatory cell counts in blood, sputum and endobronchial biopsies, and if periostin can predict ICS-response in COPD patients.Serum periostin levels were measured using Elecsys Periostin immunoassay. Correlations between periostin and inflammatory cell count in blood, sputum and endobronchial biopsies were analyzed. Additionally, the correlation between serum periostin levels and treatment responsiveness after 6 and 30 months was assessed using i.e. ΔFEV1% predicted, ΔCCQ score and ΔRV/TLC ratio. Forty-five COPD smokers, 25 COPD past-smokers, 22 healthy smokers and 23 healthy never-smokers were included. Linear regression analysis of serum periostin showed positive correlations age (B = 0.02, 95%CI 0.01-0.03) and FEV1% predicted (B = 0.01, 95%CI 0.01-0.02) in healthy smokers, but not in COPD patients In conclusion, COPD -smokers and -past-smokers have significantly higher periostin levels compared to healthy smokers, yet periostin is not suitable as a biomarker for Th2-driven inflammation or ICS-responsiveness in COPD.

Aberrant DNA methylation and expression of SPDEF and FOXA2 in airway epithelium of patients with COPD.

BACKGROUND: Goblet cell metaplasia, a common feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is associated with mucus hypersecretion which contributes to the morbidity and mortality among patients. Transcription factors SAM-pointed domain-containing Ets-like factor (SPDEF) and forkhead box protein A2 (FOXA2) regulate goblet cell differentiation. This study aimed to (1) investigate DNA methylation and expression of SPDEF and FOXA2 during goblet cell differentiation and (2) compare this in airway epithelial cells from patients with COPD and controls during mucociliary differentiation. METHODS: To assess DNA methylation and expression of SPDEF and FOXA2 during goblet cell differentiation, primary airway epithelial cells, isolated from trachea (non-COPD controls) and bronchial tissue (patients with COPD), were differentiated by culture at the air-liquid interface (ALI) in the presence of cytokine interleukin (IL)-13 to promote goblet cell differentiation. RESULTS: We found that SPDEF expression was induced during goblet cell differentiation, while FOXA2 expression was decreased. Importantly, CpG number 8 in the SPDEF promoter was hypermethylated upon differentiation, whereas DNA methylation of FOXA2 promoter was not changed. In the absence of IL-13, COPD-derived ALI-cultured cells displayed higher SPDEF expression than control-derived ALI cultures, whereas no difference was found for FOXA2 expression. This was accompanied with hypomethylation of CpG number 6 in the SPDEF promoter and also hypomethylation of CpG numbers 10 and 11 in the FOXA2 promoter. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that aberrant DNA methylation of SPDEF and FOXA2 is one of the factors underlying mucus hypersecretion in COPD, opening new avenues for epigenetic-based inhibition of mucus hypersecretion.

Deficiency of FHL2 attenuates airway inflammation in mice and genetic variation associates with human bronchial hyper-responsiveness.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is an inflammatory disease that involves airway hyper-responsiveness and mucus hypersecretion. The LIM-only protein FHL2 is a crucial modulator of multiple signal transduction pathways and functions as a scaffold in specific protein-protein interactions. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the role of FHL2 in airway inflammation. METHODS: Allergic airway inflammation was induced in WT and FHL2-knock out (FHL2-KO) mice with ovalbumin (OVA). Lung tissue, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and draining lymph node cells were analysed for inflammation. FHL2 loss and gain of function studies were performed in lung epithelial cells. RESULTS: FHL2-deficient mice challenged with OVA show significantly reduced airway inflammation as evidenced by reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells including eosinophils, dendritic cells, B cells and T cells. Furthermore, mucus production was decreased in FHL2-KO mice. In BALF, the levels of IL-5, IL-13, eotaxin-1 and eotaxin-2 were significantly lower in FHL2-KO mice. In addition, draining lymph node cells from FHL2-KO mice show reduced levels of IL-5 and IL-13. Consistent with this, OVA-specific serum IgG and IgE levels were reduced in FHL2-KO mice. We also found that phosphorylation of ERK1/2 is markedly attenuated in FHL2-KO lung. Knock-down of FHL2 in human lung epithelial cells resulted in a striking decrease in ERK1/2 phosphorylation and mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines and MUC5AC, whereas FHL2 overexpression exhibited opposite effects. Finally, the SNP rs4851765 shows an association with the severity of bronchial hyper-responsiveness. CONCLUSION: These results highlight functional involvement of FHL2 in airway inflammation and identify FHL2 as a novel gene associated with asthma severity in human.

Shifted T-cell polarisation after agricultural dust exposure in mice and men.

RATIONALE: A low prevalence of asthma and atopy has been shown in farmers and agricultural workers. However, in these workers, a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms has been reported, in which T helper 1 (Th1) and/or Th17 responses may play a role. AIM: We investigated the effect of exposure to dust extracts (DEs) from different farms on airway inflammation and T-cell polarisation in a mouse model and assessed T-cell polarisation in agricultural workers from the same farms. METHODS: DEs were prepared from settled dust collected at cattle and pig farms and bulb and onion industries. Mice were exposed to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), DEs, house dust mite (HDM) or HDM+DE via nasal instillation, four times per week during 5 weeks. Hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation, IgE levels and T-cell polarisation were assessed. Th-cell and T cytotoxic (Tc)-cell subsets were investigated in peripheral blood samples from 33 agricultural workers and 9 non-exposed controls. RESULTS: DEs induced interleukin(IL)-17, IL-1ß and IL-6 in mouse lung homogenates. DE-exposed mice had more mixed inflammatory infiltrates in the lungs, and more neutrophils compared with PBS-exposed mice. DEs protected against the HDM-induced Th2 response and methacholine hyperresponsiveness. Interestingly, occupationally exposed humans had higher frequencies of Th cells spontaneously expressing IL-17 and interferon γ compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Chronic exposure to different types of farm dust induces a Th/Tc-17 inflammatory response in mice and agricultural workers. This may contribute to the low prevalence of Th2-related diseases but may constitute a risk for other chronic respiratory diseases.

Antinuclear autoantibodies are more prevalent in COPD in association with low body mass index but not with smoking history.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a higher prevalence of antinuclear autoantibodies (ANAs). However, a significant subgroup of patients is ANA negative. It remains to be determined which patient groups carry autoantibodies. METHODS: The association of smoking behaviour, disease status, gender, age and body mass index (BMI) with the presence of autoantibodies in the serum was determined in 124 patients with COPD and 108 non-COPD control subjects. In addition, the role of B cells in autoantibody generation in COPD was investigated by sequencing the antibody repertoire of B cells in the lungs of patients with COPD and of ex-smoking and never-smoking control subjects. RESULTS: Patients with COPD had a significantly higher risk of being serum positive for ANAs (OR 3.12, 95% CI 1.68 to 5.76, p<0.001). ANAs were not significantly associated with age, smoking status, gender or pack-years of smoking. Within the COPD population, subjects with BMI <22 kg/m2 had a significantly higher risk of ANAs (OR 4.93, 95% CI 1.50 to 16.50, p=0.009) than those with normal or high BMI. The antibody repertoire of B cells in the lungs of patients with COPD had a high frequency of positively charged CDR3 residues, a feature which is associated with self-reactive antibodies. CONCLUSION: The results show that COPD is a heterogeneous disease with respect to the prevalence of ANAs. ANAs are primarily associated with the presence of COPD and with low BMI, but not with smoking and forced expiratory volume in 1 s.

Lymphoid follicles in (very) severe COPD: beneficial or harmful?

Inflammation is a main pathogenetic factor in the development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recently, it has become clear that not only the innate, but also the specific immune response plays a role. A striking finding, in particular in lungs of patients with severe COPD, often with a predominant emphysema phenotype, is the presence of B-cell follicles. As seen in other tissues, these follicles are the result of lymphoid neogenesis. The finding of oligoclonality in B-cell follicles in COPD suggests that they play a role in local antigen specific immune responses. To date, it is not known which antigens may be involved; microbial antigens, cigarette smoke-derived antigens and antigens from extracellular matrix breakdown products have been suggested. Consequently, the pathogenetic role of this follicular B-cell response is not yet clear. It might be protective against microbial colonisation and infection of the lower respiratory tract and, therefore, beneficial, or it could be of a more harmful (autoimmune) nature, directed against lung tissue components. It is necessary to determine the specific antigen(s) and to explore the exact role of the COPD related B-cell response in order to include modulation of this response and develop therapeutic options.

Dry powder inhalation of hemin to induce heme oxygenase expression in the lung.

The purpose of this study was to formulate hemin as a powder for inhalation and to show proof of concept of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) expression in the lungs of mice by inhalation of hemin. Hemin was spray dried from a neutralized sodium hydroxide solution. The particle size distribution of the powder was between 1 and 5 microm. Dispersion from the Twincer dry powder inhaler showed a fine particle fraction (<5 microm) of 36%. A specially designed aerosol box based on the Twincer-inhaler was used for a proof of concept study of HO-1 induction by inhalation of hemin in mice. The aerosol in the exposure chamber of the aerosol box remained aerosolized up to 5 min. A rhodamin B containing aerosol was used to show that the aerosol box gave deposition over the entire lung indicating the suitability of the model. Additionally, inhalation of hemin showed a dose dependent increase in HO-1 protein expression in the lungs. In conclusion, hemin was successfully formulated as a powder for inhalation and the inhalation model allowed controlled HO-1 expression in the lungs of mice. Future studies investigating the utility of inhaled hemin in treating disease states are warranted.