Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Triple Therapy with Budesonide/ Glycopyrronium/ Formoterol Fumarate versus Dual Therapy in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Spain.

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Budesonide/Glycopyrronium/Formoterol (BUD/GLY/FOR) versus LAMA/LABA and ICS/LABA, respectively, in patients with moderate to severe COPD, from the Spanish National Healthcare System (NHS) perspective. Methods: A lifetime Markov model with monthly cycle length was developed with baseline and treatment effect data from ETHOS clinical trial, together with utility values from literature and Spanish healthcare resource costs (€, 2021). A 3% annual discount rate was used for costs and benefits. The model comprised ten health states: nine forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)-related, which were divided by three levels of severity: moderate (FEV1 ≥50% and <80%); severe (FEV1 ≥30% and <50%) and very severe (FEV1 <30%) and a death state. Each FEV1-health state was divided into no exacerbation, moderate exacerbation, and severe exacerbations. An expert panel validated data and assumptions. Outcomes were measured as incremental cost per exacerbation avoided, per life year (LY) gained, and per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained (ICUR). One-way (OWSA), scenario, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSA) were performed. Results: According to this cost-effectiveness analysis based on a Markov model, BUD/GLY/FOR was associated with a lower totals exacerbation per patient (12.80) compared to LAMA/LABA (13.36) and ICS/LABA (13.23) and higher LYs (10.32 vs 10.14 and 10.06, respectively) and QALYs (7.55 vs 7.41 and 7.32, respectively). The incremental costs were €850.95, and €2422.26, respectively, per exacerbation avoided, €2733.38 and €4111.15, respectively, per LY gained and €3461.19 and €4545.24 per QALY gained. OWSA showed that the model was most sensitive to the costs of treatments following discontinuation, but the ICUR remained below the cost-effectiveness threshold of €25,000 per QALY gained. In the PSA, the probability of BUD/GLY/FOR being cost-effective was 91.32% vs LAMA/LABA and 99.29% vs ICS/LABA. Conclusion: BUD/GLY/FOR is a cost-effective treatment strategy for Spanish NHS patients with COPD compared to dual therapies.

FIDEPOC: Consensus on Inspiratory Flow and Lung Deposition as Key Decision Factors in COPD Inhaled Therapy.

Purpose: The pharmacological treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is largely based on inhaled bronchodilators. Inspiratory flow and lung deposition are key parameters to be considered in inhaled therapy; however, the relationship between these two parameters, the patient specificities, and the suitability of the inhaler type for COPD management has not been fully addressed. The present study follows a Delphi Panel methodology to find expert consensus on the role of inspiratory flow and lung deposition as key decision factors in COPD inhaled therapy. Methods: A two-round Delphi Panel, consisting of 38 statements (items) and completed by 57 Spanish pulmonologists, was carried out to measure the experts' consensus degree with each item. Results: A high degree of consensus was reached on most of the items consulted, among these inspiratory flow or inspiratory capacity should be periodically considered when choosing an inhalation device and to ensure the suitability of the inhaler used; the outflow velocity and particle size of the different devices should be considered to ensure adequate lung deposition; an active device (pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDI) or soft mist inhalers (SMI)) should be used in patients with low inspiratory flow to achieve adequate lung deposition; and, the use of dry powder inhalers (DPI) should be re-evaluated in patients with severe obstruction and severe exacerbations. Conclusion: This study shows the relevance of inspiratory flow and the degree of particle deposition in the lung in the choice of an inhalation device for COPD management, as well as the convenience of an SMI type device in cases of low inspiratory flow. Moreover, it highlights the scarcity of information on the specific features of inhalation devices in COPD guidelines.

Common Variation in EDN1 Regulatory Regions Highlights the Role of PPARγ as a Key Regulator of Endothelin in vitro.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease caused by the obliteration of the pulmonary arterioles, increasing pulmonary vascular resistance and eventually causing right heart failure. Endothelin-1 (EDN1) is a vasoconstrictor peptide whose levels are indicators of disease progression and its pathway is one of the most common targeted by current treatments. We sequenced the EDN1 untranslated regions of a small subset of patients with PAH, predicted the effect in silico, and used a luciferase assay with the different genotypes to analyze its influence on gene expression. Finally, we used siRNAs against the major transcription factors (TFs) predicted for these regions [peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), Krüppel-Like Factor 4 (KLF4), and vitamin D receptor (VDR)] to assess EDN1 expression in cell culture and validate the binding sites. First, we detected a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the 5' untranslated region (UTR; rs397751713) and another in the 3'regulatory region (rs2859338) that altered luciferase activity in vitro depending on their genotype. We determined in silico that KLF4/PPARγ could bind to the rs397751713 and VDR to rs2859338. By using siRNAs and luciferase assays, we determined that PPARγ binds differentially to rs397751713. PPARγ and VDR Knock-Down (KD) increased the EDN1 mRNA levels and EDN1 production in porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAECs), while PPARγ and KLF4 KD increased the EDN1 production in HeLa. In conclusion, common variants in EDN1 regulatory regions could alter EDN1 levels. We were able to validate that PPARγ binds in rs397751713 and is a key regulator of EDN1. In addition, KLF4 and VDR regulate EDN1 production in a cell-dependent manner, but VDR does not bind directly to the regions we studied.

Lung Deposition and Inspiratory Flow Rate in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Using Different Inhalation Devices: A Systematic Literature Review and Expert Opinion.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to describe: 1) lung deposition and inspiratory flow rate; 2) main characteristics of inhaler devices in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to analyze the features and results of inhaler devices in COPD patients. These devices included pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs), dry powder inhalers (DPIs), and a soft mist inhaler (SMI). Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established, as well as search strategies (Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library up to April 2019). In vitro and in vivo studies were included. Two reviewers selected articles, collected and analyzed data independently. Narrative searches complemented the SLR. We discussed the results of the reviews in a nominal group meeting and agreed on various general principles and recommendations. RESULTS: The SLR included 71 articles, some were of low-moderate quality, and there was great variability regarding populations and outcomes. Lung deposition rates varied across devices: 8%-53% for pMDIs, 7%-69% for DPIs, and 39%-67% for the SMI. The aerosol exit velocity was high with pMDIs (more than 3 m/s), while it is much slower (0.84-0.72 m/s) with the SMI. In general, pMDIs produce large-sized particles (1.22-8 µm), DPIs produce medium-sized particles (1.8-4.8 µm), and 60% of the particles reach an aerodynamic diameter <5 µm with the SMI. All inhalation devices reach central and peripheral lung regions, but the SMI distribution pattern might be better compared with pMDIs. DPIs' intrinsic resistance is higher than that of pMDIs and SMI, which are relatively similar and low. Depending on the DPI, the minimum flow inspiratory rate required was 30 L/min. pMDIs and SMI did not require a high inspiratory flow rate. CONCLUSION: Lung deposition and inspiratory flow rate are key factors when selecting an inhalation device in COPD patients.

Characterization of rare ABCC8 variants identified in Spanish pulmonary arterial hypertension patients.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a rare and fatal disease where knowledge about its genetic basis continues to increase. In this study, we used targeted panel sequencing in a cohort of 624 adult and pediatric patients from the Spanish PAH registry. We identified 11 rare variants in the ATP-binding Cassette subfamily C member 8 (ABCC8) gene, most of them with splicing alteration predictions. One patient also carried another variant in SMAD1 gene (c.27delinsGTAAAG). We performed an ABCC8 in vitro biochemical analyses using hybrid minigenes to confirm the correct mRNA processing of 3 missense variants (c.211C > T p.His71Tyr, c.298G > A p.Glu100Lys and c.1429G > A p.Val477Met) and the skipping of exon 27 in the novel splicing variant c.3394G > A. Finally, we used structural protein information to further assess the pathogenicity of the variants. The results showed 11 novel changes in ABCC8 and 1 in SMAD1 present in PAH patients. After in silico and in vitro biochemical analyses, we classified 2 as pathogenic (c.3288_3289del and c.3394G > A), 6 as likely pathogenic (c.211C > T, c.1429G > A, c.1643C > T, c.2422C > A, c.2694 + 1G > A, c.3976G > A and SMAD1 c.27delinsGTAAAG) and 3 as Variants of Uncertain Significance (c.298G > A, c.2176G > A and c.3238G > A). In all, we show that coupling in silico tools with in vitro biochemical studies can improve the classification of genetic variants.

Degree of control of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Spain: SINCON study.

BACKGROUND: Disease control is an important objective of COPD management. The SINCON study evaluated the level of control in terms of respiratory symptoms and exacerbations in Spanish patients with COPD for ≥2 years. METHODS: SINCON was a descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study that assessed degree of control using a combined index comprising COPD assessment test (CAT), modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (mMRC), and number of moderate/severe exacerbations in the last year. Based on this score, patients were categorized as "well controlled" or "poorly controlled". Degree of control was also assessed relative to patient phenotype, setting (primary care [PC] vs respiratory care [RC]), and impact of treatment on morning symptoms. RESULTS: Of the 481 patients (PC: 307, RC: 174) analyzed, COPD was poorly controlled in 63.2%. Some differences were found between clinical settings: PC patients were more poorly controlled (PC: 66.4% vs RC: 57.5%; P = 0.06) and had higher CAT score (PC: 17.9 vs RC: 15.5; P < 0.05), and higher rate of moderate/severe exacerbations during previous year (PC: 1.5 vs RC: 1.1; P < 0.05), while dyspnea degree was similar in both settings. Regarding phenotypes, non-exacerbators demonstrated better control vs exacerbators. Morning symptoms score improved between waking and 3 h after bronchodilator treatment (P < 0.05), with greater improvements in PC patients (PC: - 6.5 vs RC: - 5.0 points; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Most COPD patients were poorly controlled with some differences observed between PC and RC settings and between patient phenotypes. Our index may be easily used in PC settings to optimize COPD treatment.

Hipertensión arterial pulmonar asociada a lupus eritematoso sistémico: caracterización molecular de 3 casos / Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated to systemic erythematosus lupus: molecular characterization of 3 cases

Introducción y objetivos: La hipertensión arterial pulmonar asociada a lupus eritematoso sistémico (HAP-LES) es una rara enfermedad de baja incidencia. En este estudio se caracterizaron molecularmente los genes y modificadores genéticos relacionados con la HAP en pacientes con HAP-LES. Pacientes y métodos: Se analizaron 3 pacientes diagnosticados de HAP-LES y 100 individuos control, previa firma del consentimiento informado. Resultados: Dos de las 3 pacientes con HAP-LES analizadas resultaron ser portadoras de mutaciones patogénicas en los genes BMPR2 y ENG. Tras el análisis in silico, las mutaciones patogénicas se buscaron en individuos control y en diferentes bases de datos, siendo este resultado negativo, por lo que fueron analizadas funcionalmente. La tercera paciente tan solo presentó polimorfismos en los genes BMPR2, ACVRL1 y ENG. Se identificaron diversas variaciones en los modificadores genéticos en las 3 pacientes analizadas. La presencia de estos modificadores, junto con las mutaciones patogénicas, podrían dar lugar a un fenotipo más severo en los pacientes con HAP. Conclusiones: Presentamos, por primera vez, pacientes con HAP-LES portadores de mutaciones patogénicas en los principales genes relacionados con la HAP y con alteraciones en los modificadores genéticos

Background and objective: Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (PAH-SLE) is a rare disease with a low incidence rate. In this study, PAH related genes and genetic modifiers were characterised molecularly in patients with PAH-SLE. Patients and methods: Three patients diagnosed with PAH-SLE and 100 control individuals were analysed after signing an informed consent. Results: Two out of the three analysed patients with PAH-SLE were carriers of pathogenic mutations in the genes BMPR2 and ENG. After an in silico analysis, pathogenic mutations were searched for in control individuals and different databases, with negative results, and they were thus functionally analysed. The third patients only showed polymorphisms in the genes BMPR2, ACVRL1 and ENG. Several genetic variants and genetic modifiers were identified in the three analysed patients. These modifiers, along with the pathogenic mutations, could lead to a more severe clinical course in patients with PAH. Conclusions: We present, for the first time, patients with PAH-SLE carrying pathogenic mutations in the main genes related to PAH and alterations in the genetic modifiers

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: outstanding questions and future directions.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a rare hereditary condition that leads to decreased circulating alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) levels, significantly increasing the risk of serious lung and/or liver disease in children and adults, in which some aspects remain unresolved. METHODS: In this review, we summarise and update current knowledge on alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in order to identify and discuss areas of controversy and formulate questions that need further research. RESULTS: 1) AATD is a highly underdiagnosed condition. Over 120,000 European individuals are estimated to have severe AATD and more than 90% of them are underdiagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: 2) Several clinical and etiological aspects of the disease are yet to be resolved. New strategies for early detection and biomarkers for patient outcome prediction are needed to reduce morbidity and mortality in these patients; 3) Augmentation therapy is the only specific approved therapy that has shown clinical efficacy in delaying the progression of emphysema. Regrettably, some countries reject registration and reimbursement for this treatment because of the lack of larger randomised, placebo-controlled trials. 4) Alternative strategies are currently being investigated, including the use of gene therapy or induced pluripotent stem cells, and non-augmentation strategies to prevent AAT polymerisation inside hepatocytes.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated to systemic erythematosus lupus: molecular characterization of 3 cases. / Hipertensión arterial pulmonar asociada a lupus eritematoso sistémico: caracterización molecular de 3 casos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (PAH-SLE) is a rare disease with a low incidence rate. In this study, PAH related genes and genetic modifiers were characterised molecularly in patients with PAH-SLE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three patients diagnosed with PAH-SLE and 100 control individuals were analysed after signing an informed consent. RESULTS: Two out of the three analysed patients with PAH-SLE were carriers of pathogenic mutations in the genes BMPR2 and ENG. After an in silico analysis, pathogenic mutations were searched for in control individuals and different databases, with negative results, and they were thus functionally analysed. The third patients only showed polymorphisms in the genes BMPR2, ACVRL1 and ENG. Several genetic variants and genetic modifiers were identified in the three analysed patients. These modifiers, along with the pathogenic mutations, could lead to a more severe clinical course in patients with PAH. CONCLUSIONS: We present, for the first time, patients with PAH-SLE carrying pathogenic mutations in the main genes related to PAH and alterations in the genetic modifiers.

A proposal for the withdrawal of inhaled corticosteroids in the clinical practice of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

According to the current clinical practice guidelines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the addition of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) to long-acting ß2 agonist therapy is recommended in patients with moderate-to-severe disease and an increased risk of exacerbations. However, ICS are largely overprescribed in clinical practice, and most patients are unlikely to benefit from long-term ICS therapy.Evidence from recent randomized-controlled trials supports the hypothesis that ICS can be safely and effectively discontinued in patients with stable COPD and in whom ICS therapy may not be indicated, without detrimental effects on lung function, health status, or risk of exacerbations. This article summarizes the evidence supporting the discontinuation of ICS therapy, and proposes an algorithm for the implementation of ICS withdrawal in patients with COPD in clinical practice.Given the increased risk of potentially serious adverse effects and complications with ICS therapy (including pneumonia), the use of ICS should be limited to the minority of patients in whom the treatment effects outweigh the risks.

El fenotipo no exacerbador en la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica: ¿es necesario ir un poco más allá? / Non-exacerbator phenotype in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Should we go a little further?

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Molecular and functional characterization of the BMPR2 gene in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a progressive disease that causes the obstruction of precapillary pulmonary arteries and a sustained increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. The aim was to analyze functionally the variants found in the BMPR2 gene and to establish a genotype-phenotype correlation. mRNA expression studies were performed using pSPL3 vector, studies of subcellular localization were performed using pEGFP-N1 vector and luciferase assays were performed using pGL3-Basic vector. We have identified 30 variants in the BMPR2 gene in 27 of 55 patients. In 16 patients we detected pathogenic mutations. Minigene assays revealed that 6 variants (synonymous, missense) result in splicing defect. By immunofluorescence assay, we observed that 4 mutations affect the protein localization. Finally, 4 mutations located in the 5'UTR region showed a decreased transcriptional activity in luciferase assays. Genotype-phenotype correlation, revealed that patients with pathogenic mutations have a more severe phenotype (sPaP p = 0.042, 6MWT p = 0.041), a lower age at diagnosis (p = 0.040) and seemed to have worse response to phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitors (p = 0.010). Our study confirms that in vitro expression analysis is a suitable approach in order to investigate the phenotypic consequences of the nucleotide variants, especially in cases where the involved genes have a pattern of expression in tissues of difficult access.

Cribado mutacional en genes relacionados con la hipertensión portopulmonar: análisis de 6 casos / Mutational screening in genes related with porto-pulmonary hypertension: an analysis of 6 cases

Introducción. La hipertensión portopulmonar (HPP) es una enfermedad rara de baja incidencia y sin una alteración genética claramente identificada. El principal objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los genes y modificadores genéticos relacionados con la hipertensión arterial pulmonar en pacientes con HPP. Pacientes. Se seleccionaron 6 pacientes diagnosticados de HPP y se amplificaron las regiones exónicas y sus límites intrónicos de los genes y la región de interés en los modificadores genéticos. Resultados. Se analizaron 6 pacientes diagnosticados de HPP y se compararon con 55 individuos sanos. Se identificaron mutaciones potencialmente patogénicas en 5 pacientes en alguno de los genes analizados. Ninguna de estas mutaciones, que se encuentran altamente conservadas a lo largo de la evolución, fue detectada en los controles analizados ni en las diferentes bases de datos consultadas (1000 Genomas, ExAC y DECIPHER). Tras el análisis de los modificadores genéticos encontramos diferentes variaciones que podrían favorecer el desarrollo de la enfermedad. Conclusiones. El análisis genético en esta pequeña serie de pacientes con HPP ha mostrado un elevado número de mutaciones, siendo el gen ENG el que muestra una mayor frecuencia mutacional (AU)

Introduction. Portopulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a rare disease with a low incidence and without a clearly-identified genetic component. The aim of this work was to check genes and genetic modifiers related to pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with PPH in order to clarify the molecular basis of the pathology. Patients. e selected a total of 6 patients with PPH and amplified the exonic regions and intronic flanking regions of the relevant genes and regions of interest of the genetic modifiers. Results. Six patients diagnosed with PPH were analyzed and compared to 55 healthy individuals. Potentially-pathogenic mutations were identified in the analyzed genes of 5 patients. None of these mutations, which are highly conserved throughout evolution, were detected in the control patients nor different databases analyzed (1000 Genomes, ExAC and DECIPHER). After analyzing for genetic modifiers, we found different variations that could favor the onset of the disease. Conclusions. The genetic analysis carried out in this small cohort of patients with PPH revealed a large number of mutations, with the ENG gene showing the greatest mutational frequency (AU)

Mutational screening in genes related with porto-pulmonary hypertension: An analysis of 6 cases. / Cribado mutacional en genes relacionados con la hipertensión portopulmonar: análisis de 6 casos.

INTRODUCTION: Portopulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a rare disease with a low incidence and without a clearly-identified genetic component. The aim of this work was to check genes and genetic modifiers related to pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with PPH in order to clarify the molecular basis of the pathology. PATIENTS: We selected a total of 6 patients with PPH and amplified the exonic regions and intronic flanking regions of the relevant genes and regions of interest of the genetic modifiers. RESULTS: Six patients diagnosed with PPH were analyzed and compared to 55 healthy individuals. Potentially-pathogenic mutations were identified in the analyzed genes of 5 patients. None of these mutations, which are highly conserved throughout evolution, were detected in the control patients nor different databases analyzed (1000 Genomes, ExAC and DECIPHER). After analyzing for genetic modifiers, we found different variations that could favor the onset of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The genetic analysis carried out in this small cohort of patients with PPH revealed a large number of mutations, with the ENG gene showing the greatest mutational frequency.

Complex inheritance in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension patients with several mutations.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a rare and progressive disease with low incidence and prevalence, and elevated mortality. PAH is characterized by increased mean pulmonary artery pressure. The aim of this study was to analyse patients with combined mutations in BMPR2, ACVRL1, ENG and KCNA5 genes and to establish a genotype-phenotype correlation. Major genes were analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. Genotype-phenotype correlation was performed. Fifty-seven (28 idiopathic PAH, 29 associated PAH group I) were included. Several mutations in different genes, classified as pathogenic by in silico analysis, were present in 26% of PAH patients. The most commonly involved gene was BMPR2 (12 patients) followed by ENG gene (9 patients). ACVRL1 and KCNA5 genes showed very low incidence of mutations (5 and 1 patients, respectively). Genotype-phenotype correlation showed statistically significant differences for gender (p = 0.045), age at diagnosis (p = 0.035), pulmonary vascular resistance (p = 0.030), cardiac index (p = 0.035) and absence of response to treatment (p = 0.011). PAH is consequence of a heterogeneous constellation of genetic arrangements. Patients with several pathogenic mutations seem to display a more severe phenotype.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with hereditary spherocytosis and splenectomy in a patient with a mutation in the BMPR2 gene.

There is some question about the relationship between hereditary spherocytosis (HS) and pulmonary arterial hypertension, even associated with splenectomy. The finding of BMPR2 mutations in our patient suggests that other factors are necessary for the development of the disease, and perhaps, the incidence of pulmonary hypertension is not increased in patients with HS.

Mutational and clinical analysis of the ENG gene in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare vascular disorder characterized by a capillary wedge pressure ≤ 15 mmHg and a mean pulmonary arterial pressure ≥ 25 mmHg at rest. PAH can be idiopathic, heritable or associated with other conditions. The aim of this study was to analyze the Endoglin (ENG) gene and assess the influence of the c.572G > A (p.G191D) mutation in patients with idiopathic or associated PAH. The correlation between the pathogenic mutations and clinical and functional parameters was further analyzed. RESULTS: Sixteen different changes in the ENG gene were found in 44 out of 57 patients. After in silico analysis, we classified eight mutations as pathogenic in 16 of patients. The c.572G>A (p.G191D) variation was observed in ten patients, and the analysis for the splicing process using hybrid minigenes, with pSPL3 vector to assess splicing alterations, do not generate a new transcript. Age at diagnosis (p = 0.049) and the 6-min walking test (p = 0.041) exhibited statistically significant differences between carriers and non-carriers of pathogenic mutations. Patients with pathogenic mutations exhibited disease symptoms 8 years before non-carriers. Five patients with pathogenic mutations were carriers of another mutation in the BMPR2 or ACVRL1 genes. CONCLUSIONS: We present a series of PAH patients with mutations in the ENG gene, some of them not previously described, exhibiting clinical and hemodynamic alterations suggesting that the presence of these mutations may be associated with the severity of the disease. Moreover, genetic analysis in patients with PAH may be of clinical relevance and indicates the complexity of the genetic background.

Análisis de la metilación de la región promotora del gen BMPR2 en pacientes con hipertensión arterial pulmonar / Methylation Analysis of the BMPR2 Gene Promoter Region in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Introducción: La hipertensión arterial pulmonar es una enfermedad infrecuente caracterizada por una obstrucción progresiva de las arterias pulmonares. El receptor tipo II de la proteína ósea morfogenética (BMPR2) es el principal gen relacionado con esta enfermedad. EL objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar el patrón de metilación de la región promotora del gen BMPR2 en individuos con hipertensión arterial pulmonar y controles. Métodos: Se analizó la región a estudio con los softwares Methyl Primer Express® v.1.0 y MatInspector. El ADN genómico, obtenido a partir de sangre periférica, fue modificado con bisulfito de sodio. La metilación se analizó utilizando PCR específica de metilación. Como control positivo de metilación se utilizó ADN tratado con CpG metiltransferasa y como control positivo de expresión se utilizó ADN del cultivo celular H1299. Resultados: Se ha identificado una isla CpG susceptible de presentar metilación en la región promotora del gen que contiene secuencias específicas como sitios de unión a factores de trascripción NIT-2 (global-acting regulatory protein), sex-determining region Y y heat shock factor. No se han encontrado indicios de metilación en los pacientes ni en los controles. En las células H1299, que expresan el gen BMPR2, no se ha identificado metilación en la isla CpG analizada. Conclusiones: No se detectaron indicios de metilación en la región promotora a estudio en pacientes y controles, siendo esta la región más adecuada para realizar el estudio debido al alto número de sitios de unión a factores de transcripción que podrían estar involucrados en la correcta funcionalidad del gen

Introduction: Pulmonary arterial hypertension is characterizated by obstruction of the pulmonary arteries. The gene mainly related to pathology is the bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II(BMPR2). The aim of this study was to analyze the methylation pattern of the BMPR2promoter region in patients and controls. Methods: We used Methyl Primer Express® v.1.0 and MatInspector softwares to analyze this region. Genomic DNA obtained from the peripheral blood of patients and controls was modified with sodium bisulphite. Methylation was analyzed using methylation-specific PCR. DNA treated with CpG methyltransferase was used as a positive control for methylation and H1299 cell culture DNA was used as positive control for gene expression. Results: We identified a CpG island, which may have been methylated, in the BMPR2 promoter region, in addition to NIT-2 (global-acting regulatory protein), sex-determining region Y) and heat shock factor transcription factor binding sites. We found no evidence of methylation in patients and controls. No methylated CpG sites were identified in H1299 cells expressing theBMPR2 gene. Conclusions: The BMPR2 promoter region is the most suitable for study because of the high number of transcription factor binding sites that could alter gene function. No evidence of methylation was detected in this region in patients and controls

Hipertensión arterial pulmonar asociada a infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana: análisis de 4 casos / Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection: study of 4 cases

Fundamentos y objetivos: La hipertensión arterial pulmonar (HAP) es una enfermedad rara y progresiva que se puede heredar de forma autosómica dominante. Los genes BMPR2, ACVRL1 y ENG son los principales relacionados con la enfermedad. La HAP asociada al virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) es otra enfermedad rara con una incidencia, prevalencia y supervivencia muy bajas. El principal objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar las características clínicas y moleculares de pacientes con HAP asociada al VIH. Pacientes: Presentamos 4 casos de pacientes con VIH que han desarrollado HAP y han sido tratados con ambrisentan. Resultados: Se han identificado mutaciones patogénicas en los genes analizados en 3 de los 4 pacientes estudiados. Asimismo, estos pacientes presentan otros cambios clasificados como benignos tras un exhaustivo análisis in silico. Tras el análisis de los modificadores genéticos se han identificado cambios que predisponen a los pacientes a padecer un fenotipo más grave. Conclusiones: El análisis clínico nos ayudará a definir un seguimiento para estos pacientes y a la administración de un tratamiento adecuado. Asimismo, estos pacientes han mostrado un elevado número de mutaciones patogénicas (AU)

Background and objective: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and progressive disease that can be inherited as autosomal dominant form. The BMPR2, ACVRL1 and ENG genes are main genes involved in the pathology. PAH associated to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is another rare disease with a low incidence, prevalence and survival. The main objective of this analysis was to study the clinical and molecular characteristics of PAH associated to HIV patients. Patients: We present 4 cases of HIV patients who developed PAH and have been treated with ambrisentan. Results: Pathogenic mutations have been identify in analyzed genes in 3 of the four analyzed patients. In addition, these patients present other changes classified as benign after a thorough in silico analysis. We identified some changes in genetic modifiers that predispose to these patients to more severe phenotype. Conclusions: The clinical analysis can help to define monitoring for these patients and the administration of appropriate treatment. These patients also have shown several pathogenic mutations (AU)