RESUMO
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease with no curative pharmacological treatment. Current preclinical models fail to accurately reproduce human pathophysiology and are therefore poor predictors of clinical outcomes. Here, we investigated whether the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay supports the implantation of xenografts derived from IPF lung tissue and primary IPF lung fibroblasts and can be used to evaluate the efficacy of antifibrotic drugs. We demonstrate that IPF xenografts maintain their integrity and are perfused with chick embryo blood. Size measurements indicate that the xenografts amplify on the CAM, and Ki67 and pro-collagen type I immunohistochemical staining highlight the presence of proliferative and functional cells in the xenografts. Moreover, the IPF phenotype and immune microenvironment of lung tissues are retained when cultivated on the CAM and the fibroblast xenografts mimic invasive IPF fibroblastic foci. Daily treatments of the xenografts with nintedanib and PBI-4050 significantly reduce their size, fibrosis-associated gene expression, and collagen deposition. Similar effects are found with GLPG1205 and fenofibric acid, two drugs that target the immune microenvironment. Our CAM-IPF model represents the first in vivo model of IPF that uses human lung tissue. This rapid and cost-effective assay could become a valuable tool for predicting the efficacy of antifibrotic drug candidates for IPF.
Assuntos
Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática , Animais , Embrião de Galinha , Membrana Corioalantoide/metabolismo , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Fibrose , Humanos , Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática/metabolismo , Pulmão/patologiaRESUMO
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death and cigarette smoke is the main risk factor. Detecting its earliest stages and preventing a decline in lung function are key goals. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex but has some similarities to cystic fibrosis (CF), a disease caused by mutations in the cftr gene. CF leads to chronic inflammation, abnormal mucus, and cycles of infection. Cigarette smoke exposure also causes CFTR dysfunction, and it is probably not a coincidence that inflammation, mucus obstruction, and infections are also characteristics of COPD, although the exacerbations can be quite different. We review here the acute effects of cigarette smoke on CFTR function and its potential role in COPD. Understanding CFTR regulation by cigarette smoke may identify novel drug targets and facilitate the development of therapeutics that reduce the progression and severity of COPD.
Assuntos
Fumar Cigarros , Fibrose Cística , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica , Humanos , Regulador de Condutância Transmembrana em Fibrose Cística/genética , Fumar Cigarros/efeitos adversos , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica/genética , Fibrose Cística/genética , Nicotiana , InflamaçãoRESUMO
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by abnormal fibroblast accumulation in the lung leading to extracellular matrix deposition and remodeling that compromise lung function. However, the mechanisms of interstitial invasion and remodeling by lung fibroblasts remain poorly understood. The invadosomes, initially described in cancer cells, consist of actin-based adhesive structures that coordinate with numerous other proteins to form a membrane protrusion capable of degrading the extracellular matrix to promote their invasive phenotype. In this regard, we hypothesized that invadosome formation may be increased in lung fibroblasts from patients with IPF. Public RNAseq datasets from control and IPF lung tissues were used to identify differentially expressed genes associated with invadosomes. Lung fibroblasts isolated from bleomycin-exposed mice and IPF patients were seeded with and without the two approved drugs for treating IPF, nintedanib or pirfenidone on fluorescent gelatin-coated coverslips for invadosome assays. Several matrix and invadosome-associated genes were increased in IPF tissues and in IPF fibroblastic foci. Invadosome formation was significantly increased in lung fibroblasts isolated from bleomycin-exposed mice and IPF patients. The degree of lung fibrosis found in IPF tissues correlated strongly with invadosome production by neighboring cells. Nintedanib suppressed IPF and PDGF-activated lung fibroblast invadosome formation, an event associated with inhibition of the PDGFR/PI3K/Akt pathway and TKS5 expression. Fibroblasts derived from IPF lung tissues express a pro-invadosomal phenotype, which correlates with the severity of fibrosis and is responsive to antifibrotic treatment.
Assuntos
Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática , Podossomos , Camundongos , Animais , Podossomos/metabolismo , Fosfatidilinositol 3-Quinases/metabolismo , Pulmão/patologia , Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática/metabolismo , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Fibrose , Bleomicina/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
Rare diseases affect 400 million individuals worldwide and cause significant morbidity and mortality. Finding solutions for rare diseases can be very challenging for physicians and researchers. Cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic, autosomal recessive, multisystemic, life-limiting disease does not escape this sad reality. Despite phenomenal progress in our understanding of this disease, treatment remains difficult. Until recently, therapies for CF individuals were focused on symptom management. The discovery of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene and its product, a protein present at the apical surface of epithelial cells regulating ion transport, allowed the scientific community to learn about the basic defect in CF and to study potential therapies targeting the dysfunctional protein. In the past few years, promising therapies with the goal to restore CFTR function became available and changed the lives of several CF patients. These medications, called CFTR modulators, aim to correct, potentialize, stabilize or amplify CFTR function. Furthermore, research is ongoing to develop other targeted therapies that could be more efficient and benefit a larger proportion of the CF community. The purpose of this review is to summarize our current knowledge of CF genetics and therapies restoring CFTR function, particularly CFTR modulators and gene therapy.
Assuntos
Regulador de Condutância Transmembrana em Fibrose Cística/genética , Fibrose Cística/terapia , Terapia Genética , Mutação , Fibrose Cística/genética , Fibrose Cística/metabolismo , Humanos , Transporte de ÍonsRESUMO
PBI-4050 is a novel orally active small-molecule compound with demonstrated anti-fibrotic activity in several models of fibrosis, including lung fibrosis. We present results from our first clinical study of PBI-4050 in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).This 12-week open-label study explored the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of daily oral doses of 800â mg PBI-4050 alone and in combination with nintedanib or pirfenidone in patients with predominantly mild or moderate IPF. Nine patients received PBI-4050 alone, 16 patients received PBI-4050 with nintedanib and 16 patients received PBI-4050 with pirfenidone.PBI-4050 alone or in combination with nintedanib or pirfenidone was well tolerated. Pharmacokinetic profiles for PBI-4050 were similar in the PBI-4050 alone and PBI-4050+nintedanib groups but reduced in the PBI-4050+pirfenidone group, suggesting a drug-drug interaction. There were no significant changes in forced vital capacity (FVC), either in % predicted or mL, from baseline to week 12 for PBI-4050 alone or PBI-4050+nintedanib. In contrast, a statistically significant reduction (p<0.024) in FVC % pred was seen for PBI-4050+pirfenidone after 12â weeks.There were no safety concerns with PBI-4050 alone or in combination with nintedanib or pirfenidone in IPF patients. The stability of FVC between baseline and week 12 looked encouraging for PBI-4050 alone and in combination with nintedanib.
Assuntos
Acetatos/administração & dosagem , Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática/tratamento farmacológico , Acetatos/farmacocinética , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Quimioterapia Combinada , Feminino , Humanos , Indóis/administração & dosagem , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Segurança do Paciente , Piridonas/administração & dosagem , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common, life-threatening, multisystemic, autosomal recessive disorder. In the last few years, giant steps have been made with regard to the understanding of CF pathophysiology, allowing the scientific community to propose mechanisms that cause the myriad of CF clinical manifestations. Following the discovery of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene in 1989, the structure and function of the CFTR protein were described. Since then, more than 2,000 variants of the CFTR gene and their impact on the amount and function of the CFTR protein have been reported. The role of the CFTR protein as an ion channel transporting chloride and bicarbonate and its repercussions on different epithelial cell-lined organs and mucus are now better understood. Mechanisms behind susceptibility to infection in CF have also been proposed and include abnormalities in the composition, volume and acidity of the airway surface liquid, changes in the submucosal gland's anatomy and function, and deficiencies in the mucociliary clearance system. Numerous hypotheses explaining the excessive inflammatory response in CF are also debated and involve impaired mucociliary clearance, persistent hypoxia, lipid abnormalities, protease and antiprotease disproportion, and oxidant and antioxidant imbalance. The purpose of this review is to summarize our current knowledge of CF pathophysiology, including significant historic discoveries and most recent breakthroughs, and to improve understanding and awareness of this fatal disease.
Assuntos
Regulador de Condutância Transmembrana em Fibrose Cística/metabolismo , Fibrose Cística/fisiopatologia , Pulmão/fisiopatologia , Animais , Fibrose Cística/genética , Fibrose Cística/metabolismo , Regulador de Condutância Transmembrana em Fibrose Cística/genética , Humanos , Inflamação , Pulmão/metabolismo , Depuração Mucociliar , Infecções RespiratóriasRESUMO
Air pollution stimulates airway epithelial secretion through a cholinergic reflex that is unaffected in cystic fibrosis (CF), yet a strong correlation is observed between passive smoke exposure in the home and impaired lung function in CF children. Our aim was to study the effects of low smoke concentrations on cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function in vitro. Cigarette smoke extract stimulated robust anion secretion that was transient, mediated by CFTR, and dependent on cAMP-dependent protein kinase activation. Secretion was initiated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mediated by at least two distinct pathways: autocrine activation of EP4 prostanoid receptors and stimulation of Ca2+ store-operated cAMP signaling. The response was absent in cells expressing the most common disease-causing mutant F508del-CFTR. In addition to the initial secretion, prolonged exposure of non-CF bronchial epithelial cells to low levels of smoke also caused a gradual decline in CFTR functional expression. F508del-CFTR channels that had been rescued by the CF drug combination VX-809 (lumacaftor) + VX-770 (ivacaftor) were more sensitive to this downregulation than wild-type CFTR. The results suggest that CFTR-mediated secretion during acute cigarette smoke exposure initially protects the airway epithelium while prolonged exposure reduces CFTR functional expression and reduces the efficacy of CF drugs.
Assuntos
Brônquios/efeitos dos fármacos , AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Regulador de Condutância Transmembrana em Fibrose Cística/agonistas , Células Epiteliais/efeitos dos fármacos , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Poluição por Fumaça de Tabaco/efeitos adversos , Aminofenóis/farmacologia , Aminopiridinas/farmacologia , Comunicação Autócrina/efeitos dos fármacos , Benzodioxóis/farmacologia , Brônquios/metabolismo , Brônquios/patologia , Sinalização do Cálcio/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular , Fibrose Cística/tratamento farmacológico , Fibrose Cística/genética , Fibrose Cística/metabolismo , Fibrose Cística/patologia , Regulador de Condutância Transmembrana em Fibrose Cística/genética , Regulador de Condutância Transmembrana em Fibrose Cística/metabolismo , Células Epiteliais/metabolismo , Células Epiteliais/patologia , Humanos , Mutação , Quinolonas/farmacologia , Receptores de Prostaglandina E Subtipo EP4/agonistas , Receptores de Prostaglandina E Subtipo EP4/metabolismo , Sistemas do Segundo Mensageiro/efeitos dos fármacos , Via Secretória/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) supplementations are thought to improve essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) as well as reduce inflammation in Cystic Fibrosis (CF), but their effectiveness in clinical studies remains unknown. The aim of the study was to determine how the medical food containing docosahexaenoic acid monoglyceride (MAG-DHA) influenced erythrocyte fatty acid profiles and the expression levels of inflammatory circulating mediators. We conducted a randomized, double blind, pilot trial including fifteen outpatients with Cystic Fibrosis, ages 18â»48. The patients were divided into 2 groups and received MAG-DHA or a placebo (sunflower oil) for 60 days. Patients took 8 × 625 mg MAG-DHA softgels or 8 × 625 mg placebo softgels every day at bedtime for 60 days. Lipid analyses revealed that MAG-DHA increased docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels and decrease arachidonic acid (AA) ratio (AA/DHA) in erythrocytes of CF patients following 1 month of daily supplementation. Data also revealed a reduction in plasma human leukocyte elastase (pHLE) complexes and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression levels in blood samples of MAG-DHA supplemented CF patients. This pilot study indicates that MAG-DHA supplementation corrects erythrocyte AA/DHA imbalance and may exert anti-inflammatory properties through the reduction of pHLE complexes and IL6 in blood samples of CF patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Pro-resolving Effect of MAG-DHA in Cystic Fibrosis (PREMDIC), NCT02518672.
Assuntos
Anti-Inflamatórios/uso terapêutico , Fibrose Cística/tratamento farmacológico , Eritrócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Alimentos Formulados , Monoglicerídeos/uso terapêutico , Adulto , Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Ácido Araquidônico/sangue , Ácido Araquidônico/metabolismo , Fibrose Cística/sangue , Fibrose Cística/metabolismo , Ácidos Docosa-Hexaenoicos/sangue , Ácidos Docosa-Hexaenoicos/metabolismo , Método Duplo-Cego , Eritrócitos/metabolismo , Ácidos Graxos/metabolismo , Humanos , Interleucina-6/sangue , Elastase de Leucócito/sangue , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Monoglicerídeos/farmacologia , Projetos Piloto , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Isoliquiritigenin (1) possesses a variety of biological activities in vitro. However, its poor aqueous solubility limits its use for subsequent in vivo experimentation. In order to enable the use of 1 for in vivo studies without the use of toxic carriers or cosolvents, a phosphate prodrug strategy was implemented relying on the availability of phenol groups in the molecule. In this study, a phosphate group was added to position C-4 of 1, leading to the more water-soluble prodrug 2 and its ammonium salt 3, which possesses increased stability compared to 2. Herein are reported the synthesis, characterization, solubility, and stability of phosphate prodrug 3 in biological medium in comparison to 1, as well as new results on its anti-inflammatory properties in vivo. As designed, the solubility of prodrug 3 was superior to that of the parent natural product 1 (9.6 mg/mL as opposed to 3.9 µg/mL). Prodrug 3 as an ammonium salt was also found to possess excellent stability as a solid and in aqueous solution, as opposed to its phosphoric acid precursor 2.
Assuntos
Chalconas/farmacologia , Organofosfatos/síntese química , Pró-Fármacos/síntese química , Compostos de Amônio Quaternário/farmacologia , Animais , Chalconas/química , Glycyrrhiza/química , Estrutura Molecular , Organofosfatos/química , Organofosfatos/farmacologia , Pró-Fármacos/química , Compostos de Amônio Quaternário/química , Solubilidade , ÁguaRESUMO
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary, chronic disease of the exocrine glands, characterized by the production of viscid mucus that obstructs the pancreatic ducts and bronchi, leading to infection and fibrosis. ω3 fatty acid supplementations are known to improve the essential fatty acid deficiency as well as reduce inflammation in CF. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of docosahexaenoic acid monoacylglyceride (MAG-DHA) on mucin overproduction and resolution of airway inflammation in two in vitro models related to CF. Isolated human bronchi reverse permeabilized with CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) silencing (si) RNA and stable Calu3 cells expressing a short hairpin (sh) RNA directed against CFTR (shCFTR) were used. Lipid analyses revealed that MAG-DHA increased DHA/arachidonic acid (AA) ratio in shCFTR Calu-3 cells. MAG-DHA treatments, moreover, resulted in a decreased activation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa LPS-induced NF-κB in CF and non-CF Calu-3 cells. Data also revealed a reduction in MUC5AC, IL-6, and IL-8 expression levels in MAG-DHA-treated shCFTR cells stimulated, or not, with LPS. Antiinflammatory properties of MAG-DHA were also investigated in a reverse-permeabilized human bronchi model with CFTR siRNA. After MAG-DHA treatments, messenger RNA transcript levels for MUC5AC, IL-6, and IL-8 were markedly reduced in LPS-treated CFTR siRNA bronchi. MAG-DHA displays antiinflammatory properties and reduces mucin overexpression in Calu-3 cells and human bronchi untreated or treated with P. aeruginosa LPS, a finding consistent with the effects of resolvinD1, a known antiinflammatory mediator.
Assuntos
Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Fibrose Cística/tratamento farmacológico , Monoglicerídeos/farmacologia , Brônquios/patologia , Linhagem Celular , Fibrose Cística/imunologia , Fibrose Cística/metabolismo , Regulador de Condutância Transmembrana em Fibrose Cística/metabolismo , Avaliação Pré-Clínica de Medicamentos , Humanos , Interleucina-6/metabolismo , Interleucina-8/metabolismo , Lipopolissacarídeos/farmacologia , Pulmão/patologia , Mucina-5AC/metabolismo , NF-kappa B/metabolismo , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
This study investigated the antibacterial activity of the plant alkaloid tomatidine (TO) against Staphylococcus aureus grown in the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Since the P. aeruginosa exoproduct 4-hydroxy-2-heptylquinoline-N-oxide (HQNO) is known to cause a respiratory deficiency in S. aureus and respiratory-deficient S. aureus are known to be hypersensitive to TO, we assessed kill kinetics of TO (8 µg/ml) against S. aureus in coculture with P. aeruginosa. Kill kinetics were also assessed using P. aeruginosa mutants deficient in the production of different exoproducts and quorum sensing-related compounds. After 24 h in coculture, TO increased the killing of S. aureus by 3.4 log10 CFU/ml in comparison to that observed in a coculture without TO. The effect of TO was abolished when S. aureus was in coculture with the lasR rhlR, pqsA, pqsL, or lasA mutant of P. aeruginosa. The bactericidal effect of TO against S. aureus in coculture with the pqsL mutant was restored by supplemental HQNO. In an S. aureus monoculture, the combination of HQNO and TO was bacteriostatic, indicating that the pqsL mutant produced an additional factor required for the bactericidal effect. The bactericidal activity of TO was also observed against a tobramycin-resistant methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in coculture with P. aeruginosa, and the addition of tobramycin significantly suppressed the growth of both microorganisms. TO shows a strong bactericidal effect against S. aureus when cocultured with P. aeruginosa. The combination of TO and tobramycin may represent a new treatment approach for cystic fibrosis patients frequently cocolonized by MRSA and P. aeruginosa.
Assuntos
Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente à Meticilina/efeitos dos fármacos , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/efeitos dos fármacos , Tobramicina/farmacologia , Tomatina/análogos & derivados , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Técnicas de Cocultura , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Hidroxiquinolinas/metabolismo , Metaloproteases/genética , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Mutação , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/genética , Percepção de Quorum , Tomatina/farmacologia , Transativadores/genética , Fatores de Virulência/genéticaRESUMO
The host response to influenza virus infection is characterized by an acute lung inflammatory response in which intense inflammatory cell recruitment, hypercytokinemia, and a high level of oxidative stress are present. The sum of these events contributes to the virus-induced lung damage that leads to high a level of morbidity and mortality in susceptible infected patients. In this context, we identified compounds that can simultaneously reduce the excessive inflammatory response and the viral replication as a strategy to treat influenza virus infection. We investigated the anti-inflammatory and antiviral potential activities of isoliquiritigenin (ILG). Interestingly, we demonstrated that ILG is a potent inhibitor of influenza virus replication in human bronchial epithelial cells (50% effective concentration [EC50] = 24.7 µM). In addition, our results showed that this molecule inhibits the expression of inflammatory cytokines induced after the infection of cells with influenza virus. We demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory activity of ILG in the context of influenza virus infection is dependent on the activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma pathway. Interestingly, ILG phosphate (ILG-p)-treated mice displayed decreased lung inflammation as depicted by reduced cytokine gene expression and inflammatory cell recruitment. We also demonstrated that influenza virus-specific CD8(+) effector T cell recruitment was reduced up to 60% in the lungs of mice treated with ILG-p (10 mg/kg) compared to that in saline-treated mice. Finally, we showed that administration of ILG-p reduced lung viral titers and morbidity of mice infected with the PR8/H1N1 virus.
Assuntos
Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Antivirais/farmacologia , Chalconas/farmacologia , Pulmão/efeitos dos fármacos , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae/tratamento farmacológico , Pneumonia/tratamento farmacológico , Animais , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/efeitos dos fármacos , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/imunologia , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/virologia , Linhagem Celular , Quimiocina CCL5/genética , Quimiocina CCL5/imunologia , Células Epiteliais/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Epiteliais/imunologia , Células Epiteliais/virologia , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H1N1/efeitos dos fármacos , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H1N1/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Interferon gama/genética , Interferon gama/imunologia , Interleucina-1beta/genética , Interleucina-1beta/imunologia , Interleucina-6/genética , Interleucina-6/imunologia , Pulmão/imunologia , Pulmão/patologia , Pulmão/virologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae/imunologia , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae/patologia , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae/virologia , PPAR gama/genética , PPAR gama/imunologia , Pneumonia/imunologia , Pneumonia/patologia , Pneumonia/virologia , Transdução de Sinais , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/genética , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/imunologia , Carga Viral/efeitos dos fármacos , Replicação Viral/efeitos dos fármacosAssuntos
Fibrose Cística/complicações , Fibrose Cística/epidemiologia , Infecções por Pseudomonas/epidemiologia , Infecções por Pseudomonas/etiologia , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/genética , Farmacorresistência Bacteriana , Humanos , Filogenia , Vigilância da População , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/efeitos dos fármacos , Quebeque/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Lung parenchymal hypoxia has emerged as a cardinal feature of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Hypoxia promotes cancer cell invasion and metastasis through signaling that is dependent upon the lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor, LPA1 (LPAR1). Abundant data indicate that LPA1-dependent signaling also enhances lung fibrogenesis in IPF. We recently reported that fibroblasts isolated from the lungs of individuals with IPF have an increased capacity to form subcellular matrix-degradative structures known as invadosomes, an event that correlates with the degree of lung fibrosis. We therefore hypothesized that hypoxia promotes invadosome formation in lung fibroblasts through LPA1-dependent signaling. Here, it is demonstrated that invadosome formation by fibroblasts from the lungs of individuals with advanced IPF is inhibited by both the tyrosine receptor kinase inhibitor nintedanib and inhibition of LPA1. In addition, exposure of normal human lung fibroblasts to either hypoxia or LPA increased their ability to form invadosomes. Mechanistically, the hypoxia-induced invadosome formation by lung fibroblasts was found to involve LPA1 and PDGFR-Akt signaling. We concluded that hypoxia increases the formation of invadosomes in lung fibroblasts through the LPA1 and PDGFR-Akt signaling axis, which represents a potential target for suppressing lung fibrosis.
Assuntos
Fibroblastos , Pulmão , Podossomos , Receptores de Ácidos Lisofosfatídicos , Transdução de Sinais , Humanos , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Fibroblastos/patologia , Pulmão/patologia , Pulmão/metabolismo , Podossomos/metabolismo , Receptores de Ácidos Lisofosfatídicos/metabolismo , Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática/patologia , Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática/metabolismo , Hipóxia Celular , Lisofosfolipídeos/metabolismo , Indóis/farmacologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-akt/metabolismo , Receptores do Fator de Crescimento Derivado de Plaquetas/metabolismoRESUMO
Background: Individuals affected by the post-covid condition (PCC) show an increased fatigue and the so-called post-exertion malaise (PEM) that led health professionals to advise against exercise although accumulating evidence indicates the contrary. The goal of this study is to determine the impact of a closely monitored 8-week mixed exercise program on physical capacity, symptoms, fatigue, systemic oxidative stress and plasma proteomic profiles of PCC cases. Methods: Twenty-five women and men with PCC were assigned sequentially to exercise (n = 15) and non-exercise (n = 10) groups. Individuals with no PCC served as a control group. The exercise program included cardiovascular and resistance exercises. Physical capacity, physical activity level and the presence of common PCC symptoms were measured before and after the intervention. Fatigue was measured the day following each exercise session. Plasma and PBMC samples were collected at the beginning and end of the training program. Glutathione and deoxyguanosine levels in PBMC and plasma proteomic profiles were evaluated. Results: Bicep Curl (+15% vs 4%; p = 0.040) and Sit-to-Stand test (STS-30 (+31% vs +11%; p = 0.043)) showed improvement in the exercise group when compared to the non-exercise group. An interaction effect was also observed for the level of physical activity (p =0.007) with a positive effect of the program on their daily functioning and without any adverse effects on general or post-effort fatigue. After exercise, glutathione levels in PBMCs increased in women but remained unchanged in men. Discernable changes were observed in the plasma proteomics profile with certain proteins involved in inflammatory response decreasing in the exercise group. Conclusions: Supervised exercise adapted to the level of fatigue and ability is safe and effective in PCC patients in improving their general physical capacity and wellbeing. Systemic molecular markers that accompany physical improvement can be monitored by analyzing plasma proteomics and markers of oxidative stress. Large-scale studies will help identify promising molecular markers to objectively monitor patient improvement.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Growing evidence indicates that influenza pathogenicity relates to altered immune responses and hypercytokinemia. Therefore, dampening the excessive inflammatory response induced after infection might reduce influenza morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Considering this, we investigated the effect of the anti-inflammatory molecule 15-deoxy-Δ(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2) (15d-PGJ(2)) in a mouse model of lethal influenza infection. RESULTS: Administration of 15d-PGJ(2) on day 1 after infection, but not on day 0, protected 79% of mice against lethal influenza infection. In addition, this treatment considerably reduced the morbidity associated with severe influenza infection. Our results also showed that treatment with 15d-PGJ(2) decreased influenza-induced lung inflammation, as shown by the diminished gene expression of several proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Unexpectedly, 15d-PGJ(2) also markedly reduced the viral load in the lungs of infected mice. This could be attributed to maintained type I interferon gene expression levels after treatment. Interestingly, pretreatment of mice with a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) antagonist before 15d-PGJ(2) administration completely abrogated its protective effect against influenza infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate for the first time that treatment of mice with 15d-PGJ(2) reduces influenza morbidity and mortality through activation of the PPARγ pathway. PPARγ agonists could thus represent a potential therapeutic avenue for influenza infections.
Assuntos
Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae/mortalidade , Pneumonia/patologia , Prostaglandina D2/análogos & derivados , Animais , Citocinas/metabolismo , Feminino , Pulmão/patologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae/patologia , PPAR gama/antagonistas & inibidores , PPAR gama/imunologia , Pneumonia/prevenção & controle , Prostaglandina D2/farmacologia , Análise de SobrevidaRESUMO
Prototypic Staphylococcus aureus and their small-colony variants (SCVs) are predominant in cystic fibrosis (CF), but the interdependence of these phenotypes is poorly understood. We characterized S. aureus isolates from adult CF patients over several years. Of 18 S. aureus-positive patients (58%), 13 (72%) were positive for SCVs. Characterization included genotyping, SCCmec types, auxotrophy, biofilm production, antibiotic susceptibilities and tolerance, and resistance acquisition rates. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that several patients were colonized with prototypical and SCV-related clones. Some clonal pairs showed acquisition of aminoglycoside resistance that was not explained by aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes, suggesting a mutation-based process. The characteristics of SCVs that could play a role in resistance acquisition were thus investigated further. For instance, SCV isolates produced more biofilm (p < 0.05) and showed a higher survival rate upon exposure to ciprofloxacin and vancomycin compared to their prototypic associated clones. SCVs also developed spontaneous rifampicin resistance mutations at a higher frequency. Accordingly, a laboratory-derived SCV (ΔhemB) acquired resistance to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin faster than its parent counterpart after serial passages in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics. These results suggest a role for SCVs in the establishment of persistent antibiotic-resistant clones in adult CF patients.