American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
-
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Nov 2014
Risk of Tuberculosis After Recent Exposure: a 10-year Follow-up Study of Contacts in Amsterdam.
The lifetime risk of tuberculosis (TB) for infected contacts is often mentioned to be 5-10%, but these estimates are based on studies conducted decades ago, and thus may not reflect current epidemiologic conditions. ⋯ Five-year risk of TB among contacts with evidence of infection was higher compared with older estimates, and differed considerably by age. Incidence of TB among contacts with LTBI was low, suggesting limited impact may be expected of expanding preventive therapy.
-
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Nov 2014
Interleukin-26 in Antibacterial Host Defense of Human Lungs: Effects on Neutrophil Mobilization.
The role of the presumed Th17 cytokine IL-26 in antibacterial host defense of the lungs is not known. ⋯ This study implies that alveolar macrophages produce IL-26, which stimulates receptors on neutrophils and focuses their mobilization toward bacteria and accumulated immune cells in human lungs.
-
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Nov 2014
Network Analysis in the Investigation of Chronic Respiratory Diseases: from Basics to Application.
Chronic respiratory diseases are complex multifactorial disorders whose pathogenesis depends on the interplay between host and environmental factors. To fully understand them and to identify novel treatments, a holistic approach that integrates multiple types and levels of clinical and biological data is necessary. ⋯ Accordingly, this Pulmonary Perspective: (1) outlines the basic concepts of networks in biology and the fundamentals of network analysis, and (2) discusses recent applications of network analysis to understand respiratory diseases. The intent of this Perspective is to provide readers with increased understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of network analysis methods as well as their usefulness in addressing research questions involving chronic respiratory diseases.
-
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Nov 2014
Lung-residing Myeloid-derived Suppressors Display Dual Functionality in Murine Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
Myeloid cells encompass distinct populations with unique functions during homeostasis and disease. Recently, a novel subset of innate cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), has been described in cancer, which suppresses T-cell responses and fosters disease progression. The role of MDSCs in infection is insufficiently addressed. ⋯ Our data reveal that MDSCs provide a niche for pathogen survival and tailor immunity in TB. These findings suggest MDSCs as amenable targets for host-directed therapies and emphasize them as cellular-immune regulators during chronic inflammatory conditions, including chronic infections and microbial complications of neoplastic disorders.