American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
-
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Nov 2016
Airway Microbiota Determines Innate Cell Inflammatory or Tissue Remodeling Profiles in Lung Transplantation.
In lung transplant recipients, long-term graft survival relies on the control of inflammation and tissue remodeling to maintain graft functionality and avoid chronic lung allograft dysfunction. Although advances in clinical practice have improved transplant success, the mechanisms by which the balance between inflammation and remodeling is maintained are largely unknown. ⋯ The crosstalk between bacterial communities and innate immune cells potentially determines the function of the transplanted lung offering novel pathways for intervention strategies.
-
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Nov 2016
Plasma Surfactant Protein-D, Matrix Metalloproteinase-7, and Osteopontin Index Distinguishes Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis From Other Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, fatal interstitial lung disease (ILD) characterized by abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. We hypothesized that ECM remodeling might result in a plasma profile of proteins specific for IPF that could distinguish patients with IPF from other idiopathic ILDs. ⋯ A biomarker index of SP-D, MMP-7, and osteopontin enhanced diagnostic accuracy in patients with IPF compared with those with non-IPF ILD. Our data suggest that this biomarker index may improve diagnostic confidence in IPF.
-
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Nov 2016
Progranulin Plays a Central Role in Host Defense During Sepsis by Promoting Macrophage Recruitment.
Progranulin, a widely expressed protein, has multiple physiological functions. The functional role of progranulin in the host response to sepsis remains unknown. ⋯ This proof-of-concept study supports a central role of progranulin-dependent macrophage recruitment in host defense to sepsis, opening new opportunities to host-directed therapeutic strategy that manipulate host immune response in the treatment of sepsis.
-
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Nov 2016
Role for RUNX2 in Proliferative and Calcified Vascular Lesions in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by excessive proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). This is sustained in time by the down-regulation of microRNA (miR)-204. In systemic vascular diseases, reduced miR-204 expression promotes vascular biomineralization by augmenting the expression of the transcription factor Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). Implication of RUNX2 in PAH-related vascular remodeling and presence of calcified lesions in PAH remain unexplored. ⋯ RUNX2 plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of PAH, contributing to the development of proliferative and calcified PA lesions. Inhibition of RUNX2 may therefore represent an attractive therapeutic strategy for PAH.