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Ozonoff A, Schaenman J, Jayavelu ND, Milliren CE, Calfee CS, Cairns CB, Kraft M, Baden LR, Shaw AC, Krammer F, van Bakel H, Esserman DA, Liu S, Sesma AF, Simon V, Hafler DA, Montgomery RR, Kleinstein SH, Levy O, Bime C, Haddad EK, Erle DJ, Pulendran B, Nadeau KC, Davis MM, Hough CL, Messer WB, Higuita NIA, Metcalf JP, Atkinson MA, Brakenridge SC, Corry D, Kheradmand F, Ehrlich LI, Melamed E, McComsey GA, Sekaly R, Diray-Arce J, Peters B, Augustine AD, Reed EF, Altman MC, Becker PM, Rouphael N, Ozonoff A, Schaenman J, Jayavelu ND, Milliren CE, Calfee CS, Cairns CB, Kraft M, Baden LR, Shaw AC, Krammer F, van Bakel H, Esserman DA, Liu S, Sesma AF, Simon V, Hafler DA, Montgomery RR, Kleinstein SH, Levy O, Bime C, Haddad EK, Erle DJ, Pulendran B, Nadeau KC, Davis MM, Hough CL, Messer WB, Higuita NIA, Metcalf JP, Atkinson MA, Brakenridge SC, Corry D, Kheradmand F, Ehrlich LI, Melamed E, McComsey GA, Sekaly R, Diray-Arce J, Peters B, Augustine AD, Reed EF, McEnaney K, Barton B, Lentucci C, Saluvan M, Chang AC, Hoch A, Albert M, Shaheen T, Kho AT, Thomas S, Chen J, Murphy MD, Cooney M, Presnell S, Fragiadakis GK, Patel R, Guan L, Gygi J, Pawar S, Brito A, Khalil Z, Maguire C, Fourati S, Overton JA, Vita R, Westendorf K, Salehi-Rad R, Leligdowicz A, Matthay MA, Singer JP, Kangelaris KN, Hendrickson CM, Krummel MF, Langelier CR, Woodruff PG, Powell DL, Kim JN, Simmons B, Goonewardene IM, Smith CM, Martens M, Mosier J, Kimura H, Sherman AC, Walsh SR, Issa NC, Dela Cruz C, Farhadian S, Iwasaki A, Ko AI, Chinthrajah S, Ahuja N, Rogers AJ, Artandi M, Siegel SA, Lu Z, Drevets DA, Brown BR, Anderson ML, Guirgis FW, Thyagarajan RV, Rousseau JF, Wylie D, Busch J, Gandhi S, Triplett TA, Yendewa G, Giddings O, Anderson EJ, Mehta AK, Sevransky JE, Khor B, Rahman A, Stadlbauer D, Dutta J, Xie H, Kim-Schulze S, Gonzalez-Reiche AS, van de Guchte A, Farrugia K, Khan Z, Maecker HT, Elashoff D, Brook J, Ramires-Sanchez E, Llamas M, Rivera A, Perdomo C, Ward DC, Magyar CE, Fulcher JA, Abe-Jones Y, Asthana S, Beagle A, Bhide S, Carrillo SA, Chak S, Fragiadakis GK, Ghale R, Gonzalez A, Jauregui A, Jones N, Lea T, Lee D, Lota R, Milush J, Nguyen V, Pierce L, Prasad PA, Rao A, Samad B, Shaw C, Sigman A, Sinha P, Ward A, Willmore A, Zhan J, Rashid S, Rodriguez N, Tang K, Altamirano LT, Betancourt L, Curiel C, Sutter N, Paz MT, Tietje-Ulrich G, Leroux C, Connors J, Bernui M, Kutzler MA, Edwards C, Lee E, Lin E, Croen B, Semenza NC, Rogowski B, Melnyk N, Woloszczuk K, Cusimano G, Bell MR, Furukawa S, McLin R, Marrero P, Sheidy J, Tegos GP, Nagle C, Mege N, Ulring K, Seyfert-Margolis V, Conway M, Francisco D, Molzahn A, Erickson H, Wilson CC, Schunk R, Sierra B, Hughes T, Smolen K, Desjardins M, van Haren S, Mitre X, Cauley J, Li X, Tong A, Evans B, Montesano C, Licona JH, Krauss J, Chang JBP, Izaguirre N, Chaudhary O, Coppi A, Fournier J, Mohanty S, Muenker MC, Nelson A, Raddassi K, Rainone M, Ruff WE, Salahuddin S, Schulz WL, Vijayakumar P, Wang H, Wunder Jr. E, Young HP, Zhao Y, Saksena M, Altman D, Kojic E, Srivastava K, Eaker LQ, Bermúdez-González MC, Beach KF, Sominsky LA, Azad AR, Carreño JM, Singh G, Raskin A, Tcheou J, Bielak D, Kawabata H, Mulder LCF, Kleiner G, Lee AS, Do ED, Fernandes A, Manohar M, Hagan T, Blish CA, Din HN, Roque J, Yang S, Brunton A, Sullivan PE, Strnad M, Lyski ZL, Coulter FJ, Booth JL, Sinko LA, Moldawer LL, Borresen B, Roth-Manning B, Song LZ, Nelson E, Lewis-Smith M, Smith J, Tipan PG, Siles N, Bazzi S, Geltman J, Hurley K, Gabriele G, Sieg S, Vaysman T, Bristow L, Hussaini L, Hellmeister K, Samaha H, Cheng A, Spainhour C, Scherer EM, Johnson B, Bechnak A, Ciric CR, Hewitt L, Carter E, Mcnair N, Panganiban B, Huerta C, Usher J, Ribeiro SP, Altman MC, Becker PM, Rouphael N. Phenotypes of disease severity in a cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients: Results from the IMPACC study. EBioMedicine 2022; 83:104208. [PMID: 35952496 PMCID: PMC9359694 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Better understanding of the association between characteristics of patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and outcome is needed to further improve upon patient management. METHODS Immunophenotyping Assessment in a COVID-19 Cohort (IMPACC) is a prospective, observational study of 1164 patients from 20 hospitals across the United States. Disease severity was assessed using a 7-point ordinal scale based on degree of respiratory illness. Patients were prospectively surveyed for 1 year after discharge for post-acute sequalae of COVID-19 (PASC) through quarterly surveys. Demographics, comorbidities, radiographic findings, clinical laboratory values, SARS-CoV-2 PCR and serology were captured over a 28-day period. Multivariable logistic regression was performed. FINDINGS The median age was 59 years (interquartile range [IQR] 20); 711 (61%) were men; overall mortality was 14%, and 228 (20%) required invasive mechanical ventilation. Unsupervised clustering of ordinal score over time revealed distinct disease course trajectories. Risk factors associated with prolonged hospitalization or death by day 28 included age ≥ 65 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.01; 95% CI 1.28-3.17), Hispanic ethnicity (OR, 1.71; 95% CI 1.13-2.57), elevated baseline creatinine (OR 2.80; 95% CI 1.63- 4.80) or troponin (OR 1.89; 95% 1.03-3.47), baseline lymphopenia (OR 2.19; 95% CI 1.61-2.97), presence of infiltrate by chest imaging (OR 3.16; 95% CI 1.96-5.10), and high SARS-CoV2 viral load (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.17-2.00). Fatal cases had the lowest ratio of SARS-CoV-2 antibody to viral load levels compared to other trajectories over time (p=0.001). 589 survivors (51%) completed at least one survey at follow-up with 305 (52%) having at least one symptom consistent with PASC, most commonly dyspnea (56% among symptomatic patients). Female sex was the only associated risk factor for PASC. INTERPRETATION Integration of PCR cycle threshold, and antibody values with demographics, comorbidities, and laboratory/radiographic findings identified risk factors for 28-day outcome severity, though only female sex was associated with PASC. Longitudinal clinical phenotyping offers important insights, and provides a framework for immunophenotyping for acute and long COVID-19. FUNDING NIH.
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Eliasen AU, Pedersen CET, Rasmussen MA, Wang N, Soverini M, Fritz A, Stokholm J, Chawes BL, Morin A, Bork-Jensen J, Grarup N, Pedersen O, Hansen T, Linneberg A, Mortensen PB, Hougaard DM, Bybjerg-Grauholm J, Bækvad-Hansen M, Mors O, Nordentoft M, Børglum AD, Werge T, Agerbo E, Söderhall C, Altman MC, Thysen AH, McKennan CG, Brix S, Gern JE, Ober C, Ahluwalia TS, Bisgaard H, Pedersen AG, Bønnelykke K. Genome-wide study of early and severe childhood asthma identifies interaction between CDHR3 and GSDMB. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2022; 150:622-630. [PMID: 35381269 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma with severe exacerbation is one of the most common causes of hospitalization among young children. Exacerbations are typically triggered by respiratory infections, but the host factors causing recurrent infections and exacerbations in some children are poorly understood. As a result, current treatment options and preventive measures are inadequate. OBJECTIVE We sought to identify genetic interaction associated with the development of childhood asthma. METHODS We performed an exhaustive search for pairwise interaction between genetic single nucleotide polymorphisms using 1204 cases of a specific phenotype of early childhood asthma with severe exacerbations in patients aged 2 to 6 years combined with 5328 nonasthmatic controls. Replication was attempted in 3 independent populations, and potential underlying immune mechanisms were investigated in the COPSAC2010 and COPSAC2000 birth cohorts. RESULTS We found evidence of interaction, including replication in independent populations, between the known childhood asthma loci CDHR3 and GSDMB. The effect of CDHR3 was dependent on the GSDMB genotype, and this interaction was more pronounced for severe and early onset of disease. Blood immune analyses suggested a mechanism related to increased IL-17A production after viral stimulation. CONCLUSIONS We found evidence of interaction between CDHR3 and GSDMB in development of early childhood asthma, possibly related to increased IL-17A response to viral infections. This study demonstrates the importance of focusing on specific disease subtypes for understanding the genetic mechanisms of asthma.
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Jackson DJ, Bacharier LB, Gergen PJ, Gagalis L, Calatroni A, Wellford S, Gill MA, Stokes J, Liu AH, Gruchalla RS, Cohen RT, Makhija M, Khurana Hershey GK, O'Connor GT, Pongracic JA, Sherenian MG, Rivera-Spoljaric K, Zoratti EM, Teach SJ, Kattan M, Dutmer CM, Kim H, Lamm C, Sheehan WJ, Segnitz RM, Dill-McFarland KA, Visness CM, Becker PM, Gern JE, Sorkness CA, Busse WW, Altman MC. Mepolizumab for urban children with exacerbation-prone eosinophilic asthma in the USA (MUPPITS-2): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. Lancet 2022; 400:502-511. [PMID: 35964610 PMCID: PMC9623810 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(22)01198-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Black and Hispanic children living in urban environments in the USA have an excess burden of morbidity and mortality from asthma. Therapies directed at the eosinophilic phenotype reduce asthma exacerbations in adults, but few data are available in children and diverse populations. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms that underlie exacerbations either being prevented by, or persisting despite, immune-based therapies are not well understood. We aimed to determine whether mepolizumab, added to guidelines-based care, reduced the number of asthma exacerbations during a 52-week period compared with guidelines-based care alone. METHODS This is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial done at nine urban medical centres in the USA. Children and adolescents aged 6-17 years, who lived in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods and had exacerbation-prone asthma (defined as ≥two exacerbations in the previous year) and blood eosinophils of at least 150 cells per μL were randomly assigned 1:1 to mepolizumab (6-11 years: 40 mg; 12-17 years: 100 mg) or placebo injections once every 4 weeks, plus guideline-based care, for 52 weeks. Randomisation was done using a validated automated system. Participants, investigators, and the research staff who collected outcome measures remained masked to group assignments. The primary outcome was the number of asthma exacerbations that were treated with systemic corticosteroids during 52 weeks in the intention-to-treat population. The mechanisms of treatment response were assessed by study investigators using nasal transcriptomic modular analysis. Safety was assessed in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03292588. FINDINGS Between Nov 1, 2017, and Mar 12, 2020, we recruited 585 children and adolescents. We screened 390 individuals, of whom 335 met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled. 290 met the randomisation criteria, were randomly assigned to mepolizumab (n=146) or placebo (n=144), and were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. 248 completed the study. The mean number of asthma exacerbations within the 52-week study period was 0·96 (95% CI 0·78-1·17) with mepolizumab and 1·30 (1·08-1·57) with placebo (rate ratio 0·73; 0·56-0·96; p=0·027). Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 42 (29%) of 146 participants in the mepolizumab group versus 16 (11%) of 144 participants in the placebo group. No deaths were attributed to mepolizumab. INTERPRETATION Phenotype-directed therapy with mepolizumab in urban children with exacerbation-prone eosinophilic asthma reduced the number of exacerbations. FUNDING US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and GlaxoSmithKline.
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McCauley KE, Flynn K, Calatroni A, DiMassa V, LaMere B, Fadrosh DW, Lynch KV, Gill MA, Pongracic JA, Khurana Hershey GK, Kercsmar CM, Liu AH, Johnson CC, Kim H, Kattan M, O'Connor GT, Bacharier LB, Teach SJ, Gergen PJ, Wheatley LM, Togias A, LeBeau P, Presnell S, Boushey HA, Busse WW, Gern JE, Jackson DJ, Altman MC, Lynch SV. Seasonal airway microbiome and transcriptome interactions promote childhood asthma exacerbations. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2022; 150:204-213. [PMID: 35149044 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seasonal variation in respiratory illnesses and exacerbations in pediatric populations with asthma is well described, though whether upper airway microbes play season-specific roles in these events is unknown. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that nasal microbiota composition is seasonally dynamic and that discrete microbe-host interactions modify risk of asthma exacerbation in a season-specific manner. METHODS Repeated nasal samples from children with exacerbation-prone asthma collected during periods of respiratory health (baseline; n = 181 samples) or first captured respiratory illness (n = 97) across all seasons, underwent bacterial (16S ribosomal RNA gene) and fungal (internal transcribed spacer region 2) biomarker sequencing. Virus detection was performed by multiplex PCR. Paired nasal transcriptome data were examined for seasonal dynamics and integrative analyses. RESULTS Upper airway bacterial and fungal microbiota and rhinovirus detection exhibited significant seasonal dynamics. In seasonally adjusted analysis, variation in both baseline and respiratory illness microbiota related to subsequent exacerbation. Specifically, in the fall, when respiratory illness and exacerbation events were most frequent, several Moraxella and Haemophilus members were enriched both in virus-positive respiratory illnesses and those that progressed to exacerbations. The abundance of 2 discrete bacterial networks, characteristically comprising either Streptococcus or Staphylococcus, exhibited opposing interactions with an exacerbation-associated SMAD3 nasal epithelial transcriptional module to significantly increase the odds of subsequent exacerbation (odds ratio = 14.7, 95% confidence interval = 1.50-144, P = .02; odds ratio = 39.17, 95% confidence interval = 2.44-626, P = .008, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Upper airway microbiomes covary with season and with seasonal trends in respiratory illnesses and asthma exacerbations. Seasonally adjusted analyses reveal specific bacteria-host interactions that significantly increase risk of asthma exacerbation in these children.
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Clay SM, Schoettler N, Goldstein AM, Carbonetto P, Dapas M, Altman MC, Rosasco MG, Gern JE, Jackson DJ, Im HK, Stephens M, Nicolae DL, Ober C. Fine-mapping studies distinguish genetic risks for childhood- and adult-onset asthma in the HLA region. Genome Med 2022; 14:55. [PMID: 35606880 PMCID: PMC9128203 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-022-01058-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genome-wide association studies of asthma have revealed robust associations with variation across the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex with independent associations in the HLA class I and class II regions for both childhood-onset asthma (COA) and adult-onset asthma (AOA). However, the specific variants and genes contributing to risk are unknown. METHODS We used Bayesian approaches to perform genetic fine-mapping for COA and AOA (n=9432 and 21,556, respectively; n=318,167 shared controls) in White British individuals from the UK Biobank and to perform expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) fine-mapping in immune (lymphoblastoid cell lines, n=398; peripheral blood mononuclear cells, n=132) and airway (nasal epithelial cells, n=188) cells from ethnically diverse individuals. We also examined putatively causal protein coding variation from protein crystal structures and conducted replication studies in independent multi-ethnic cohorts from the UK Biobank (COA n=1686; AOA n=3666; controls n=56,063). RESULTS Genetic fine-mapping revealed both shared and distinct causal variation between COA and AOA in the class I region but only distinct causal variation in the class II region. Both gene expression levels and amino acid variation contributed to risk. Our results from eQTL fine-mapping and amino acid visualization suggested that the HLA-DQA1*03:01 allele and variation associated with expression of the nonclassical HLA-DQA2 and HLA-DQB2 genes accounted entirely for the most significant association with AOA in GWAS. Our studies also suggested a potentially prominent role for HLA-C protein coding variation in the class I region in COA. We replicated putatively causal variant associations in a multi-ethnic cohort. CONCLUSIONS We highlight roles for both gene expression and protein coding variation in asthma risk and identified putatively causal variation and genes in the HLA region. A convergence of genomic, transcriptional, and protein coding evidence implicates the HLA-DQA2 and HLA-DQB2 genes and HLA-DQA1*03:01 allele in AOA.
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Dill-McFarland KA, Schwartz JT, Zhao H, Shao B, Fulkerson PC, Altman MC, Gill MA. Eosinophil-mediated suppression and Anti-IL-5 enhancement of plasmacytoid dendritic cell interferon responses in asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2022; 150:666-675. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Gereige JD, Morin A, Calatroni A, Visness CM, Wood RA, Kattan M, Bacharier LB, Becker P, Altman MC, Gern JE, Ober C, O'Connor GT. 17q12-q21 variants interact with early-life exposures to modify asthma risk in Black children. Clin Exp Allergy 2022; 52:565-568. [PMID: 34862819 PMCID: PMC10829392 DOI: 10.1111/cea.14074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Al-Shaikhly T, Murphy RC, Parker A, Lai Y, Altman MC, Larmore M, Altemeier WA, Frevert CW, Debley JS, Piliponsky AM, Ziegler SF, Peters MC, Hallstrand TS. Location of eosinophils in the airway wall is critical for specific features of airway hyperresponsiveness and T2 inflammation in asthma. Eur Respir J 2022; 60:13993003.01865-2021. [PMID: 35027395 PMCID: PMC9704864 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01865-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Eosinophils are implicated as effector cells in asthma but the functional implications of the precise location of eosinophils in the airway wall is poorly understood. We aimed to quantify eosinophils in the different compartments of the airway wall and associate these findings with clinical features of asthma and markers of airway inflammation.In this cross-sectional study, we utilised design-based stereology to accurately partition the numerical density of eosinophils in both the epithelial compartment and the subepithelial space (airway wall area below the basal lamina including the submucosa) in individuals with and without asthma and related these findings to airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and features of airway inflammation.Intraepithelial eosinophils were linked to the presence of asthma and endogenous AHR, the type of AHR that is most specific for asthma. In contrast, both intraepithelial and subepithelial eosinophils were associated with type-2 (T2) inflammation, with the strongest association between IL5 expression and intraepithelial eosinophils. Eosinophil infiltration of the airway wall was linked to a specific mast cell phenotype that has been described in asthma. We found that IL-33 and IL-5 additively increased cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) production by eosinophils and that the CysLT LTC4 along with IL-33 increased IL13 expression in mast cells and altered their protease profile.We conclude that intraepithelial eosinophils are associated with endogenous AHR and T2 inflammation and may interact with intraepithelial mast cells via CysLTs to regulate airway inflammation.
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Soliai MM, Kato A, Helling BA, Stanhope CT, Norton JE, Naughton KA, Klinger AI, Thompson EE, Clay SM, Kim S, Celedón JC, Gern JE, Jackson DJ, Altman MC, Kern RC, Tan BK, Schleimer RP, Nicolae DL, Pinto JM, Ober C. Multi-omics colocalization with genome-wide association studies reveals a context-specific genetic mechanism at a childhood onset asthma risk locus. Genome Med 2021; 13:157. [PMID: 34629083 PMCID: PMC8504130 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-021-00967-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified thousands of variants associated with asthma and other complex diseases. However, the functional effects of most of these variants are unknown. Moreover, GWASs do not provide context-specific information on cell types or environmental factors that affect specific disease risks and outcomes. To address these limitations, we used an upper airway epithelial cell (AEC) culture model to assess transcriptional and epigenetic responses to rhinovirus (RV), an asthma-promoting pathogen, and provide context-specific functional annotations to variants discovered in GWASs of asthma. METHODS Genome-wide genetic, gene expression, and DNA methylation data in vehicle- and RV-treated upper AECs were collected from 104 individuals who had a diagnosis of airway disease (n=66) or were healthy participants (n=38). We mapped cis expression and methylation quantitative trait loci (cis-eQTLs and cis-meQTLs, respectively) in each treatment condition (RV and vehicle) in AECs from these individuals. A Bayesian test for colocalization between AEC molecular QTLs and adult onset asthma and childhood onset asthma GWAS SNPs, and a multi-ethnic GWAS of asthma, was used to assign the function to variants associated with asthma. We used Mendelian randomization to demonstrate DNA methylation effects on gene expression at asthma colocalized loci. RESULTS Asthma and allergic disease-associated GWAS SNPs were specifically enriched among molecular QTLs in AECs, but not in GWASs from non-immune diseases, and in AEC eQTLs, but not among eQTLs from other tissues. Colocalization analyses of AEC QTLs with asthma GWAS variants revealed potential molecular mechanisms of asthma, including QTLs at the TSLP locus that were common to both the RV and vehicle treatments and to both childhood onset and adult onset asthma, as well as QTLs at the 17q12-21 asthma locus that were specific to RV exposure and childhood onset asthma, consistent with clinical and epidemiological studies of these loci. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence of functional effects for asthma risk variants in AECs and insight into RV-mediated transcriptional and epigenetic response mechanisms that modulate genetic effects in the airway and risk for asthma.
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da Silva Antunes R, Sutherland A, Frazier A, Schulten V, Pomés A, Glesner J, Calatroni A, Altman MC, Wood RA, O'Connor GT, Pongracic JA, Khurana Hershey GK, Kercsmar CM, Gruchalla RS, Gill M, Liu AH, Zoratti E, Kattan M, Busse PJ, Bacharier LB, Teach SJ, Wheatley LM, Togias A, Busse WW, Jackson DJ, Sette A. Heterogeneity of magnitude, allergen immunodominance, and cytokine polarization of cockroach allergen-specific T cell responses in allergic sensitized children. Clin Transl Allergy 2021; 11:e12073. [PMID: 34691392 PMCID: PMC8514843 DOI: 10.1002/clt2.12073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Characterization of allergic responses to cockroach (CR), a common aeroallergen associated with asthma, has focused mainly on IgE reactivity, but little is known about T cell responses, particularly in children. We conducted a functional evaluation of CR allergen-specific T cell reactivity in a cohort of CR allergic children with asthma. METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from 71 children, with mild-to-moderate asthma who were enrolled in a CR immunotherapy (IT) clinical trial, prior to treatment initiation. PBMC were stimulated with peptide pools derived from 11 CR allergens, and CD4+ T cell responses assessed by intracellular cytokine staining. RESULTS Highly heterogeneous responses in T cell reactivity were observed among participants, both in terms of the magnitude of cytokine response and allergen immunodominance. Reactivity against Bla g 9 and Bla g 5 was most frequent. The phenotype of the T cell response was dominated by IL-4 production and a Th2 polarized profile in 54.9% of participants, but IFNγ production and Th1 polarization was observed in 25.3% of the participants. The numbers of regulatory CD4+ T cells were also highly variable and the magnitude of effector responses and Th2 polarization were positively correlated with serum IgE levels specific to a clinical CR extract. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that in children with mild-to-moderate asthma, CR-specific T cell responses display a wide range of magnitude, allergen dominance, and polarization. These results will enable examination of whether any of the variables measured are affected by IT and/or are predictive of clinical outcomes.
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Al-Shaikhly T, MacDonald JW, Bammler TK, Altman MC, Ayars AG, Petroni DH, Tilles SA, Henderson WR. Unique basophil microRNA signature in chronic spontaneous urticaria patients who respond to omalizumab. Clin Exp Allergy 2021; 51:1648-1652. [PMID: 34519110 DOI: 10.1111/cea.14014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Murphy RC, Pavord ID, Alam R, Altman MC. Management Strategies to Reduce Exacerbations in non-T2 Asthma. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2021; 9:2588-2597. [PMID: 34246435 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2021.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
There have been considerable advances in our understanding of asthmatic airway inflammation, resulting in a paradigm shift of classifying individuals on the basis of either the presence or the absence of type 2 (T2) inflammatory markers. Several novel monoclonal antibody therapies targeting T2 cytokines have demonstrated significant clinical effects including reductions in acute exacerbations and improvements in asthma-related quality of life and lung function for individuals with T2-high asthma. However, there have been fewer advancements in developing therapies for those without evidence of T2 airway inflammation (so-called non-T2 asthma). Here, we review the heterogeneity of molecular mechanisms responsible for initiation and regulation of non-T2 inflammation and discuss both current and potential future therapeutic options for individuals with non-T2 asthma.
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Altman MC, Rinchai D, Baldwin N, Toufiq M, Whalen E, Garand M, Syed Ahamed Kabeer B, Alfaki M, Presnell SR, Khaenam P, Ayllón-Benítez A, Mougin F, Thébault P, Chiche L, Jourde-Chiche N, Phillips JT, Klintmalm G, O'Garra A, Berry M, Bloom C, Wilkinson RJ, Graham CM, Lipman M, Lertmemongkolchai G, Bedognetti D, Thiebaut R, Kheradmand F, Mejias A, Ramilo O, Palucka K, Pascual V, Banchereau J, Chaussabel D. Development of a fixed module repertoire for the analysis and interpretation of blood transcriptome data. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4385. [PMID: 34282143 PMCID: PMC8289976 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24584-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
As the capacity for generating large-scale molecular profiling data continues to grow, the ability to extract meaningful biological knowledge from it remains a limitation. Here, we describe the development of a new fixed repertoire of transcriptional modules, BloodGen3, that is designed to serve as a stable reusable framework for the analysis and interpretation of blood transcriptome data. The construction of this repertoire is based on co-clustering patterns observed across sixteen immunological and physiological states encompassing 985 blood transcriptome profiles. Interpretation is supported by customized resources, including module-level analysis workflows, fingerprint grid plot visualizations, interactive web applications and an extensive annotation framework comprising functional profiling reports and reference transcriptional profiles. Taken together, this well-characterized and well-supported transcriptional module repertoire can be employed for the interpretation and benchmarking of blood transcriptome profiles within and across patient cohorts. Blood transcriptome fingerprints for the 16 reference cohorts can be accessed interactively via: https://drinchai.shinyapps.io/BloodGen3Module/ .
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Altman MC, Flynn K, Rosasco MG, Dapas M, Kattan M, Lovinsky-Desir S, O'Connor GT, Gill MA, Gruchalla RS, Liu AH, Pongracic JA, Khurana Hershey GK, Zoratti EM, Teach SJ, Rastrogi D, Wood RA, Bacharier LB, LeBeau P, Gergen PJ, Togias A, Busse WW, Presnell S, Gern JE, Ober C, Jackson DJ. Inducible expression quantitative trait locus analysis of the MUC5AC gene in asthma in urban populations of children. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2021; 148:1505-1514. [PMID: 34019912 PMCID: PMC8599524 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.04.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mucus plugging can worsen asthma control, lead to reduced lung function and fatal exacerbations. MUC5AC is the secretory mucin implicated in mucus plugging, and MUC5AC gene expression has been associated with development of airway obstruction and asthma exacerbations in urban children with asthma. However, the genetic determinants of MUC5AC expression are not established. OBJECTIVES This study sought to assess single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that influence MUC5AC expression and relate to pulmonary functions in childhood asthma. METHODS This study used RNA-sequencing data from upper airway samples and performed cis-expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and allele-specific expression analyses in 2 cohorts of predominantly Black and Hispanic urban children, a high asthma-risk birth cohort, and an exacerbation-prone asthma cohort. Inducible MUC5AC eQTLs were further investigated during incipient asthma exacerbations. Significant eQTLs SNPs were tested for associations with lung function measurements and their functional consequences were investigated in DNA regulatory databases. RESULTS Two independent groups of SNPs in the MUC5AC gene that were significantly associated with MUC5AC expression were identified. Moreover, these SNPs showed stronger eQTL associations with MUC5AC expression during asthma exacerbations, which is consistent with inducible expression. SNPs in 1 group also showed significant association with decreased pulmonary functions. These SNPs included multiple EGR1 transcription factor binding sites, suggesting a mechanism of effect. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate the applicability of organ-specific RNA-sequencing data to determine genetic factors contributing to a key disease pathway. Specifically, they suggest important genetic variations that may underlie propensity to mucus plugging in asthma and could be important in targeted asthma phenotyping and disease management strategies.
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Altman MC. A consequentialist argument for considering age in triage decisions during the coronavirus pandemic. BIOETHICS 2021; 35:356-365. [PMID: 33683705 PMCID: PMC8251012 DOI: 10.1111/bioe.12864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Most ethics guidelines for distributing scarce medical resources during the coronavirus pandemic seek to save the most lives and the most life-years. A patient's prognosis is determined using a SOFA or MSOFA score to measure likelihood of survival to discharge, as well as a consideration of relevant comorbidities and their effects on likelihood of survival up to one or five years. Although some guidelines use age as a tiebreaker when two patients' prognoses are identical, others refuse to consider age for fear of discriminating against the elderly. In this paper, I argue that age is directly relevant for maximizing health benefits, so current ethics guidelines are wrongly excluding or deemphasizing life-stage in their triage algorithms. Research on COVID-19 has shown that age is a risk factor in adverse outcomes, independent of comorbidities. And limiting a consideration of life-years to only one or five years past discharge does not maximize health benefits. Therefore, based on their own stated values, triage algorithms for coronavirus patients ought to include life-stage as a primary consideration, along with the SOFA score and comorbidities, rather than excluding it or using it merely as a tiebreaker. This is not discriminatory because patients ought to have equal opportunity to experience life-stages. The equitable enforcement of that right justifies unequal treatment based on age in cases when there is a scarcity of life-saving resources. A consideration of life-stage would thus allow healthcare workers to responsibly steward public resources in order to maximize lives and life-years saved.
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Al‐Shaikhly T, MacDonald JW, Bammler TK, Altman MC, Ayars AG, Petroni DH, Tilles SA, Henderson WR. Extracellular vesicle microRNAs as predictors of response to omalizumab in chronic spontaneous urticaria. Allergy 2021; 76:1274-1277. [PMID: 33314187 DOI: 10.1111/all.14702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Altman MC, Calatroni A, Ramratnam S, Jackson DJ, Presnell S, Rosasco MG, Gergen PJ, Bacharier LB, O'Connor GT, Sandel MT, Kattan M, Wood RA, Visness CM, Gern JE. Endotype of allergic asthma with airway obstruction in urban children. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2021; 148:1198-1209. [PMID: 33713771 PMCID: PMC8429519 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.02.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Black and Hispanic children growing up in disadvantaged urban neighborhoods have the highest rates of asthma and related morbidity in the United States. OBJECTIVES This study sought to identify specific respiratory phenotypes of health and disease in this population, associations with early life exposures, and molecular patterns of gene expression in nasal epithelial cells that underlie clinical disease. METHODS The study population consisted of 442 high-risk urban children who had repeated assessments of wheezing, allergen-specific IgE, and lung function through 10 years of age. Phenotypes were identified by developing temporal trajectories for these data, and then compared to early life exposures and patterns of nasal epithelial gene expression at 11 years of age. RESULTS Of the 6 identified respiratory phenotypes, a high wheeze, high atopy, low lung function group had the greatest respiratory morbidity. In early life, this group had low exposure to common allergens and high exposure to ergosterol in house dust. While all high-atopy groups were associated with increased expression of a type-2 inflammation gene module in nasal epithelial samples, an epithelium IL-13 response module tracked closely with impaired lung function, and a MUC5AC hypersecretion module was uniquely upregulated in the high wheeze, high atopy, low lung function group. In contrast, a medium wheeze, low atopy group showed altered expression of modules of epithelial integrity, epithelial injury, and antioxidant pathways. CONCLUSIONS In the first decade of life, high-risk urban children develop distinct phenotypes of respiratory health versus disease that link early life environmental exposures to childhood allergic sensitization and asthma. Moreover, unique patterns of airway gene expression demonstrate how specific molecular pathways underlie distinct respiratory phenotypes, including allergic and nonallergic asthma.
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Rinchai D, Roelands J, Toufiq M, Hendrickx W, Altman MC, Bedognetti D, Chaussabel D. BloodGen3Module: Blood transcriptional module repertoire analysis and visualization using R. Bioinformatics 2021; 37:2382-2389. [PMID: 33624743 PMCID: PMC8388021 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btab121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Motivation We previously described the construction and characterization of fixed reusable blood transcriptional module repertoires. More recently we released a third iteration (‘BloodGen3’ module repertoire) that comprises 382 functionally annotated modules and encompasses 14 168 transcripts. Custom bioinformatic tools are needed to support downstream analysis, visualization and interpretation relying on such fixed module repertoires. Results We have developed and describe here an R package, BloodGen3Module. The functions of our package permit group comparison analyses to be performed at the module-level, and to display the results as annotated fingerprint grid plots. A parallel workflow for computing module repertoire changes for individual samples rather than groups of samples is also available; these results are displayed as fingerprint heatmaps. An illustrative case is used to demonstrate the steps involved in generating blood transcriptome repertoire fingerprints of septic patients. Taken together, this resource could facilitate the analysis and interpretation of changes in blood transcript abundance observed across a wide range of pathological and physiological states. Availability and implementation The BloodGen3Module package and documentation are freely available from Github: https://github.com/Drinchai/BloodGen3Module. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Rinchai D, Altman MC, Konza O, Hässler S, Martina F, Toufiq M, Garand M, Kabeer BSA, Palucka K, Mejias A, Ramilo O, Bedognetti D, Mariotti‐Ferrandiz E, Klatzmann D, Chaussabel D. Definition of erythroid cell-positive blood transcriptome phenotypes associated with severe respiratory syncytial virus infection. Clin Transl Med 2020; 10:e244. [PMID: 33377660 PMCID: PMC7733317 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers to assess the risk of developing severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection are needed. We conducted a meta-analysis of 490 unique profiles from six public RSV blood transcriptome datasets. A repertoire of 382 well-characterized transcriptional modules was used to define dominant host responses to RSV infection. The consolidated RSV cohort was stratified according to four traits: "interferon response" (IFN), "neutrophil-driven inflammation" (Infl), "cell cycle" (CC), and "erythrocytes" (Ery). We identified eight prevalent blood transcriptome phenotypes, of which three Ery+ phenotypes comprised higher proportions of patients requiring intensive care. This finding confirms on a larger scale data from one of our earlier reports describing an association between an erythrocyte signature and RSV disease severity. Further contextual interpretation made it possible to associate this signature with immunosuppressive states (late stage cancer, pharmacological immunosuppression), and with a population of fetal glycophorin A+ erythroid precursors. Furthermore, we posit that this erythrocyte cell signature may be linked to a population of immunosuppressive erythroid cells previously described in the literature, and that overabundance of this cell population in RSV patients may underlie progression to severe disease. These findings outline potential priority areas for biomarker development and investigations into the immune biology of RSV infection. The approach that we developed and employed here should also permit to delineate prevalent blood transcriptome phenotypes in other settings.
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Barretto KT, Brockman‐Schneider RA, Kuipers I, Basnet S, Bochkov YA, Altman MC, Jarjour NN, Gern JE, Esnault S. Human airway epithelial cells express a functional IL-5 receptor. Allergy 2020; 75:2127-2130. [PMID: 32246831 DOI: 10.1111/all.14297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Rinchai D, Syed Ahamed Kabeer B, Toufiq M, Tatari-Calderone Z, Deola S, Brummaier T, Garand M, Branco R, Baldwin N, Alfaki M, Altman MC, Ballestrero A, Bassetti M, Zoppoli G, De Maria A, Tang B, Bedognetti D, Chaussabel D. A modular framework for the development of targeted Covid-19 blood transcript profiling panels. J Transl Med 2020; 18:291. [PMID: 32736569 PMCID: PMC7393249 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02456-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Covid-19 morbidity and mortality are associated with a dysregulated immune response. Tools are needed to enhance existing immune profiling capabilities in affected patients. Here we aimed to develop an approach to support the design of targeted blood transcriptome panels for profiling the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS We designed a pool of candidates based on a pre-existing and well-characterized repertoire of blood transcriptional modules. Available Covid-19 blood transcriptome data was also used to guide this process. Further selection steps relied on expert curation. Additionally, we developed several custom web applications to support the evaluation of candidates. RESULTS As a proof of principle, we designed three targeted blood transcript panels, each with a different translational connotation: immunological relevance, therapeutic development relevance and SARS biology relevance. CONCLUSION Altogether the work presented here may contribute to the future expansion of immune profiling capabilities via targeted profiling of blood transcript abundance in Covid-19 patients.
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Altman MC, Beigelman A, Ciaccio C, Gern JE, Heymann PW, Jackson DJ, Kennedy JL, Kloepfer K, Lemanske RF, McWilliams LM, Muehling L, Nance C, Peebles RS. Evolving concepts in how viruses impact asthma: A Work Group Report of the Microbes in Allergy Committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2020; 145:1332-1344. [PMID: 31926183 PMCID: PMC7577409 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2019.12.904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, there have been substantial advances in our understanding about how viral infections regulate asthma. Important lessons have been learned from birth cohort studies examining viral infections and subsequent asthma and from understanding the relationships between host genetics and viral infections, the contributions of respiratory viral infections to patterns of immune development, the impact of environmental exposure on the severity of viral infections, and how the viral genome influences host immune responses to viral infections. Further, there has been major progress in our knowledge about how bacteria regulate host immune responses in asthma pathogenesis. In this article, we also examine the dynamics of bacterial colonization of the respiratory tract during viral upper respiratory tract infection, in addition to the relationship of the gut and respiratory microbiomes with respiratory viral infections. Finally, we focus on potential interventions that could decrease virus-induced wheezing and asthma. There are emerging therapeutic options to decrease the severity of wheezing exacerbations caused by respiratory viral infections. Primary prevention is a major goal, and a strategy toward this end is considered.
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Larson D, Patel P, Salapatek AM, Couroux P, Whitehouse D, Pina A, Johnson JL, Sever ML, Sanda S, Poyser J, Allio T, Scadding GW, Qin T, Shamji MH, Kwok WW, James EA, French D, Lelic A, Larché M, Altman MC, Togias A, Durham SR. Nasal allergen challenge and environmental exposure chamber challenge: A randomized trial comparing clinical and biological responses to cat allergen. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2020; 145:1585-1597. [PMID: 32169380 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The direct-instillation nasal allergen challenge (NAC) and the environmental exposure chamber (EEC) are 2 methods of conducting controlled allergen provocations. The clinical and biological comparability of these methods has not been thoroughly investigated. OBJECTIVE We sought to compare clinical and immunologic responses to cat allergen in NAC versus EEC. METHODS Twenty-four participants were randomized to receive either NAC followed by a 2-day challenge in an EEC or a 2-day challenge in an EEC followed by NAC. Challenges were separated by 28-day washout periods. We measured total nasal symptom scores, peak nasal inspiratory flow, nasal (0-8 hours) and serum cytokines, serum antibodies, peripheral blood antigen-specific T lymphocytes, and gene expression in nasal scrapings. The primary outcome was the total nasal symptom score area under the curve for the first 3 hours after allergen exposure in NAC or after initiation of exposure in EEC. RESULTS Both challenges increased IL-5 and IL-13 in nasal fluids and serum and resulted in altered nasal cell expression of gene modules related to mucosal biology and transcriptional regulation. Changes in gene modules, more so than cytokine measurements, showed significant associations with total nasal symptom score and peak nasal inspiratory flow. Overall, EEC exposure generated larger responses and more early terminations compared with NAC. Although the 2 challenges did not correlate in symptom magnitude or temporality, striking correlations were observed in cytokine levels. CONCLUSIONS Although clinical outcomes of NAC and EEC were temporally different and nonequivalent in magnitude, immunologic responses were similar. Selection of a particular allergen challenge method should depend on considerations of study objectives and cost.
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Al-Shaikhly T, Buckner FS, Altman MC, Ochs HD, Ayars AG. A 71-year-old man with recurrent pulmonary mycobacterial avium complex infections and lymphopenia. Allergy Asthma Proc 2020; 41:66-69. [PMID: 31888785 DOI: 10.2500/aap.2020.41.190003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections, generally viewed as opportunistic infections, often trigger an evaluation for an underlying immunodeficiency disorder. However, MAC infections can occur in patients who presumably are immunocompetent, particularly in those with an underlying structural lung disease. T-cell immunity plays a critical role in controlling MAC infection. We presented a case of lymphopenia, which complicated the clinical course of a pulmonary MAC infection in a patient who was negative for human immunodeficiency virus.
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Altman MC, Lai Y, Nolin JD, Long S, Chen CC, Piliponsky AM, Altemeier WA, Larmore M, Frevert CW, Mulligan MS, Ziegler SF, Debley JS, Peters MC, Hallstrand TS. Airway epithelium-shifted mast cell infiltration regulates asthmatic inflammation via IL-33 signaling. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:4979-4991. [PMID: 31437129 PMCID: PMC6819127 DOI: 10.1172/jci126402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a heterogeneous syndrome that has been subdivided into physiologic phenotypes and molecular endotypes. The most specific phenotypic manifestation of asthma is indirect airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and a prominent molecular endotype is the presence of type 2 inflammation. The underlying basis for type 2 inflammation and its relationship to AHR are incompletely understood. We assessed the expression of type 2 cytokines in the airways of subjects with and without asthma who were extensively characterized for AHR. Using quantitative morphometry of the airway wall, we identified a shift in mast cells from the submucosa to the airway epithelium specifically associated with both type 2 inflammation and indirect AHR. Using ex vivo modeling of primary airway epithelial cells in organotypic coculture with mast cells, we show that epithelial-derived IL-33 uniquely induced type 2 cytokines in mast cells, which regulated the expression of epithelial IL33 in a feed-forward loop. This feed-forward loop was accentuated in epithelial cells derived from subjects with asthma. These results demonstrate that type 2 inflammation and indirect AHR in asthma are related to a shift in mast cell infiltration to the airway epithelium, and that mast cells cooperate with epithelial cells through IL-33 signaling to regulate type 2 inflammation.
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