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Dong Z, Myklebust Å, Johnsen IB, Jartti T, Døllner H, Risnes K, DeWan AT. Type 2 cytokine genes as allergic asthma risk factors after viral bronchiolitis in early childhood. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1054119. [PMID: 36685501 PMCID: PMC9852873 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1054119] [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: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Genome-wide association studies of asthma have identified associations with variants in type-2 related genes. Also, specific interactions between genetic variants and viral bronchiolitis in the development of asthma has been suggested. Objective To conduct a gene-based analysis of genetic variants in type 2 cytokine related genes as risk factors for allergic asthma at school age, and further, to study their interaction with specific viral infections in early childhood. Methods A prospectively investigated cohort of children with previous bronchiolitis and controls came for follow-up at school age. The research visit, blinded to viral exposure, included detailed lung function tests, laboratory investigation, and questionnaires. Allergic asthma was defined as typical symptoms plus objective variable airway obstruction, in addition to laboratory verified atopy (elevated eosinophil count or sensitization to an allergen). Targeted and complete sequencing was performed for nine type 2 cytokine candidate genes: IL4, 5, 13, 25, 33 and 37, IL17RB, CRLF2 and TSLP. Results At follow-up, there were 109 children with genetic data, 91 with a history of bronchiolitis (46% respiratory syncytial virus, 24% human rhinovirus, 15% human metapneumovirus and 14% mixed viral etiology) and 18 without. The median age was 9.4 years (range 6-13) and 41 (38%) had laboratory verified atopy. Twenty-one children (19%) met the definition of allergic asthma. After adjusting for age, sex and five viral categories, IL33 achieved nominal significance (p = 0.017) for a positive association with allergic asthma development. In the gene-virus interaction analysis, the variant set in IL17RB demonstrated a nominally significant positive interaction with human metapneumovirus infection (p=0.05). Conclusion The results highlight the multifactorial nature of allergic asthma risk, with both viral infection and inherited genetic variants contributing to increasing risk. Results for IL33 and IL17RB were nominally significant and are potential candidate targets for designing therapeutics and early screening, but these results must be replicated in an independent study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihan Dong
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States,Center for Perinatal, Pediatric and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Åsne Myklebust
- Children’s Clinic, St Olav Hospital, University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway,Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ingvild Bjellmo Johnsen
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Tuomas Jartti
- PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland,Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland,Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Henrik Døllner
- Children’s Clinic, St Olav Hospital, University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway,Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kari Risnes
- Children’s Clinic, St Olav Hospital, University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway,Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway,*Correspondence: Andrew T. DeWan, ; Kari Risnes,
| | - Andrew T. DeWan
- Center for Perinatal, Pediatric and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States,Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States,*Correspondence: Andrew T. DeWan, ; Kari Risnes,
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Abstract
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a pleiotropic cytokine that acts on multiple cell lineages, including dendritic cells, T cells, B cells, neutrophils, mast cells, eosinophils and innate lymphoid cells, affecting their maturation, survival and recruitment. It is best known for its role in promoting type 2 immune responses such as in allergic diseases and, in 2021, a monoclonal antibody targeting TSLP was approved for the treatment of severe asthma. However, it is now clear that TSLP has many other important roles in a variety of settings. Indeed, several genetic variants for TSLP are linked to disease severity, and chromosomal alterations in TSLP are common in certain cancers, indicating important roles of TSLP in disease. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in TSLP biology, highlighting how it regulates the tissue environment not only in allergic disease but also in infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases and cancer. Encouragingly, therapies targeting the TSLP pathway are being actively pursued for several diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Ebina-Shibuya
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Warren J Leonard
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Kurihara M, Kabata H, Irie M, Fukunaga K. Current summary of clinical studies on anti-TSLP antibody, Tezepelumab, in asthma. Allergol Int 2023; 72:24-30. [PMID: 36470789 DOI: 10.1016/j.alit.2022.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an epithelial cell-derived cytokine that plays a vital role in the induction of type 2 inflammation via both innate and acquired immune cascades. Tezepelumab, a human IgG2 monoclonal antibody that inhibits the binding of TSLP to the TSLP receptor, is the latest biologic for asthma. To evaluate the efficacy and mechanism of tezepelumab in asthma, the PATHWAY, NAVIGATOR, NOZOMI, UPSTREAM, CASCADE, SOURCE, and DESTINATION studies have been conducted. These results suggested that tezepelumab is a broad-target biologic, which is expected to be effective in patients with poorly controlled moderate to severe asthma regardless of the phenotype, although its efficacy in oral corticosteroids-dependent asthma, biological mechanism in non-type 2 phenotype, and long-term safety remain unknown. In this review, we summarize the results of clinical trials of tezepelumab in asthma and discuss the differences between tezepelumab and other biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Momoko Kurihara
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kabata
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Misato Irie
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Fukunaga
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Borghi SM, Zaninelli TH, Carra JB, Heintz OK, Baracat MM, Georgetti SR, Vicentini FTMC, Verri WA, Casagrande R. Therapeutic Potential of Controlled Delivery Systems in Asthma: Preclinical Development of Flavonoid-Based Treatments. Pharmaceutics 2022; 15:pharmaceutics15010001. [PMID: 36678631 PMCID: PMC9865502 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic disease with increasing prevalence and incidence, manifested by allergic inflammatory reactions, and is life-threatening for patients with severe disease. Repetitive challenges with the allergens and limitation of treatment efficacy greatly dampens successful management of asthma. The adverse events related to several drugs currently used, such as corticosteroids and β-agonists, and the low rigorous adherence to preconized protocols likely compromises a more assertive therapy. Flavonoids represent a class of natural compounds with extraordinary antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, with their potential benefits already demonstrated for several diseases, including asthma. Advanced technology has been used in the pharmaceutical field to improve the efficacy and safety of drugs. Notably, there is also an increasing interest for the application of these techniques using natural products as active molecules. Flavones, flavonols, flavanones, and chalcones are examples of flavonoid compounds that were tested in controlled delivery systems for asthma treatment, and which achieved better treatment results in comparison to their free forms. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the development of novel controlled delivery systems to enhance the therapeutic potential of flavonoids as active molecules for asthma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio M. Borghi
- Department of Pathology, Center of Biological Sciences, Londrina State University, Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil
- Center for Research in Health Sciences, University of Northern Paraná, Londrina 86041-120, PR, Brazil
| | - Tiago H. Zaninelli
- Department of Pathology, Center of Biological Sciences, Londrina State University, Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil
| | - Jéssica B. Carra
- Department of Chemistry, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil
| | - Olivia K. Heintz
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marcela M. Baracat
- Department of Chemistry, State University of Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center of Health Science, Londrina State University, Londrina 86038-440, PR, Brazil
| | - Sandra R. Georgetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center of Health Science, Londrina State University, Londrina 86038-440, PR, Brazil
| | - Fabiana T. M. C. Vicentini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Waldiceu A. Verri
- Department of Pathology, Center of Biological Sciences, Londrina State University, Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil
- Correspondence: or (W.A.V.); or (R.C.); Tel.: +55-43-3371-4979 (W.A.V.); +55-43-3371-2476 (R.C.); Fax: +55-43-3371-4387 (W.A.V.)
| | - Rubia Casagrande
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center of Health Science, Londrina State University, Londrina 86038-440, PR, Brazil
- Correspondence: or (W.A.V.); or (R.C.); Tel.: +55-43-3371-4979 (W.A.V.); +55-43-3371-2476 (R.C.); Fax: +55-43-3371-4387 (W.A.V.)
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Parnes JR, Molfino NA, Colice G, Martin U, Corren J, Menzies-Gow A. Targeting TSLP in Asthma. J Asthma Allergy 2022; 15:749-765. [PMID: 35685846 PMCID: PMC9172920 DOI: 10.2147/jaa.s275039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an epithelial cell-derived cytokine implicated in the initiation and persistence of inflammatory pathways in asthma. Released in response to a range of epithelial insults (eg, allergens, viruses, bacteria, pollutants, and smoke), TSLP initiates multiple downstream innate and adaptive immune responses involved in asthma inflammation. Inhibition of TSLP is postulated to represent a novel approach to treating the diverse phenotypes and endotypes of asthma. Tezepelumab, the TSLP inhibitor farthest along in clinical development, is a human monoclonal antibody (IgG2λ) that binds specifically to TSLP, preventing interactions with its heterodimeric receptor. Results of recently published phase 2 and 3 studies, reviewed in this article, provide evidence of the safety and efficacy of tezepelumab that builds on initial findings. Tezepelumab is safe, well tolerated, and provides clinically meaningful improvements in asthma control, including reduced incidence of exacerbations and hospitalizations in patients with severe asthma. Clinical benefits were associated with reductions in levels of a broad spectrum of cytokines (eg, interleukin [IL]-5, IL-13) and baseline biomarkers (eg, blood eosinophils, immunoglobulin [Ig]E, fractional exhaled nitric oxide [FeNO]) and were observed across a range of severe asthma phenotypes (ie, eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic). These data strengthen the notion that anti-TSLP elicits broad inhibitory effects on pathways that are key to asthma inflammation rather than on narrower inhibition of individual downstream factors. This review presents the rationale for targeting TSLP to treat asthma, as well as the clinical effects of TSLP blockade on asthma outcomes, biomarkers of disease activity, airway inflammation, lung physiology, and patient symptoms.
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Ragnoli B, Morjaria J, Pignatti P, Montuschi P, Barbieri M, Mondini L, Ruggero L, Trotta L, Malerba M. Dupilumab and tezepelumab in severe refractory asthma: new opportunities. Ther Adv Chronic Dis 2022; 13:20406223221097327. [PMID: 35655942 PMCID: PMC9152192 DOI: 10.1177/20406223221097327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition with increasing prevalence worldwide that may present as heterogeneous phenotypes defined by the T2-mediated pattern of airway inflammation T2-high and T2-low asthma. Severe refractory asthma includes a subset of asthmatic patients who fail to control their disease despite maximal therapy and represent a group of patients needing marked resource utilization and hence may be eligible to add-on biological therapies. Among the new biologics, we focused our attention on two monoclonal antibodies: dupilumab, exerting a dual blockade of cytokine (interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13) signaling; and tezepelumab, acting at a higher level preventing the binding of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) to its receptor, thus blocking TSLP, IL-25, and IL-33 signaling, hence modulating airway T2 immune responses. With their different mechanisms of action, these two biologics represent important options to provide an enhanced personalized treatment regimen. Several clinical trials have been conducted testing the efficacy and safety of dupilumab in severe refractory asthmatic patients showing improvements in lung function, asthma control, and reducing exacerbations. Similar results were reported with tezepelumab that, differently from dupilumab, acts irrespectively on eosinophilic or non-eosinophilic phenotype. In this review, we provide an overview of the most important highlights regarding dupilumab and tezepelumab characteristics and mechanism of action with a critical review of the principal results of clinical (Phase II and III) studies concluded and those still in progress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaymin Morjaria
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Harefield Hospital, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Harefield, UK
| | - Patrizia Pignatti
- Allergy and Immunology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Paolo Montuschi
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
- Airways Disease Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | - Luca Ruggero
- Respiratory Unit, S. Andrea Hospital, Vercelli, Italy
| | | | - Mario Malerba
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Respiratory Unit, S. Andrea Hospital, Vercelli, Italy
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