Tobacco smoke exposure recruits inflammatory airspace monocytes that establish permissive lung niches for Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Deciphering the role of IL-17D, its newly identified receptor CD93, and IL-17D-CD93 axis in health and disease

This review explores interleukin (IL)-17D and its receptor CD93, highlighting their structural, functional, and clinical aspects. Identifying CD93 as the receptor for IL-17D has advanced understanding of the IL-17 family and its signaling pathways. IL-17D, with its unique glycoprotein structure, plays diverse roles in oxidative stress response and potential antitumor therapies. It is involved in autoimmune diseases, infections, and cancers, making it a promising therapeutic target. CD93 is crucial in various biological processes, from angiogenesis to inflammatory diseases. CD93's implications in cancers, neuroinflammation, and metabolism highlight its significance as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target. The review emphasizes IL-17D and CD93 as promising areas for future research, offering insights into their signaling pathways and potential applications in personalized medicine. Deciphering the relationship between IL-17D and CD93 is in its infancy and invites exploration for transformative advancements in immunology and beyond.

Antagonistic effects of smoking and maternal glycemia on fetal growth: a retrospective study among 13,958 pregnant French women

Introduction

Smoking and hyperglycemia first diagnosed during pregnancy (H1inP) have opposing effects on fetal growth. The aim of this study was to explore adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly fetal growth, according to the smoking and H1inP status.

Methods

We included 13,958 women from a large French dataset (2012-2018). Using multivariable regression analyses, we retrospectively evaluated the risk of large-for-gestational-age (LGA) babies and other adverse outcomes according to the H1inP and smoking status in four groups: no H1inP/non-smoker (group A: n = 10,454, 88.2%), no H1inP/smoker (group B: n = 819, 5.9%), H1inP/non-smoker (group C: n = 2,570, 18.4%), and H1inP/smoker (group D: n = 115, 0.8%).

Results

The rates of LGA were 8.9%, 4.0%, 14.6%, and 8.7% in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively (global ANOVA p < 0.0001, factor H1inP p = 0.0003, factor smoking p = 0.0002, and interaction p = 0.48). After adjustment for potential confounders including age, body mass index, employment, ethnicity, parity, hypertension before pregnancy, gestational weight gain, and alcohol and drug consumption, H1inP was associated with a higher risk [odds ratio (OR) = 1.50, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.30-1.74] and smoking with a lower risk (OR = 0.35, 95%CI = 0.25-0.50) of LGA. In addition, H1inP was associated with a lower total gestational weight gain and a lower rate of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) babies, but higher rates of hypertensive disorders and more frequent caesarean sections and admissions in the neonatal intensive care unit. Smoking was associated with higher rates of SGA, including severe SGA (<3rd centile), and this despite a higher total gestational weight gain. Smoking increased the risk of hypertensive disorders only in women with H1inP.

Discussion

Smoking among women with H1inP could mask the risk of maternal hyperglycemia for LGA babies. This could provide a false sense of security for women with H1inP who smoke, particularly when assessing for LGA alone, but these women still face other risks to their health, such as hypertensive disorders and the health of the fetus.

The dynamic change of tuberculosis infection prevalence in rural residents: 10-year follow-up of a population-based, multicentre cohort study from China

Background

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) decreased significantly in recent years in China. However, the declining in the burden of tuberculosis infection (TBI) have not been systematically evaluated. The aim of this study was to elucidate the changes of TBI prevalence during the past decade.

Methods

Based on a population-based, multicenter cohort study (LATENTTB-NSTM), a 10-year follow-up survey was conducted among registered residents (≥18 years old) at two study sites (Zhongmu and Danyang) using open-cohort design. After excluding active TB, tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) were used to determine TBI status of each participant.

Findings

Overall, 5924 eligible participants who completed the follow-up survey were included in the analysis. Compared to the age- and gender-standardized TBI prevalence determined by IGRA in 2013, the prevalence of TBI was observed to be decreased by 22·24% (from 15·11% to 11·75%) in Danyang site and by 40·86% (from 16·57% to 9·80%) in Zhongmu site in 2023. A consistently declining trend was observed as well for TBI prevalence determined by TST test. The acquisition of TBI in 10 years was assessed by the conversion rate of IGRA result in 4648 participants who participated in both the 2013 and 2023 surveys. The IGRA conversion rate in Danyang site was significantly higher than that in Zhongmu site (4% vs. 2%, p < 0·0001). The reversion rate of IGRA result was assessed as well, and no statistically significant difference was observed between the two study sites (29% in Danyang site vs. 31% in Zhongmu site, p = 0·577). Male gender was found to be associated with an increased risk of IGRA conversion as compared to female, with adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1·46 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1·00-2·13). In addition, never smokers were observed to be associated with significantly higher IGRA reversion rates (OR = 2·91, 95% CI: 1·52-5·57) (p = 0.001) as compared to current smokers. We also found the influence of BCG vaccination at birth on TST positivity was non-significant among individuals aged 15 and above.

Interpretation

Our findings suggest that the prevalence of TBI in rural residents from China has significantly decreased along with the declining of TB incidence in the last decade. The downward trend shows regional differences, which might be partly explained by the difference in new infection rates across regions.

Funding

The CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Analysis of the epidemiological trends of Tuberculosis in China from 2000 to 2021 based on the joinpoint regression model

BACKGROUND

China is ranked third globally in terms of burden and has a moderately high to high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB). This study meticulously investigated the notification rates of TB and assessed the epidemic in China from 2000 to 2021. The aim of the study was to provide robust supporting data that is crucial for enhancing TB prevention and control strategies.

METHODS

Extensive data regarding TB notification rates in China between 2000 and 2021 was collected. The joinpoint regression model was subsequently utilized to assess the temporal trends in the notification rates of TB, which were analyzed through the annual percentage change (APC) and the average annual percentage change (AAPC).

RESULTS

During the study period (2000-2021), the standardized notification rates of TB in China ranged from 38.89/100,000 to 101.15/100,000, with a significant annual average decrease of 4.43% (P < 0.05). Before the COVID-19 pandemic, a marked acceleration in this decline was observed from 2006 to 2015, with an APC of 4.62% (P < 0.05). Stratified by age and sex, the age group with the most significant annual decline in overall standardized notification rates of TB among males in China was < 15 years old, followed by 55-64 years old, and the group with the least decrease was 25-44 years old. Similarly, the age group with the most significant annual decline in standardized notification rates of TB among females was < 15 years old.

CONCLUSIONS

The epidemic of TB in China exhibited a downward trajectory between 2000 and 2021. However, it is imperative to prioritize the attention given to males and older adults, and to promote specific and effective prevention and control strategies for these populations.

Immunological characteristics of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and blood across connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung diseases

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a serious complication of connective tissue diseases (CTDs). The heterogeneity of ILDs reflects differences in pathogenesis among diseases. This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of CTD-ILDs via a detailed analysis of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood immune cells. BALF and blood samples were collected from 39 Japanese patients with newly diagnosed ILD: five patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS), eight patients with dermatomyositis (DM), six patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), six patients with systemic sclerosis, four patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis, and 10 patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze the gene expression profiles in these patients' immune cells. In patients with SS, B cells in the BALF were increased and genes associated with the innate and acquired immunity were enriched in both the BALF and blood. In contrast, patients with DM showed an upregulation of genes associated with viral infection in both the BALF and blood. In patients with RA, neutrophils in the BALF tended to increase, and their gene expression patterns changed towards inflammation. These disease-specific characteristics may help us understand the pathogenesis for each disease and discover potential biomarkers.

Inflammatory and Immune Mechanisms in COPD: Current Status and Therapeutic Prospects

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) currently ranks among the top three causes of mortality worldwide, presenting as a prevalent and complex respiratory ailment. Ongoing research has underscored the pivotal role of immune function in the onset and progression of COPD. The immune response in COPD patients exhibits abnormalities, characterized by diminished anti-infection capacity due to immune senescence, heightened activation of neutrophils and macrophages, T cell infiltration, and aberrant B cell activity, collectively contributing to airway inflammation and lung injury in COPD.

Objective

This review aimed to explore the pivotal role of the immune system in COPD and its therapeutic potential.

Methods

We conducted a review of immunity and COPD published within the past decade in the Web of Science and PubMed databases, sorting through and summarizing relevant literature.

Results

This article examines the pivotal roles of the immune system in COPD. Understanding the specific functions and interactions of these immune cells could facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies and interventions aimed at controlling inflammation, enhancing immune function, and mitigating the impact of respiratory infections in COPD patients.

Hyperglycaemia in Pregnancy Is Less Frequent in Smokers: A French Observational Study of 15,801 Women

Background: We aimed to explore the still-debated association between smoking and hyperglycaemia in pregnancy (HIP). Methods: A multiethnic prospective study of 15,801 women who delivered at Jean Verdier University Hospital between 2012 and 2018. Of these, 13,943 (88.2%) were non-smokers, 624 (4.5%) former smokers, and 1234 (7.8%) current smokers. Universal HIP screening was proposed to the entire sample (IADPSG/WHO criteria). Results: A total of 13,958 women were screened for HIP. Uptake differed between non-smokers, former smokers, and current smokers (89.5%, 88.3%, and 75.7%, respectively, p < 0.0001). HIP prevalence in these groups was 19.9%, 15.4%, and 12.3%, respectively (p < 0.0001). After adjusting for age, body mass index, family history of diabetes, history of HIP, history of macrosomic baby, and ethnicity, current (odds ratio 0.790 [95% confidence interval 0.636-0.981], p < 0.05) but not former (1.017 [0.792-1.306]) smokers were less likely to have HIP than non-smokers. Furthermore, 1 h and 2 h oral plasma glucose test values were lower in current smokers than in non-smokers (p < 0.01). To exclude potential selection bias, we compared risk factors for HIP and HIP-related adverse pregnancy outcomes in current smokers according to HIP screening status. Compared with screened current smokers (n = 934), their unscreened counterparts (n = 300) were younger, less frequently employed, and more likely to be of non-European origin. Moreover, infant birthweight was lower in this group, and preterm deliveries and perinatal deaths were more likely (all p < 0.01). Conclusions: Smoking during pregnancy was independently associated with lower HIP prevalence. The low HIP screening rate in current smokers did not explain this finding.

Clinicopathological association of CD93 expression in gastric adenocarcinoma

AIMS

CD93 was recently identified as a promising therapeutic target for angiogenesis blockade in various tumors. Herein, we aimed to investigate the expression and clinicopathological significance of CD93 in gastric adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

The gene expression of CD93 gastric adenocarcinoma was assessed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. We then analyzed CD93 expression in 404 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma using immunohistochemistry. Clinicopathological associations and prognostic implications of CD93 expression were further investigated.

RESULTS

Using the TCGA dataset, we observed a significantly elevated CD93 gene expression in gastric adenocarcinoma compared to normal gastric tissues. The immunohistochemistry assay revealed a highly variable CD93 expression among patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, consistently demonstrating higher intratumor expression than in adjacent normal tissues. Notably, CD93 was predominantly expressed on the membrane of CD31+ vascular endothelial cells. Furthermore, patients with higher CD93 expression demonstrated significantly poorer overall survival. Accordingly, higher CD93 expression was associated with deeper invasion and a higher possibility of lymph node metastasis and developing tumor thrombus. Cox proportional hazards regression suggested CD93 expression was an independent predictor for the prognosis of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed a significantly higher CD93 expression in gastric adenocarcinoma when compared with adjacent normal gastric tissues, and demonstrated its predominant expression on vascular endothelial cells. Our findings also highlighted the clinicopathological significance of CD93 in gastric adenocarcinoma, shedding light on a potential therapeutic target.

Benzothiadiazinone-1,1-Dioxide Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors Suppress the Growth of Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains

2H-Benzo[e][1,2,4]thiadiazin-3(4H)-one 1,1-dioxide (BTD) based carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitors are here explored as new anti-mycobacterial agents. The chemical features of BTD derivatives meet the criteria for a potent inhibition of β-class CA isozymes. BTD derivatives show chemical features meeting the criteria for a potent inhibition of β-class CA isozymes. Specifically, three β-CAs (MtCA1, MtCA2, and MtCA3) were identified in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and their inhibition was shown to exert an antitubercular action. BTDs derivatives 2a-q effectively inhibited the mycobacterial CAs, especially MtCA2 and MtCA3, with Ki values up to a low nanomolar range (MtCA3, Ki = 15.1-2250 nM; MtCA2, Ki = 38.1-4480 nM) and with a significant selectivity ratio over the off-target human CAs I and II. A computational study was conducted to elucidate the compound structure-activity relationship. Importantly, the most potent MtCA inhibitors demonstrated efficacy in inhibiting the growth of M. tuberculosis strains resistant to both rifampicin and isoniazid-standard reference drugs for Tuberculosis treatment.