The Innate Immune Protein S100A9 Protects from T-Helper Cell Type 2-mediated Allergic Airway Inflammation

Co-exposure to polyethylene microplastics and house dust mites aggravates airway epithelial barrier dysfunction and airway inflammation via CXCL1 signaling pathway in a mouse model

BACKGROUND

Environmental pollutants have been found to contribute to the development and acute exacerbation of asthma. Microplastics (MPs) have received widespread attention as an emerging global pollutant. Airborne MPs can cause various adverse health effects. Due to their hydrophobicity, MPs can act as a carrier for other pollutants, pathogens, and allergens. This carrier effect of MPs may adsorb allergens and thus make the body exposed to MPs and a large number of allergens simultaneously. We hypothesized that co-exposure to inhaled MPs and aeroallergens may promote the development of airway inflammation of asthma by disrupting the airway epithelial barrier.

METHODS

The effects of co-exposure to Polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) and allergens on allergic airway inflammation and airway epithelial barrier were examined in a mouse model of asthma. The mice were divided into four groups: (i) Control group, treated only with PBS; (ii) MP group, exposed to PE-MPs and PBS; (iii) HDM group, mice were sensitized and challenged with HDM, and intranasally treated with PBS; (iv) HDM + MP group, mice were sensitized and challenged with HDM, and intranasally treated with PE-MPs. Histology and ELISA assays were used to evaluate the severity of airway inflammation. FITC-dextran permeability assay, immunofluorescence assay, and RT-PCR were used to evaluate the airway epithelial barrier function and the expression of relevant molecules. Transcriptomics analysis with lung tissue sequencing was conducted to identify possible pathways responsible for the effects of PE-MPs.

RESULTS

Co-exposure of mice to PE-MPs and HDM induced a higher degree of inflammatory cell infiltration, bronchial goblet cell hyperplasia, collagen deposition, allergen sensitization, and Th2 immune bias than exposure to HDM alone. Co-exposure to PE-MPs and HDM aggravated oxidative stress injury in the lung and the production of cytokine IL-33 in the BALF. In addition, co-exposure of mice to PE-MPs and HDM resulted in a more pronounced decrease in the expression of relevant molecules of the airway epithelial barrier and more significant increase in the permeability of airway epithelia. Lung tissue transcriptomics analysis revealed that PE-MPs exposure was associated with CXCL1 signaling and neutrophil activation.

CONCLUSION

Co-exposure to MPs and HDM may promote airway inflammation and airway epithelial barrier disruption and induce immune responses characterized by CXCL1 signaling and neutrophilic inflammation.

Advanced Age Worsens Respiratory Function and Pulmonary Inflammation After Burn Injury and This Correlates With Changes in the Fecal Microbiome in Mice

Cutaneous burn injury in the elderly is associated with poor clinical outcomes and increased pulmonary-related complications. We and others have shown that burn injury triggers a cascade of inflammatory mediators which increase gut permeability and dysbiosis of the fecal microbiota and this is more dramatic in the aged. Since crosstalk between intestinal microbes and the lung, termed the "gut-lung axis," impacts immunity and homeostasis in the airway, we hypothesized that the increased intestinal dysbiosis in age and burn injury may contribute to excessive pulmonary inflammation and poor prognosis after injury. To explore this hypothesis, we used a clinically relevant murine model of burn injury in which young and aged mice are subjected to a 12% TBSA dorsal scald burn or sham injury. About 24 h after injury, lung function was assessed and lungs and feces were collected for analysis of inflammatory mediators and fecal microbial species. The results show that, when compared to younger mice, burn injury in aged mice triggers a decline in respiratory function and exacerbates pulmonary inflammation. In addition to heightened levels of the neutrophil recruiting chemokine CXCL1, aged mice displayed a profound increase in the pro-inflammatory protein, calprotectin, in the lung after burn injury. Comparison of the fecal microbiome and inflammatory markers in the lung revealed unique, age-dependent, correlation patterns between individual taxa and pulmonary inflammation. Taken together, these findings suggest that the postburn dysbiosis of the gut flora in aged mice may contribute to the changes in pulmonary inflammatory profiles.

Dietary zinc deficiency promotes Acinetobacter baumannii lung infection via IL-13 in mice

Dietary zinc deficiency is a major risk factor for pneumonia. Acinetobacter baumannii is a leading cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia and a critical public health threat due to increasing rates of multidrug resistance. Patient populations at increased risk for A. baumannii pneumonia are also at increased risk of zinc deficiency. Here we established a mouse model of dietary zinc deficiency and acute A. baumannii pneumonia to test the hypothesis that host zinc deficiency contributes to A. baumannii pathogenesis. We showed that zinc-deficient mice have significantly increased A. baumannii burdens in the lungs, dissemination to the spleen and higher mortality. During infection, zinc-deficient mice produce more pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-13. Administration of IL-13 promotes A. baumannii dissemination in zinc-sufficient mice, while antibody neutralization of IL-13 protects zinc-deficient mice from A. baumannii dissemination and mortality during infection. These data highlight the therapeutic potential of anti-IL-13 antibody treatments, which are well tolerated in humans, for the treatment of pneumonia.

Calprotectin is regulated by IL-17A and induces steroid hyporesponsiveness in asthma

BACKGROUND

Calprotectin, a calcium-binding protein, plays a crucial role in inflammation and has been associated with various inflammatory diseases, including asthma. However, its regulation and impact on steroid hyporesponsiveness, especially in severe asthma, remain poorly understood.

METHODS

This study investigated the regulation of calprotectin proteins (S100A8 and S100A9) by IL-17 and its role in steroid hyporesponsiveness using in vitro and in vivo models. Calprotectin expression was assessed in primary bronchial fibroblasts from healthy controls and severe asthmatic patients, as well as in mouse models of steroid hyporesponsive lung inflammation induced by house dust mite (HDM) allergen and cyclic-di-GMP (cdiGMP) adjuvant. The effects of IL-17A stimulation on calprotectin expression and steroid response markers in bronchial epithelial and fibroblast cells were examined. Additionally, the therapeutic potential of paquinimod, a calprotectin inhibitor, in mitigating airway inflammation and restoring steroid response signatures in the mouse model was evaluated.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated upregulation of calprotectin expression in asthmatic bronchial fibroblasts compared to healthy controls, as well as in refractory asthma samples compared to non-refractory asthma. IL-17 stimulation induced calprotectin expression and dysregulated glucocorticoid response signatures in lung epithelial and fibroblast cells. Treatment with paquinimod reversed IL-17-induced dysregulation of steroid signatures, indicating the involvement of calprotectin in this process. In the HDM/cdiGMP mouse model, paquinimod significantly attenuated airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness, and restored steroid response signatures, whereas dexamethasone showed limited efficacy. Mechanistically, paquinimod inhibited MAPK/ERK and NF-κB pathways downstream of calprotectin, leading to reduced lung inflammation.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight calprotectin as a potential therapeutic target regulated by IL-17 in steroid hyporesponsive asthma. Targeting calprotectin may offer a promising approach to alleviate airway inflammation and restore steroid responsiveness in severe asthma. Further investigations are warranted to explore its therapeutic potential in clinical settings and elucidate its broader implications in steroid mechanisms of action.

Loss of a single Zn finger, but not that of two Zn fingers, of GATA3 drives skin inflammation

Transcription factor GATA3 is essential for the developmental processes of T cells. Recently, the silencer of a cytokine IFNγ gene was identified, the inhibitory activity of which requires GATA3. GATA3 has 2 Zn fingers and the commonly used GATA3 deficient mice lack both fingers (D2). We have established a mouse line that lacks only one Zn finger close to the C terminus (D1). The D1 mice line developed dermatitis, which was not observed in D2 mice. The expression of S100a8/S100a9 was elevated in D1 to a level higher than in D2, suggesting their roles in dermatitis development. CD8 T cells of both D1 and D2 lines expressed inhibitory receptors associated with the exhausted state. In the absence of MHC class II, the skin inflammation was exacerbated in both lines. The gene expression pattern of CD8 T cells became similar to that of effector T cells. Blocking Ab against LAG3 upregulated the expression of the effector molecules of T cells. These results suggest that the disfunction of GATA3 can lead to the spontaneous activation of CD8 T cells that causes skin inflammation, and that suppressive activity of MHC class II - LAG3 interaction ameliorates dermatitis development.

Alarming and calming: Dual functions of S100A9 on Mycoplasma gallisepticun infection in avian cells

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is the primary causative agent of chronic respiratory disease (CRD) in chickens, characterized by respiratory inflammation. S100A9 plays a pivotal role in modulating the inflammatory response to microbial pathogens. Our prior investigation revealed a significant upregulation of S100A9 in the lungs of chickens following MG infection. This study delves into the immunomodulatory effects of S100A9 during MG infection, demonstrating a notable increase in S100A9 levels in the lungs, immune organs, alveolar epithelial type II cells (AECII), and macrophage HD11 cells of MG-infected chicks and embryos. In MG-infected AECII cells, S100A9 overexpression significantly enhanced MG proliferation and adhesion, suppressed AVBD1, NFκB, pro-inflammatory factors (IL1β and TNFα), and chemokines, reduced apoptosis, and promoted cell proliferation, thereby facilitating MG infection. Conversely, inhibiting S100A9 produced opposing effects. In MG-infected HD11 cells, S100A9 impeded MG proliferation and adhesion, increased AVBD1, NFκB, pro-inflammatory factors, and chemokines, and induced cell apoptosis while inhibiting proliferation. Additional results demonstrated that S100A9 facilitates MG infection by modulating the TLR7/NFκB/JAK/STAT pathway in AECII/HD11 cells. In summary, S100A9 exhibits a dual role in activating/inhibiting the natural immune response through TLR7/NFκB/JAK/STAT pathway regulation. This dual role promotes MG infection in AECII cells while enabling MG to evade immune surveillance by HD11 cells, ultimately enhancing the overall infection process. These findings advance our understanding of host-pathogen interactions during MG infection and underscore S100A9's potential as a therapeutic target for CRD in chickens.

Immunostimulatory Effect of Flagellin on MDR-Klebsiella-Infected Human Airway Epithelial Cells

Pneumonia caused by multi-drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR-Kpneu) poses a major public health threat, especially to immunocompromised or hospitalized patients. This study aimed to determine the immunostimulatory effect of the Toll-like receptor 5 ligand flagellin on primary human lung epithelial cells during infection with MDR-Kpneu. Human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells, grown on an air-liquid interface, were inoculated with MDR-Kpneu on the apical side and treated during ongoing infection with antibiotics (meropenem) and/or flagellin on the basolateral and apical side, respectively; the antimicrobial and inflammatory effects of flagellin were determined in the presence or absence of meropenem. In the absence of meropenem, flagellin treatment of MDR-Kpneu-infected HBE cells increased the expression of antibacterial defense genes and the secretion of chemokines; moreover, supernatants of flagellin-exposed HBE cells activated blood neutrophils and monocytes. However, in the presence of meropenem, flagellin did not augment these responses compared to meropenem alone. Flagellin did not impact the outgrowth of MDR-Kpneu. Flagellin enhances antimicrobial gene expression and chemokine release by the MDR-Kpneu-infected primary human bronchial epithelium, which is associated with the release of mediators that activate neutrophils and monocytes. Topical flagellin therapy may have potential to boost immune responses in the lung during pneumonia.

Identification of differences in CD4+ T-cell gene expression between people with asthma and healthy controls

Functional enrichment analysis of genome-wide association study (GWAS)-summary statistics has suggested that CD4+ T-cells play an important role in asthma pathogenesis. Despite this, CD4+ T-cells are under-represented in asthma transcriptome studies. To fill the gap, 3'-RNA-Seq was used to generate gene expression data on CD4+ T-cells (isolated within 2 h from collection) from peripheral blood from participants with well-controlled asthma (n = 32) and healthy controls (n = 11). Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify sets of co-expressed genes (modules) associated with the asthma phenotype. We identified three modules associated with asthma, which are strongly enriched for GWAS-identified asthma genes, antigen processing/presentation and immune response to viral infections. Through integration of publicly available eQTL and GWAS summary statistics (colocalisation), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) data, we identified PTPRC, a potential druggable target, as a putative master regulator of the asthma gene-expression profiles. Using a co-expression network approach, with integration of external genetic and PPI data, we showed that CD4+ T-cells from peripheral blood from asthmatics have different expression profiles, albeit small in magnitude, compared to healthy controls, for sets of genes involved in immune response to viral infections (upregulated) and antigen processing/presentation (downregulated).

Prognostic significance of peripheral blood S100A12, S100A8, and S100A9 concentrations in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND

S100A12, S100A8, and S100A9 are inflammatory disease biomarkers whose functional significance in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains unclear. We evaluated the significance of S100A12, S100A8, and S100A9 levels in IPF development and prognosis.

METHODS

The dataset was collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and differentially expressed genes were screened using GEO2R. We conducted a retrospective study of 106 patients with IPF to explore the relationships between different biomarkers and poor outcomes. Pearson's correlation coefficient, Kaplan-Meier, Cox regression, and functional enrichment analyses were used to evaluate relationships between these biomarkers' levels and clinical parameters or prognosis.

RESULTS

Serum levels of S100A12, S100A8, and S100A9 were significantly elevated in patients with IPF. The two most significant co-expression genes of S100A12 were S100A8 and S100A9. Patients with levels of S100A12 (median 231.21 ng/mL), S100A9 (median 57.09 ng/mL) or S100A8 (median 52.20 ng/mL), as well as combined elevated S100A12, S100A9, and S100A8 levels, exhibited shorter progression-free survival and overall survival. Serum S100A12 and S100A8, S100A12 and S100A9, S100A9 and S100A8 concentrations also displayed a strong positive correlation (rs2 = 0.4558, rs2 = 0.4558, rs2 = 0.6373; P < 0.001). S100A12 and S100A8/9 concentrations were independent of FVC%, DLCO%, and other clinical parameters (age, laboratory test data, and smoking habit). Finally, in multivariate analysis, the serum levels of S100A12, S100A8, and S100A9 were significant prognostic factors (hazard ratio 1.002, P = 0.032, hazard ratio 1.039, P = 0.001, and hazard ratio 1.048, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

S100A12, S100A8, and S100A9 are promising circulating biomarkers that may aid in determining IPF patient prognosis. Multicenter clinical trials are needed to confirm their clinical value.

S100A alarmins and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) regulation in severe asthma following bronchial thermoplasty

RATIONALE

Severe asthma affects a small proportion of asthmatics but represents a significant healthcare challenge. Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is an interventional treatment approach preconized for uncontrolled severe asthma after considering biologics therapy. It was showed that BT long-lastingly improves asthma control. These improvements seem to be related to the ability of BT to reduce airway smooth muscle remodeling, reduce the number of nerve fibers and to modulate bronchial epithelium integrity and behavior. Current evidence suggest that BT downregulates epithelial mucins expression, cytokine production and metabolic profile. Despite these observations, biological mechanisms explaining asthma control improvement post-BT are still not well understood.

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether BT affects gene signatures in bronchial epithelial cells (BECs).

METHODS

In this study we evaluated the transcriptome of cultured bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) of severe asthmatics obtained pre- and post-BT treatment using microarrays. We further validated gene and protein expressions in BECs and in bronchial biopsies with immunohistochemistry pre- and post-BT treatment.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Transcriptomics analysis revealed that a large portion of differentially expressed genes (DEG) was involved in anti-viral response, anti-microbial response and pathogen induced cytokine storm signaling pathway. S100A gene family stood out as five members of this family where consistently downregulated post-BT. Further validation revealed that S100A7, S100A8, S100A9 and their receptor (RAGE, TLR4, CD36) expressions were highly enriched in severe asthmatic BECs. Further, these S100A family members were downregulated at the gene and protein levels in BECs and in bronchial biopsies of severe asthmatics post-BT. TLR4 and CD36 protein expression were also reduced in BECs post-BT. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and human β-defensin 2 (hBD2) were significantly decreased while no significant change was observed in IL-25 and IL-33.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that BT might improve asthma control by downregulating epithelial derived S100A family expression and related downstream signaling pathways.

Study on Potential Differentially Expressed Genes in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis by Bioinformatics and Next-Generation Sequencing Data Analysis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive lung disease with reduced quality of life and earlier mortality, but its pathogenesis and key genes are still unclear. In this investigation, bioinformatics was used to deeply analyze the pathogenesis of IPF and related key genes, so as to investigate the potential molecular pathogenesis of IPF and provide guidance for clinical treatment. Next-generation sequencing dataset GSE213001 was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between IPF and normal control group. The DEGs between IPF and normal control group were screened with the DESeq2 package of R language. The Gene Ontology (GO) and REACTOME pathway enrichment analyses of the DEGs were performed. Using the g:Profiler, the function and pathway enrichment analyses of DEGs were performed. Then, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed via the Integrated Interactions Database (IID) database. Cytoscape with Network Analyzer was used to identify the hub genes. miRNet and NetworkAnalyst databaseswereused to construct the targeted microRNAs (miRNAs), transcription factors (TFs), and small drug molecules. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to validate the hub genes. A total of 958 DEGs were screened out in this study, including 479 up regulated genes and 479 down regulated genes. Most of the DEGs were significantly enriched in response to stimulus, GPCR ligand binding, microtubule-based process, and defective GALNT3 causes HFTC. In combination with the results of the PPI network, miRNA-hub gene regulatory network and TF-hub gene regulatory network, hub genes including LRRK2, BMI1, EBP, MNDA, KBTBD7, KRT15, OTX1, TEKT4, SPAG8, and EFHC2 were selected. Cyclothiazide and rotigotinethe are predicted small drug molecules for IPF treatment. Our findings will contribute to identification of potential biomarkers and novel strategies for the treatment of IPF, and provide a novel strategy for clinical therapy.

Studies on the role of non-coding RNAs in controlling the activity of T cells in asthma

Bronchial asthma, commonly known as asthma, is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by airway inflammation, increased responsiveness and changes in airway structure. T cells, particularly T helper cells, play a crucial role in the disease. Non-coding RNAs, which are RNAs that do not code for proteins, mainly include microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs, play a role in regulating various biological processes. Studies have shown that non-coding RNAs have an important role in the activation and transformation of T cells and other biological processes in asthma. The specific mechanisms and clinical applications are worth further examination. This article reviews the recent research on the role of microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs in T cells in asthma.

Expression of S100A9 and KL-6 in common interstitial lung diseases

By evaluating S100 calcium binding protein A9 (S100A9) and Klebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) expression in patients with 4 common interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), we aimed to investigate whether S100A9 or KL-6 can be of any value in the differential diagnosis of these ILDs and simultaneously signal the disease progression.We collected the data of patients diagnosed with the 4 ILDs and underwent fiber-optic bronchoscopy and BAL in the First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University from January 2012 to December 2020. The data related to BGA, C-reactive protein, pulmonary function test, total number and fraction of cells, T lymphocyte subsets in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the expression of S100A9 and KL-6 in BALF and serum were collected. We analyzed, whether S100A9 or KL-6 could serve as a biomarker for differential diagnosis between the 4 common ILDs; whether the levels of S100A9 and KL-6 correlated with each other; whether they were correlated with other clinical parameters and disease severity.This study included 98 patients, 37 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), 12 with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, 13 with connective tissue disease-associated ILD, and 36 with sarcoidosis (SAR): stage I (18), stage II (9), stage III (5), and stage IV (4). The expression of KL-6 in BALF was significantly higher in IPF patients than other 3 groups (all P-value < .05). However, there was no significant difference in the levels of S100A9 in BALF and serum between the 4 groups (P-value > .05). The levels of S100A9 in BALF of IPF patients was positively and significantly correlated with KL-6 expression and the percentage of neutrophils in BALF (P-value < .05). Along with the stage increase of SAR patients, the level of S100A9 in BALF gradually increased, which was negatively and significantly correlated with the forced vital capacity/predicted, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity/predicted%, and PaO2 (all P-value < .05).The expression of KL-6 in BALF can be used as a biomarker to differentiate IPF from the other 3 common ILDs. While, this was not the case with expression of S100A9 in BALF and serum. However, the expression S100A9 in BALF is useful to indicate the progression of SAR. Thus, simultaneous measurement of KL-6 and S100A9 levels in BALF makes more sense in differential diagnosing of the 4 common ILDS.

The prognostic value of S100A calcium binding protein family members in predicting severe forms of COVID-19

Background

Excessive inflammation has been implicated in the immunopathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the current study, the involvement of S100 calcium binding protein S100A4, S100A9, and S100A10 in the inflammatory settings of COVID-19 patients were evaluated.

Methods

Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 65 COVID-19 subjects and 50 healthy controls. From the blood samples, RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized, and then the mRNA expression levels of S100A4, S100A9, and S100A10 were measured by Real-time PCR.

Results

The mRNA expression of S100A4 (fold change [FC] = 1.45, P = 0.0011), S100A9 (FC = 1.47, P = 0.0013), and S100A10 (FC = 1.35, P = 0.0053) was significantly upregulated in COVID-19 patients than controls. The mRNA expression of S100A4 (FC = 1.43, P = 0.0071), (FC = 1.66, P = 0.0001), and S100A10 (FC = 1.63, P = 0.0003) was significantly upregulated in the severe COVID-19 subjects than mild-to-moderate subjects. There was a significant positive correlation between mRNA expression of S100A4 (ρ = 0.49, P = 0.030), S100A9 (ρ = 0.55, P = 0.009), and S100A10 (ρ = 0.39, P = 0.040) and d-dimer in the COVID-19 patients. The AUC for S100A4, S100A9, and S100A10 mRNAs were 0.79 (95% CI 0.66–0.92, P = 0.004), 0.80 (95% CI 0.67–0.93, P = 0.002), and 0.71 (95% CI 0.56–0.85, P = 0.010), respectively.

Conclusions

S100A4, S100A9, and S100A10 play a role in the inflammatory conditions in COVID-19 patients and have potential in prognosis of severe form of COVID-19. Targeting these modules, hopefully, might confer a therapeutic tool in preventing sever symptoms in the COVID-19 patients.

Androgen receptor signaling promotes Treg suppressive function during allergic airway inflammation

Women have higher prevalence of asthma compared with men. In asthma, allergic airway inflammation is initiated by IL-33 signaling through ST2, leading to increased IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 production and eosinophil infiltration. Foxp3+ Tregs suppress and ST2+ Tregs promote allergic airway inflammation. Clinical studies showed that the androgen dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) reduced asthma symptoms in patients, and mouse studies showed that androgen receptor (AR) signaling decreased allergic airway inflammation. Yet the impact of AR signaling on lung Tregs remains unclear. Using AR-deficient and Foxp3 fate-mapping mice, we determined that AR signaling increased Treg suppression during Alternaria extract (Alt Ext; allergen) challenge by stabilizing Foxp3+ Tregs and limiting the number of ST2+ ex-Tregs and IL-13+ Th2 cells and ex-Tregs. AR signaling also decreased Alt Ext-induced ST2+ Tregs in mice by limiting expression of Gata2, a transcription factor for ST2, and by decreasing Alt Ext-induced IL-33 production from murine airway epithelial cells. We confirmed our findings in human cells where 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen, decreased IL-33-induced ST2 expression in lung Tregs and decreased Alt Ext-induced IL-33 secretion in human bronchial epithelial cells. Our findings showed that AR signaling stabilized Treg suppressive function, providing a mechanism for the sex difference in asthma.

MTHFD2 is a metabolic checkpoint controlling effector and regulatory T cell fate and function

Antigenic stimulation promotes T cell metabolic reprogramming to meet increased biosynthetic, bioenergetic, and signaling demands. We show that the one-carbon (1C) metabolism enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) regulates de novo purine synthesis and signaling in activated T cells to promote proliferation and inflammatory cytokine production. In pathogenic T helper-17 (Th17) cells, MTHFD2 prevented aberrant upregulation of the transcription factor FoxP3 along with inappropriate gain of suppressive capacity. MTHFD2 deficiency also promoted regulatory T (Treg) cell differentiation. Mechanistically, MTHFD2 inhibition led to depletion of purine pools, accumulation of purine biosynthetic intermediates, and decreased nutrient sensor mTORC1 signaling. MTHFD2 was also critical to regulate DNA and histone methylation in Th17 cells. Importantly, MTHFD2 deficiency reduced disease severity in multiple in vivo inflammatory disease models. MTHFD2 is thus a metabolic checkpoint to integrate purine metabolism with pathogenic effector cell signaling and is a potential therapeutic target within 1C metabolism pathways.

Calprotectin (S100A8/A9) Is an Innate Immune Effector in Experimental Periodontitis

Upregulated in inflammation, calprotectin (complexed S100A8 and S100A9; S100A8/A9) functions as an innate immune effector molecule, promoting inflammation, and also as an antimicrobial protein. We hypothesized that antimicrobial S100A8/A9 would mitigate change to the local microbial community and promote resistance to experimental periodontitis in vivo. To test this hypothesis, S100A9-/- and wild-type (WT; S100A9+/+) C57BL/6 mice were compared using a model of ligature-induced periodontitis. On day 2, WT mice showed fewer infiltrating innate immune cells than S100A9-/- mice; by day 5, the immune cell numbers were similar. At 5 days post ligature placement, oral microbial communities sampled with swabs differed significantly in beta diversity between the mouse genotypes. Ligatures recovered from molar teeth of S100A9-/- and WT mice contained significantly dissimilar microbial genera from each other and the overall oral communities from swabs. Concomitantly, the S100A9-/- mice had significantly greater alveolar bone loss than WT mice around molar teeth in ligated sites. When the oral microflora was ablated by antibiotic pretreatment, differences disappeared between WT and S100A9-/- mice in their immune cell infiltrates and alveolar bone loss. Calprotectin, therefore, suppresses emergence of a dysbiotic, proinflammatory oral microbial community, which reduces innate immune effector activity, including early recruitment of innate immune cells, mitigating subsequent alveolar bone loss and protecting against experimental periodontitis.

The perplexing role of RAGE in pulmonary fibrosis: causality or casualty?

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease in which most patients die within 3 years of diagnosis. With an unknown etiology, IPF results in progressive fibrosis of the lung parenchyma, diminishing normal lung function, which results in respiratory failure, and eventually, death. While few therapies are available to reduce disease progression, patients continue to advance toward respiratory failure, leaving lung transplantation the only viable option for survival. As incidence and mortality rates steadily increase, the need for novel therapeutics is imperative. The receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) is most highly expressed in the lungs and plays a significant role in a number of chronic lung diseases. RAGE has long been linked to IPF; however, confounding data from both human and experimental studies have left an incomplete and perplexing story. This review examines the present understanding of the role of RAGE in human and experimental models of IPF, drawing parallels to recent advances in RAGE biology. Moreover, this review discusses the role of RAGE in lung injury response, type 2 immunity, and cellular senescence, and how such mechanisms may relate to RAGE as both a biomarker of disease progression and potential therapeutic target in IPF.The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

Serum S100A8 and S100A9 as prognostic biomarkers in acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) is a devastating and life-threatening condition during its clinical course. Biomarkers for precisely anticipating the prognosis of AE-IPF remain to be fully established. The objective of this study was to clarify whether S100A8 and S100A9, which are calcium-binding proteins mainly produced by activated neutrophils, are significant prognostic biomarkers in AE-IPF.

METHODS

Thirty-seven patients with AE-IPF who were diagnosed and treated at our hospital were retrospectively evaluated. The serum levels of S100A8 and S100A9 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the relationships between these levels and clinical parameters or prognosis were evaluated.

RESULTS

The serum levels of S100A8 (median 386.5 ng/mL) and S100A9 (median 60.2 ng/mL) in patients with AE-IPF were significantly higher than those in age-matched healthy controls and in patients at IPF diagnosis (p < 0.001 for all combinations). The serum levels of S100A8 negatively correlated with percent forced vital capacity (r = -0.356, p = 0.049) and positively correlated with peripheral white blood cell number (r = 0.509, p = 0.002). Immunohistochemical staining of autopsy lung specimens showed that neutrophils, present mainly in the alveolar septum, were positive for S100A8 and S100A9. Patients with AE-IPF with higher levels of S100A8 or S100A9 showed significantly worse 3-month survival than those with lower levels (log-rank test, both p = 0.028). Finally, in multivariate analysis, the serum levels of both S100A8 and S100A9 were significant prognostic factors (hazard ratio 4.032, p = 0.023 and hazard ratio 4.327, p = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

The serum levels of S100A8 and S100A9 at AE were significant prognostic biomarkers in patients with AE-IPF.

The S100 Protein Family as Players and Therapeutic Targets in Pulmonary Diseases

The S100 protein family consists of over 20 members in humans that are involved in many intracellular and extracellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, Ca₂⁺ homeostasis, energy metabolism, inflammation, tissue repair, and migration/invasion. Although there are structural similarities between each member, they are not functionally interchangeable. The S100 proteins function both as intracellular Ca²⁺ sensors and as extracellular factors. Dysregulated responses of multiple members of the S100 family are observed in several diseases, including the lungs (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and lung cancer). To this degree, extensive research was undertaken to identify their roles in pulmonary disease pathogenesis and the identification of inhibitors for several S100 family members that have progressed to clinical trials in patients for nonpulmonary conditions. This review outlines the potential role of each S100 protein in pulmonary diseases, details the possible mechanisms observed in diseases, and outlines potential therapeutic strategies for treatment.

Calprotectin: An Ignored Biomarker of Neutrophilia in Pediatric Respiratory Diseases

Calprotectin (CP) is a non-covalent heterodimer formed by the subunits S100A8 (A8) and S100A9 (A9). When neutrophils become activated, undergo disruption, or die, this abundant cytosolic neutrophil protein is released. By fervently chelating trace metal ions that are essential for bacterial development, CP plays an important role in human innate immunity. It also serves as an alarmin by controlling the inflammatory response after it is released. Extracellular concentrations of CP increase in response to infection and inflammation, and are used as a biomarker of neutrophil activation in a variety of inflammatory diseases. Although it has been almost 40 years since CP was discovered, its use in daily pediatric practice is still limited. Current evidence suggests that CP could be used as a biomarker in a variety of pediatric respiratory diseases, and could become a valuable key factor in promoting diagnostic and therapeutic capacity. The aim of this study is to re-introduce CP to the medical community and to emphasize its potential role with the hope of integrating it as a useful adjunct, in the practice of pediatric respiratory medicine.

The axis of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts in asthma and allergic airway disease

Asthma is a generalized term that describes a scope of distinct pathologic phenotypes of variable severity, which share a common complication of reversible airflow obstruction. Asthma is estimated to affect almost 400 million people worldwide, and nearly ten percent of asthmatics have what is considered "severe" disease. The majority of moderate to severe asthmatics present with a "type 2-high" (T2-hi) phenotypic signature, which pathologically is driven by the type 2 cytokines Interleukin-(IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13. However, "type 2-low" (T2-lo) phenotypic signatures are often associated with more severe, steroid-refractory neutrophilic asthma. A wide range of clinical and experimental studies have found that the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of asthma and allergic airway disease (AAD). Current experimental data indicates that RAGE is a critical mediator of the type 2 inflammatory reactions which drive the development of T2-hi AAD. However, clinical studies demonstrate that increased RAGE ligands and signaling strongly correlate with asthma severity, especially in severe neutrophilic asthma. This review presents an overview of the current understandings of RAGE in asthma pathogenesis, its role as a biomarker of disease, and future implications for mechanistic studies, and potential therapeutic intervention strategies.

Calprotectin in Lung Diseases

Calprotectin (CLP) is a heterodimer formed by two S-100 calcium-binding cytosolic proteins, S100A8 and S100A9. It is a multifunctional protein expressed mainly by neutrophils and released extracellularly by activated or damaged cells mediating a broad range of physiological and pathological responses. It has been more than 20 years since the implication of S100A8/A9 in the inflammatory process was shown; however, the evaluation of its role in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases or its usefulness as a biomarker for the appropriate diagnosis and prognosis of lung diseases have only gained attention in recent years. This review aimed to provide current knowledge regarding the potential role of CLP in the pathophysiology of lung diseases and describe how this knowledge is, up until now, translated into daily clinical practice. CLP is involved in numerous cellular processes in lung health and disease. In addition to its anti-microbial functions, CLP also serves as a molecule with pro- and anti-tumor properties related to cell survival and growth, angiogenesis, DNA damage response, and the remodeling of the extracellular matrix. The findings of this review potentially introduce CLP in daily clinical practice within the spectrum of respiratory diseases.

Cigarette smoke induction of S100A9 contributes to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

S100 calcium-binding protein A9 (S100A9) is elevated in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and aging enhances S100A9 expression in several tissues. Currently, the direct impact of S100A9-mediated signaling on lung function and within the aging lung is unknown. Here, we observed that elevated S100A9 levels in human BALF correlated with age. Elevated lung levels of S100A9 were higher in older mice compared with in young animals and coincided with pulmonary function changes. Both acute and chronic exposure to cigarette smoke enhanced S100A9 levels in age-matched mice. To examine the direct role of S100A9 on the development of COPD, S100a9^-/- mice or mice administered paquinimod were exposed to chronic cigarette smoke. S100A9 depletion and inhibition attenuated the loss of lung function, pressure-volume loops, airway inflammation, lung compliance, and forced expiratory volume in 0.05 s/forced vital capacity, compared with age-matched wild-type or vehicle-administered animals. Loss of S100a9 signaling reduced cigarette smoke-induced airspace enlargement, alveolar remodeling, lung destruction, ERK and c-RAF phosphorylation, matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC) release into the airways. Paquinimod administered to nonsmoked, aged animals reduced age-associated loss of lung function. Since fibroblasts play a major role in the production and maintenance of extracellular matrix in emphysema, primary lung fibroblasts were treated with the ERK inhibitor LY3214996 or the c-RAF inhibitor GW5074, resulting in less S100A9-induced MMP-3, MMP-9, MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-8. Silencing Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE), or extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) prevented S100A9-induced phosphorylation of ERK and c-RAF. Our data suggest that S100A9 signaling contributes to the progression of smoke-induced and age-related COPD.

Histidine Utilization Is a Critical Determinant of Acinetobacter Pathogenesis

Acinetobacter baumannii is a nosocomial pathogen capable of causing a range of diseases, including respiratory and urinary tract infections and bacteremia. Treatment options are limited due to the increasing rates of antibiotic resistance, underscoring the importance of identifying new targets for antimicrobial development. During infection, A. baumannii must acquire nutrients for replication and survival. These nutrients include carbon- and nitrogen-rich molecules that are needed for bacterial growth. One possible nutrient source within the host is amino acids, which can be utilized for protein synthesis or energy generation. Of these, the amino acid histidine is among the most energetically expensive for bacteria to synthesize; therefore, scavenging histidine from the environment is likely advantageous. We previously identified the A. baumannii histidine utilization (Hut) system as being linked to nutrient zinc homeostasis, but whether the Hut system is important for histidine-dependent energy generation or vertebrate colonization is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the Hut system is conserved among pathogenic Acinetobacter and regulated by the transcriptional repressor HutC. In addition, the Hut system is required for energy generation using histidine as a carbon and nitrogen source. Histidine was also detected extracellularly in the murine lung, demonstrating that it is bioavailable during infection. Finally, the ammonia-releasing enzyme HutH is required for acquiring nitrogen from histidine in vitro, and strains inactivated for hutH are severely attenuated in a murine model of pneumonia. These results suggest that bioavailable histidine in the lung promotes Acinetobacter pathogenesis and that histidine serves as a crucial nitrogen source during infection.

Suppressive effects of S100A8 and S100A9 on neutrophil apoptosis by cytokine release of human bronchial epithelial cells in asthma

S100A8 and S100A9 are important proteins in the pathogenesis of allergy. Asthma is an allergic lung disease, characterized by bronchial inflammation due to leukocytes, bronchoconstriction, and allergen-specific IgE. In this study, we examined the role of S100A8 and S100A9 in the interaction of cytokine release from bronchial epithelial cells, with constitutive apoptosis of neutrophils. S100A8 and S100A9 induce increased secretion of neutrophil survival cytokines such as MCP-1, IL-6 and IL-8. This secretion is suppressed by TLR4 inhibitor), LY294002, AKT inhibitor, PD98059, SB202190, SP600125, and BAY-11-7085. S100A8 and S100A9 also induce the phosphorylation of AKT, ERK, p38 MAPK and JNK, and activation of NF-κB, which were blocked after exposure to TLR4i, LY294002, AKTi, PD98059, SB202190 or SP600125. Furthermore, supernatants collected from bronchial epithelial cells after S100A8 and S100A9 stimulation suppressed the apoptosis of normal and asthmatic neutrophils. These inhibitory mechanisms are involved in suppression of caspase 9 and caspase 3 activation, and BAX expression. The degradation of MCL-1 and BCL-2 was also blocked by S100A8 and S100A9 stimulation. Essentially, neutrophil apoptosis was blocked by co-culture of normal and asthmatic neutrophils with BEAS-2B cells in the presence of S100A8 and S100A9. These findings will enable elucidation of asthma pathogenesis.