Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a pivotal role in a variety of physiologically relevant processes, including lung inflammation. Recent attention has been directed toward EV-derived microRNAs (miRNAs), such as miR-191-5p, particularly in the context of inflammation. Here, we investigated the impact of miR-191-5p-enriched EVs on the activation of NF-κB and the expression of molecules associated with inflammation such as interleukin-8 (IL-8).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe term pulmonary hypertension (PH) refers to different conditions, all characterized by increased pressure and resistance in the pulmonary arterial bed. PH has a wide range of causes (essentially, cardiovascular, pulmonary, or connective tissue disorders); however, idiopathic (i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) found in the circulation and body fluids contain biomolecules that could be used as biomarkers for lung and other diseases. EVs from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) might be more informative of lung abnormalities than EVs from blood, where information might be diluted. To compare EVs' characteristics in BAL and blood in smokers with and without COPD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by complex cellular and molecular mechanisms, not fully elucidated so far. It involves inflammatory cells (monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes), cytokines, chemokines and, probably, new players yet to be clearly identified and described. Chronic local and systemic inflammation, lung aging and cellular senescence are key pathological events in COPD development and progression over time.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPirfenidone (PFD) slows the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by inhibiting the exaggerated fibrotic response and possibly through additional mechanisms, such as anti-inflammatory effects. PFD has also been evaluated in other fibrosing lung diseases. Myocardial fibrosis is a common feature of several heart diseases and the progressive deposition of extracellular matrix due to a persistent injury to cardiomyocytes may trigger a vicious cycle that leads to persistent structural and functional alterations of the myocardium.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) is a serin protease synthesized mainly in the liver that binds the receptor of low-density lipoprotein and promotes its degradation in lysosomes. PCSK9 is considered a promising target for the development of new therapies for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and related cardiovascular diseases. Extracellular vesicles represent a heterogeneous population of vesicles, ranging in size between 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSputum eosinophilia in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients seems to be associated with a better response to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). To verify if this feature could identify a specific subpopulation of COPD patients, we retrospectively compared functional and inflammatory parameters of 110 COPD patients according to the presence of sputum eosinophilia (>2%). Patient with eosinophilia were characterized by lower dyspnea score, lower functional impairment and lower ICS use, suggesting that airway eosinophilia may be associated to a lower COPD severity and some functional "asthma-like" characteristics, therefore explaining the better response to ICS in this subgroup of patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex condition in which systemic inflammation plays a role in extrapulmonary manifestations, including cardiovascular diseases: interleukin (IL)-6 has a role in both COPD and atherogenesis. The 2011 GOLD document classified patients according to FEV1, symptoms, and exacerbations history, creating four groups, from A (less symptoms/low risk) to D (more symptoms/high risk). Extracellular vesicles (EV) represent potential markers in COPD: nevertheless, no studies have explored their value in association to both disease severity and inflammation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: A derangement of the coagulation process and thromboinflammatory events has emerged as pathologic characteristics of severe COVID-19, characterized by severe respiratory failure. CC motive chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), a chemokine originally described as a chemotactic agent for monocytes, is involved in inflammation, coagulation activation and neoangiogenesis. We investigated the association of CCL2 levels with coagulation derangement and respiratory impairment in patients with COVID-19.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short non-coding RNAs involved in the regulation of gene expression and the control of several cellular processes at physiological and pathological levels. Furthermore, extracellular vesicles (EV), which are small membrane-bound vesicles secreted by cells in the extracellular environment, contain functional miRNAs. The remarkable deregulation of many miRNAs has been demonstrated in respiratory diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF: Triple therapy with two bronchodilators (LABA plus LAMA) and an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) is recommended for patients suffering from severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). : All 12-52 week-long studies comparing triple therapy with umeclidinium (UM) added to either fluticasone furoate/vilanterol (FF/VI) or fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (FP/SAL) vs. other comparators in COPD patients of group B or D (2011 GOLD classification) were considered.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCell-derived microparticles are small (0.1-1 μm) vesicles shed by most eukaryotic cells upon activation or during apoptosis. Microparticles carry on their surface, and enclose within their cytoplasm, molecules derived from the parental cell, including proteins, DNA, RNA, microRNA and phospholipids.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: GOLD guideline recommendations are currently the "gold standard" for the treatment of COPD patients.
Objectives: The objective of this analysis was to evaluate compliance with GOLD guidelines in managing COPD patients' treatment by general practitioners (GPs) and pulmonologists. Since inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use is defined as inappropriate in mild and moderate COPD patients, special attention was paid to ICS therapy use in these classes.
Background. Neutrophilic bronchial inflammation is a main feature of bronchiectasis, but not much is known about its relationship with other disease features. Aim.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExercise intolerance is a major feature in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Bronchodilators increase endurance time (ET) and reduce dynamic hyperinflation (DH). We evaluated whether a single-dose of salbutamol/ipratropium + flunisolide (BD+ICS), added on top of the regular treatment, may improve ET in COPD patients.
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