Eosinophils mitigate intestinal fibrosis while promoting inflammation in a chronic DSS colitis model and co-culture model with fibroblasts.

Eosinophils were previously reported to play a role in intestinal inflammation and fibrosis. Whether this is as a bystander or as an active participant is still up for debate. Moreover, data describing a causal relationship between eosinophils and intestinal fibrosis are scarce.

Leukocyte-and Platelet-Rich Fibrin for enhanced tissue repair: an in vitro study characterizing cellular composition, growth factor kinetics and transcriptomic insights.

Background: Leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) is an autologous platelet concentrate, prepared by centrifugation of blood and consisting of a dense fibrin network with incorporated leukocytes and platelets. This study aims to perform an in-depth analysis of the cells, growth factors, and transcriptome of L-PRF.

Methods And Results: Fresh, 1 week and 2 weeks cultured human L-PRF membranes and liquid L-PRF glue were characterized on cellular and transcriptional level using flow cytometry (n = 4), single-cell RNA sequencing (n = 5) and RT-qPCR.

Rare presence and function of neuroendocrine cells in the nasal mucosa.

There is growing evidence that neurogenic inflammation contributes to the pathophysiology of upper airway diseases, with nasal hyperreactivity (NHR) being a key symptom. The rare neuroendocrine cells (NECs) in the epithelium have been linked to the pathophysiology of bronchial and intestinal hyperreactivity, however their presence in the nasal mucosa and their potential role in NHR remains unclear. Therefore, we studied the presence of NECs in the nasal epithelium of controls, allergic rhinitis patients and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps patients, and their link to NHR.

Peribronchial Inflammation Resulting from Regulatory T Cell Deficiency Damages the Respiratory Epithelium and Disturbs Barrier Function.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) that express the transcription factor Foxp3 have a critical role in limiting inflammatory processes and tissue damage. Whether Tregs are functional in maintaining epithelial barriers and in control of tight junction expression has not yet been explored. In this study, we investigated the effect of Treg deficiency on the airway epithelial barrier in an experimental murine model in which diphtheria toxin was repeatedly injected in Foxp3-diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) mice to deplete Tregs.

Chlorine exposure and intensive exercise induces airway hyperreactivity in a 3-week murine exercise model.

Rationale: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is defined as acute narrowing of the airways during or immediately after exercise. EIB has a high prevalence in elite swimmers probably due to the high ventilation rate and exposure to the chlorine by-products. It is still puzzling which pathophysiological mechanisms drive EIB.

Guided Gradual Egg-Tolerance Induction in Hen's Egg Allergic Children Tolerating Baked Egg: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

Background: Over the last few years, studies have shown that the majority of egg allergic children tolerate baked egg (e.g., cake), and that consuming baked egg accelerates the resolution of egg allergy.

Innate Lymphoid Cells Are Required to Induce Airway Hyperreactivity in a Murine Neutrophilic Asthma Model.

Rationale: Non-allergic asthma is driven by multiple endotypes of which neutrophilic and pauci-granulocytic asthma have been best established. However, it is still puzzling what drives inflammation and airway hyperreactivity (AHR) in these patients and how it can be treated effectively. Recently, a potential role of the innate immune system and especially the innate lymphoid cells (ILC) has been proposed.

Differential effects of intense exercise and pollution on the airways in a murine model.

Background: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a transient airway narrowing, occurring during or shortly after intensive exercise. It is highly prevalent in non-asthmatic outdoor endurance athletes suggesting an important contribution of air pollution in the development of EIB. Therefore, more research is necessary to investigate the combination of exercise and pollutants on the airways.

Cluster analysis of sputum cytokine-high profiles reveals diversity in T(h)2-high asthma patients.

Background: Asthma is characterized by a heterogeneous inflammatory profile and can be subdivided into T(h)2-high and T(h)2-low airway inflammation. Profiling of a broader panel of airway cytokines in large unselected patient cohorts is lacking.

Methods: Patients (n = 205) were defined as being "cytokine-low/high" if sputum mRNA expression of a particular cytokine was outside the respective 10/90 percentile range of the control group (n = 80).

Development of siRNA-loaded chitosan nanoparticles targeting Galectin-1 for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme via intranasal administration.

Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is a naturally occurring galactose-binding lectin, which is overexpressed in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Gal-1 is associated with tumor progression, and is a potent immune suppressor in the tumor micro-environment. To inhibit Gal-1 in GBM, an effective therapy is required that reaches the central nervous system tumor, with limited systemic effects.

Piliation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG promotes adhesion, phagocytosis, and cytokine modulation in macrophages.

Recently, spaCBA-encoded pili on the cell surface of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG were identified to be key molecules for binding to human intestinal mucus and Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells. Here, we investigated the role of the SpaCBA pilus of L. rhamnosus GG in the interaction with macrophages in vitro by comparing the wild type with surface mutants.

Effects of high altitude and cold air exposure on airway inflammation in patients with asthma.

Aims: Eighteen patients with asthma were evaluated during preparation to climb to extreme altitude in order to study the effects of low fractional inspired oxygen (FiO(2)), prolonged exposure to cold air and high altitude on lung function, asthma control and airway inflammation.

Methods: Spirometry and airway inflammation (fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and induced sputum) were studied under different test conditions: hypoxic (FiO(2)=11%) exercise test, 24-hour cold exposure (-5°C) and before, during and after an expedition that involved climbing the Aconcagua mountain (6965 m).

Results: Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) and FeNO values were slightly lower (p<0.

Airway inflammation in patients with chronic non-asthmatic cough.

Introduction: Chronic non-asthmatic cough (CC) is a clinical challenge and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain still not completely understood. One of the most common comorbidities in CC is gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Airway epithelium damage can contribute to airway inflammation in CC.

IL-17 mRNA in sputum of asthmatic patients: linking T cell driven inflammation and granulocytic influx?

Background: The role of Th2 cells (producing interleukin (IL-)4, IL-5 and IL-13) in allergic asthma is well-defined. A distinct proinflammatory T cell lineage has recently been identified, called Th17 cells, producing IL-17A, a cytokine that induces CXCL8 (IL-8) and recruits neutrophils. Neutrophilic infiltration in the airways is prominent in severe asthma exacerbations and may contribute to airway gland hypersecretion, bronchial hyper-reactivity and airway wall remodelling in asthma.

Cloning and expression of the cyclophilin Bet v 7, and analysis of immunological cross-reactivity among the cyclophilin A family.

Allergic symptoms in sensitized individuals are caused by proteins named allergens. We report here the cloning and the production of the cyclophilin Bet v 7, one of the birch pollen allergens. Recombinant Bet v 7 was produced in bacteria and used to raise a rabbit anti-Bet v 7 antiserum.