The ER stress response mediator ERO1 triggers cancer metastasis by favoring the angiogenic switch in hypoxic conditions.

Solid tumors are often characterized by a hypoxic microenvironment which contributes, through the hypoxia-inducible factor HIF-1, to the invasion-metastasis cascade. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress also leads tumor cells to thrive and spread by inducing a transcriptional and translational program, the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), aimed at restoring ER homeostasis. We studied ERO1 alpha (henceforth ERO1), a protein disulfide oxidase with the tumor-relevant characteristic of being positively regulated by both ER stress and hypoxia.

Increased expression of nuclear factor-kappaB in bronchial biopsies from smokers and patients with COPD.

The expression of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB is an indicator of cellular activation and of inflammatory mediator production. The aim of the present study was to characterise the expression and localisation of p65, the major subunit of NF-kappaB, in the bronchial mucosa of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to examine the relationship between p65 expression and disease status. Bronchial biopsies were obtained from 14 smokers with COPD, 17 smokers with normal lung function and 12 nonsmokers with normal lung function.

Decreased T lymphocyte infiltration in bronchial biopsies of subjects with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Studies on the inflammatory process in the large airways of patients with mild/moderate COPD have shown a prevalent T lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration of the bronchial mucosa. However, bronchial inflammation in more severe disease has not been extensively studied.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to characterize the lymphocyte infiltration in the bronchial mucosa of subjects with severe, compared to mild, COPD, and to examine the relationship between airflow limitation and T lymphocyte numbers in the bronchial mucosa.

Quality of Life Evaluation and Survival Study: a 3-yr prospective multinational study on patients with chronic respiratory failure.

Therapy of patients with chronic respiratory failure is mainly directed at minimizing symptoms in order to improve, or at least to prevent a deterioration of, patients' well-being. Under such circumstances, the perceived effect of therapies on patients' well-being and daily life represents the most important subjective outcome of treatment. Therefore, there is a need to provide a global estimate of health in patients on long term oxygen therapy or overnight home mechanical ventilation.

Pulmonary failure as a cause of death in COPD.

Data on the outcome of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are limited. We know that the prognosis is poor when respiratory insufficiency develops, but we have little information on the actual cause of death. Epidemiological studies are suitable for the assessment of the prevalence of the disease, but give no details on the actual cause of death.