Autologous transplantation of lung progenitor cells comes into reality for bronchiectasis.

Stem and progenitor cell-based regenerative therapies have the potential to cure chronic respiratory diseases. Yan et al. reported a clinical trial of autologous P63 progenitor cell transplantation in bronchiectasis patients, highlighting autologous transplantation of P63 progenitor cells as a novel candidate therapeutic option to improve pulmonary gas exchange function and quality of life.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of the Phenotypes of COPD-Bronchiectasis Association.

Introduction: Although COPD may frequently co-exist with bronchiectasis [COPD-bronchiectasis associated (CBA)], little is known regarding the clinical heterogeneity. We aimed to identify the phenotypes and compare the clinical characteristics and prognosis of CBA.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 2928 bronchiectasis patients, 5158 COPD patients, and 1219 patients with CBA hospitalized between July 2017 and December 2020.

SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein impairs airway epithelial barrier function and exacerbates airway inflammation via increased intracellular Cl concentration.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection disrupts the epithelial barrier and triggers airway inflammation. The envelope (E) protein, a core virulence structural component of coronaviruses, may play a role in this process. Pathogens could interfere with transepithelial Cl transport via impairment of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), which modulates nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling.

Estrogen Receptor-α Exacerbates EGF-Inducing Airway Remodeling and Mucus Production in Bronchial Epithelium of Asthmatics.

Purpose: Although estrogen receptors (ERs) signal pathways are involved in the pathogenesis and development of asthma, their expressions and effects remain controversial. This study aimed to investigate the expressions of ERα and ERβ as well as their mechanisms in airway remodeling and mucus production in asthma.

Methods: The expressions of ERα and ERβ in the airway epithelial cells of bronchial biopsies and induced sputum cells were examined by immunohistochemistry.

SARS-CoV-2-Specific Adaptive Immunity in COVID-19 Survivors With Asthma.

Background: Asthma patients potentially have impaired adaptive immunity to virus infection. The levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific adaptive immunity between COVID-19 survivors with and without asthma are presently unclear.

Methods: COVID-19 survivors (patients with asthma n=11, with allergies n=8, and COVID-19 only n=17) and non-COVID-19 individuals (asthmatic patients n=10 and healthy controls n=9) were included.

IL-1β augments TGF-β inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition of epithelial cells and associates with poor pulmonary function improvement in neutrophilic asthmatics.

Background: Neutrophilic asthmatics (NA) have less response to inhaled corticosteroids. We aimed to find out the predictor of treatment response in NA.

Methods: Asthmatics (n = 115) and healthy controls (n = 28) underwent clinical assessment during 6-month follow-up with standardized therapy.

Eight months follow-up study on pulmonary function, lung radiographic, and related physiological characteristics in COVID-19 survivors.

To describe the long-term health outcomes of patients with COVID-19 and investigate the potential risk factors. Clinical data during hospitalization and at a mean (SD) day of 249 (15) days after discharge from 40 survivors with confirmed COVID-19 (including 25 severe cases) were collected and analyzed retrospectively. At follow-up, severe cases had higher incidences of persistent symptoms, DLCO impairment, and higher abnormal CT score as compared with mild cases.

Exploration of plasma interleukin-27 levels in asthma patients and the correlation with lung function.

Background: IL-27 attenuates allergic inflammation and improves lung function in mouse models of allergic asthma. However, plasma IL-27 levels of asthma patients and the association with clinical features remain poorly understood.

Methods: This study examined plasma IL-27 protein expression in untreated asthma patients and controls, analyzed its correlation with Th2 inflammation and lung function, and evaluated the effect of corticosteroids on IL-27 expression.

Gendered effects on inflammation reaction and outcome of COVID-19 patients in Wuhan.

Background: The rapid outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has turned into a public health emergency of international concern. Epidemiological research has shown that sex is associated with the severity of COVID-19, but the underlying mechanism of sex predisposition remains poorly understood. We aim to study the gendered differences in inflammation reaction, and the association with severity and mortality of COVID-19.

Risk factors for severity and mortality in adult COVID-19 inpatients in Wuhan.

Background: In December 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak occurred in Wuhan. Data on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with severe COVID-19 are limited.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the severity on admission, complications, treatment, and outcomes of patients with COVID-19.