Hair cortisol concentration in anxiety disorders: exploration of relationships with symptom severity and inflammatory markers.

Background: Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) can be used to periodically assess hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function, and appears correlated with prolonged exposure to stress.

Methods: Serial assessment (at Baseline, Week 6 and Week 12) of participants (n = 35) with anxiety disorders by psychopathological rating scales, with assays of HCC and levels of peripheral anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Patients underwent antidepressant treatment for an initial 6 weeks, followed by cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor-2 (COX-2) inhibitor (celecoxib) augmentation or 'treatment as usual' for a further 6 weeks.

Small RNA Species and microRNA Profiles are Altered in Severe Asthma Nanovesicles from Broncho Alveolar Lavage and Associate with Impaired Lung Function and Inflammation.

MicroRNAs are known to regulate important pathways in asthma pathology including the IL-6 and IFN pathways. MicroRNAs have been found not only within cells but also within extracellular vesicles such as exosomes. In this study, we particularly focused on microRNA cargo of nanovesicles in bronchoalveolar lavage of severe asthmatic patients.

Epithelial IL-6 trans-signaling defines a new asthma phenotype with increased airway inflammation.

Background: Although several studies link high levels of IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) to asthma severity and decreased lung function, the role of IL-6 trans-signaling (IL-6TS) in asthmatic patients is unclear.

Objective: We sought to explore the association between epithelial IL-6TS pathway activation and molecular and clinical phenotypes in asthmatic patients.

Methods: An IL-6TS gene signature obtained from air-liquid interface cultures of human bronchial epithelial cells stimulated with IL-6 and sIL-6R was used to stratify lung epithelial transcriptomic data (Unbiased Biomarkers in Prediction of Respiratory Disease Outcomes [U-BIOPRED] cohorts) by means of hierarchical clustering.

Multidimensional endotyping in patients with severe asthma reveals inflammatory heterogeneity in matrix metalloproteinases and chitinase 3-like protein 1.

Background: Disease heterogeneity in patients with severe asthma and its relationship to inflammatory mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Objective: We aimed to identify and replicate clinicopathologic endotypes based on analysis of blood and sputum parameters in asthmatic patients.

Methods: One hundred ninety-four asthmatic patients and 21 control subjects recruited from 2 separate centers underwent detailed clinical assessment, sputum induction, and phlebotomy.

Toll-like Receptor 7 Is Reduced in Severe Asthma and Linked to an Altered MicroRNA Profile.

Rationale: Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide, and individuals with severe asthma experience recurrent exacerbations. Exacerbations are predominantly viral associated and have been linked to defective airway IFN responses. Ascertaining the molecular mechanisms underlying this deficiency is a major research goal to identify new therapeutic targets.

Effect of bronchoconstriction on airway remodeling in asthma.

Background: Asthma is characterized pathologically by structural changes in the airway, termed airway remodeling. These changes are associated with worse long-term clinical outcomes and have been attributed to eosinophilic inflammation. In vitro studies indicate, however, that the compressive mechanical forces that arise during bronchoconstriction may induce remodeling independently of inflammation.

Proof of concept pilot study: prevalence of grass virus infection and the potential for effects on the allergenic potency of pollen.

Background: Wild plants harbour a variety of viruses and these have the potential to alter the composition of pollen. The potential consequences of virus infection of grasses on pollen-induced allergic disease are not known.

Methods: We have collected pollen from Dactylis glomerata (cocksfoot; a grass species implicated as a trigger of allergic rhino-conjunctivitis) from Wytham Wood, Oxfordshire UK.