NLRP3 inflammasome activation determines the fibrogenic potential of PM air pollution particles in the lung.

Airborne fine particulate matter (PM) is known to cause respiratory inflammation such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung fibrosis. NLRP3 inflammasome activation has been implicated in these diseases; however, due to the complexity in PM compositions, it is difficult to differentiate the roles of the components in triggering this pathway. We collected eight real-life PM samples for a comparative analysis of their effects on NLRP3 inflammasome activation and lung fibrosis.

Antigen- and Epitope-Delivering Nanoparticles Targeting Liver Induce Comparable Immunotolerance in Allergic Airway Disease and Anaphylaxis as Nanoparticle-Delivering Pharmaceuticals.

The targeting of natural tolerogenic liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) by nanoparticles (NPs), decorated with a stabilin receptor ligand, is capable of generating regulatory T-cells (Tregs), which can suppress antigen-specific immune responses, including to ovalbumin (OVA), a possible food allergen. In this regard, we have previously demonstrated that OVA-encapsulating poly(lactic--glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles eliminate allergic airway inflammation in OVA-sensitized mice, prophylactically and therapeutically. A competing approach is a nanocarrier platform that incorporates pharmaceutical agents interfering in mTOR (rapamycin) or NF-κB (curcumin) pathways, with the ability to induce a tolerogenic state in nontargeted antigen-presenting cells system-wide.

Racial variation in self-labeled child abuse and associated internalizing symptoms among adolescents who are high risk.

One thousand and ten Non-Hispanic White, African American, Hispanic, and Asian Pacific Islander youth who were high risk and receiving public sector services were interviewed regarding history of child emotional and physical abuse and current internalizing symptoms. The study examined whether race moderated the association between adolescents' reports of specific parent behaviors and their self-labeling as victims of abuse. The study also examined whether reports of parental behaviors or self-labeled abuse better predicted internalizing symptoms, and whether these associations differed by race.