Iron controls the development of airway hyperreactivity by regulating ILC2 metabolism and effector function.

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) rapidly induce a type 2 inflammation in the lungs in response to allergens. Here, we focused on the role of iron, a critical nutritional trace element, on ILC2 function and asthma pathogenesis. We found that transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) is rapidly up-regulated and functional during ILC2 activation in the lungs, and blocking transferrin uptake reduces ILC2 expansion and activation.

Blocking CD226 regulates type 2 innate lymphoid cell effector function and alleviates airway hyperreactivity.

Background: Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) play a pivotal role in type 2 asthma. CD226 is a costimulatory molecule involved in various inflammatory diseases.

Objective: We aimed to investigate CD226 expression and function within human and mouse ILC2s, and to assess the impact of targeting CD226 on ILC2-mediated airway hyperreactivity (AHR).

Effect of bronchial thermoplasty on static and dynamic lung compliance and resistance in patients with severe persistent asthma.

Rationale: Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) reduces severity and frequency of bronchoconstriction and symptoms in severe, persistent asthmatics although it is usually not associated with change in spirometric variables. Other than spirometry. there are almost no data on changes in lung mechanics following BT.

Safety and effectiveness of bronchial thermoplasty after 10 years in patients with persistent asthma (BT10+): a follow-up of three randomised controlled trials.

Background: Bronchial thermoplasty is an endoscopic treatment for uncontrolled asthma. Previous randomised clinical trials have shown that bronchial thermoplasty reduces severe exacerbations in people with asthma. However, the long-term efficacy and safety of bronchial thermoplasty beyond 5 years is unknown.

Lack of association of Aspergillus colonization with the development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in lung transplant recipients: An international cohort study.

Background: Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is a major limitation in the long-term survival of lung transplant recipients (LTRs). However, the risk factors in the development of BOS remain undetermined. We conducted an international cohort study of LTRs to assess whether Aspergillus colonization with large or small conidia is a risk factor for the development of BOS.

Comparison of Skin Cancer Incidence in Caucasian and Non-Caucasian Liver Vs. Lung Transplant Recipients: A Tale of Two Regimens.

Background: Organ transplantation is a significant risk factor for the development of skin cancer. The impact of skin type, immunosuppressive regimens, and photosensitizing agents requires further study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare skin cancer development between Caucasian and non-Caucasian transplant recipients at the University of Southern California.

Clinical risk factors for invasive aspergillosis in lung transplant recipients: Results of an international cohort study.

Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a frequent complication in lung transplant recipients (LTRs). Clinical risk factors for IA have not been fully characterized, especially in the era of extensive anti-fungal prophylaxis. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical risk factors associated with IA in LTRs.

Further Studies of Unsuspected Emphysema in Nonsmoking Patients With Asthma With Persistent Expiratory Airflow Obstruction.

Background: Previously, we and other investigators have described reversible loss of lung elastic recoil in patients with acute and persistent, moderate-to-severe, chronic, treated asthma who never smoked, and its adverse effect on maximal expiratory airflow. In four consecutive autopsies, we reported the pathophysiologic mechanism(s) has been unsuspected mild, diffuse, middle and upper lobe centrilobular emphysema.

Methods: We performed prospective studies (5 to 22 years) in 25 patients (12 female) with chronic asthma, age 55 ± 15 years, who never smoked, with persistent moderate-to-severe expiratory obstruction.

Lack of autophagy induces steroid-resistant airway inflammation.

Background: Neutrophilic corticosteroid-resistant asthma accounts for a significant proportion of asthma; however, little is known about the mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of the disease.

Objective: We sought to address the role of autophagy in lung inflammation and the pathogenesis of corticosteroid-resistant neutrophilic asthma.

Methods: We developed CD11c-specific autophagy-related gene 5 (Atg5)(-/-) mice and used several murine models to investigate the role of autophagy in asthmatic patients.

Bronchial thermoplasty: Long-term safety and effectiveness in patients with severe persistent asthma.

Background: Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) has previously been shown to improve asthma control out to 2 years in patients with severe persistent asthma.

Objective: We sought to assess the effectiveness and safety of BT in asthmatic patients 5 years after therapy.

Methods: BT-treated subjects from the Asthma Intervention Research 2 trial (ClinicalTrials.

Near fatal asthma: clinical and airway biopsy characteristics.

Background. Inflammation and remodeling are integral parts of asthma pathophysiology. We sought to describe the clinical and pathologic features of near fatal asthma exacerbation (NFE).

Outcomes after lung transplantation and practices of lung transplant programs in the United States regarding hepatitis C seropositive recipients.

Background: The estimated prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among lung transplant (LT) recipients is 1.9%. Many thoracic transplant programs are reluctant to transplant HCV-seropositive patients due to concerns of hepatic dysfunction caused by immunosuppression.

Pericardial constriction after lung transplantation.

Pericardial constriction is extremely rare after lung transplantation. We present a case and review the potential contributing factors for pericardial constriction after lung transplantation. Treatment for this condition, irrespective of the cause, remains pericardiectomy.

Effectiveness and safety of bronchial thermoplasty in the treatment of severe asthma: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial.

Rationale: Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is a bronchoscopic procedure in which controlled thermal energy is applied to the airway wall to decrease smooth muscle.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of BT versus a sham procedure in subjects with severe asthma who remain symptomatic despite treatment with high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta(2)-agonists.

Methods: A total of 288 adult subjects (Intent-to-Treat [ITT]) randomized to BT or sham control underwent three bronchoscopy procedures.

Long-term pulmonary function after living-donor lobar lung transplantation in adults.

Background: Living-donor lobar lung transplantation was developed as an alternative to cadaveric transplantation. However, whether two pulmonary lobes provide comparable intermediate and long-term pulmonary function to full-sized bilateral cadaveric grafts in adults is unknown.

Methods: An analysis of the pulmonary functions of 59 bilateral lobar and 43 bilateral cadaveric adult lung transplant recipients who survived more than 3 months after transplantation was performed.

A decade of living lobar lung transplantation: perioperative complications after 253 donor lobectomies.

Living lobar lung transplantation places two donors at risk for each recipient. We examined the perioperative outcomes associated with the 253 donor lobectomies performed at our institution during our first decade of living lobar lung transplantation. There have been no perioperative or long-term deaths.

A decade of living lobar lung transplantation: recipient outcomes.

Objective: Living lobar lung transplantation was developed as a procedure for patients considered too ill to await cadaveric transplantation.

Methods: One hundred twenty-eight living lobar lung transplantations were performed in 123 patients between 1993 and 2003. Eighty-four patients were adults (age, 27 +/- 7.

Regulation of activin A expression in mast cells and asthma: its effect on the proliferation of human airway smooth muscle cells.

Activin A, a homodimeric protein (betaAbetaA) and a member of the TGF-beta superfamily, is involved in the inflammatory repair process. Using cDNA microarray analysis, we discovered strong induction of the activin betaA gene in human mast cells (MC) on stimulation with PMA and calcium ionophore (A23187). Activin betaA mRNA was also highly induced in primary cultured murine bone marrow MC (BMMC) after stimulation by IgE receptor cross-linking.