Publications by authors named "S C Randell"
Inhalation of smoke from burn pits during military deployment is associated with several adverse pulmonary outcomes. We exposed human airway epithelial cells to smoke condensates from burn pit waste materials. Single and repeated exposure of condensates triggered unique and common responses in terms of gene expression, that sustained through the recovery phase.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe urgent need for effective treatments for acute and chronic lung diseases underscores the significance of developing innovative preclinical human research tools. The 2023 ATS Workshop on Precision Cut Lung Slices (PCLS) brought together 35 experts to discuss and address the role of human tissue-derived PCLS as a unique tool for target and drug discovery and validation in pulmonary medicine. With increasing interest and usage, along with advancements in methods and technology, there is a growing need for consensus on PCLS methodology and readouts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Infants have an immature immune system and narrower airways, making them more vulnerable to severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections.
- A study by Zhao et al. found that airway cells from children are more susceptible to damage from RSV than those from adults, due to poor STAT3 activation.
- Enhancing STAT3 activation and using apoptosis inhibitors in neonatal mice showed promise in reducing virus spread, indicating potential therapeutic strategies for treating RSV in infants.
The upper airway, particularly the nasal and oral mucosal epithelium, serves as a primary barrier for microbial interactions throughout life. Specialized niches like the anterior nares and the tooth are especially susceptible to dysbiosis and chronic inflammatory diseases. To investigate host-microbial interactions in mucosal epithelial cell types, we reanalyzed our single-cell RNA sequencing atlas of human oral mucosa, identifying polybacterial signatures (20% Gram-positive, 80% Gram-negative) within both epithelial- and stromal-resident cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Exposure to simulated burn pit smoke can significantly alter gene expression in human airway epithelial cells, potentially linking it to respiratory and other diseases common among those deployed in military settings.
- Flaming smoke from plywood was found to have the strongest impact on gene expression and cytokine release, suggesting harmful effects particular to burn pit materials.
- Differences in gene expression changes were noted based on donor demographics, with smokers and female donors showing more pronounced effects, indicating the need for further research into these variables and their implications for health.