Publications by authors named "Tharushi de Silva"
Lung transplant recipients frequently encounter immune-related complications, including chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). Monitoring immune cells within the lung microenvironment is pivotal for optimizing post-transplant outcomes. This study examined the proportion of T cell subsets in paired bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and peripheral PBMC comparing healthy ( = 4) and lung transplantation patients ( = 6, no CLAD and = 14 CLAD) using 14-color flow cytometry.
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- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe lung disease with unknown causes, highlighting the urgent need for effective therapies.
- Researchers analyzed single-cell transcriptomic data from IPF patients to identify specific gene signatures related to macrophage behavior that could help in developing antifibrotic treatments.
- Using the Enrichr platform and a new drug screening assay, they discovered that glitazones and endiandrin A (from an Australian plant) can shift macrophage gene expression towards an antifibrotic state, suggesting new potential treatments for lung fibrosis.
Article Synopsis
- This study examined the role of CD39-expressing immune cells in chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), focusing on their influence on inflammation and tissue remodeling in the lungs.
- Through advanced techniques like single-cell transcriptomics and flow cytometry, researchers identified diverse immune cell types, including macrophages, T cells, and regulatory T cells (Tregs), with CD39-expressing Tregs showing increased ATP hydrolysis and regulatory functions.
- The findings highlight the complex interactions between these cells in HP and suggest that CD39-expressing cells have dual functions as both Tregs and proinflammatory Th17 cells, pointing towards potential therapeutic strategies for managing HP.
Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) affects approximately 50% of all lung transplant recipients by 5 post-operative years and is the leading cause of death in lung transplant recipients. Early CLAD diagnosis or ideally prediction of CLAD is essential to enable early intervention before significant lung injury occurs. New technologies have emerged to facilitate biomarker discovery, including epigenetic modification and single-cell RNA sequencing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Objective: An epidemic of silicosis has emerged due to a failure to control risks associated with exposure to high-silica content respirable dust generated while working with artificial stone products. Methods for quantification of alveolar crystal burden are needed to advance our understanding of the pathobiology of silica-related lung injury as well as assisting in the diagnosis, clinical management and prognostication of affected workers. The objective of this study was to develop and validate novel methods to quantify alveolar crystal burden in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from patients with artificial stone silicosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe report the case of a 69-year-old man five-month post double lung transplant for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who presented with progressive breathlessness, loss of lung function, and diffuse ground glass shadowing on the chest computed tomography. Transbronchial lung biopsy revealed foamy macrophages, hyperplasia of type II pneumocytes, and eosinophilic material in the alveolar space. Video thoracic lung biopsy was performed, and histology confirmed pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.
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