Overview of CF lung pathophysiology

Defects of the cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein affect the homeostasis of chloride, bicarbonate, sodium, and water in the airway surface liquid, influencing the mucus composition and viscosity, which induces a severe condition of infection and inflammation along the whole life of CF patients. The introduction of CFTR modulators, novel drugs directly intervening to rescue the function of CFTR protein, opens a new era of experimental research. The review summarizes the most recent advancements to understand the characteristics of the infective and inflammatory pathology of CF lungs.     

上皮-间质转化在子宫腺肌病中作用的研究进展

子宫腺肌病(ADS)是子宫内膜腺体及间质侵入子宫肌层导致的以子宫局灶或弥漫性增大为主要改变的良性疾病,其具体发病机制尚不清楚。目前多数研究者认为ADS是基底层内膜细胞增生、侵入到肌层间质的结果。在上皮-间质转化(EMT)过程中,上皮细胞失去细胞极性,细胞间紧密连接和黏附连接减弱,获得了浸润性和游走迁移能力,成为具有间质细胞功能和特性的细胞。EMT在肿瘤形成中赋予细胞迁移、浸润的能力,而ADS发生、发展过程中子宫内膜细胞侵入肌层的生物学行为与之非常相似。已有研究表明EMT在ADS形成中具有重要作用。目前ADS的临床治疗面临较多的挑战,因此阐明ADS的发生机制是寻求临床早期预防、治疗ADS有效方法的关键。     

Newborn screening for CF in France: An exemplary national experience

Newborn screening (NBS) for cystic fibrosis (CF) was implemented throughout France since 2002, with a 3-tiered strategy consisting in an immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) measurement at day-3, a search for the most common mutations responsible for CF when the IRT value is above the cut-off level, and, if necessary, a safetynet retesting of IRT at day-21. Coordination and follow-up are ensured at the national level and NBS is carried out through a regional organization involving NBS centers, biochemical and molecular genetics laboratories. Sweat testing and comprehensive mutation gene analysis are then performed according to a defined algorithm. Between 2002 and 2014, screening for the 30 most common mutations identified 87% of the alleles and comprehensive mutation gene analysis performed when applicable identified more than 300 additional mutations and resulted in a detection rate of 99.8% of the mutated alleles. Program surveillance ensured at a national level allowed to carry out adaptation of cut-off levels and removal of the p.Arg117His mutation. Thanks to these modifications, the performance of the French NBS program for CF meets the European guideline standards regarding positive predictive values, sensitivity and time to initial visit at the CF center, thus making the strategy effective.© 2020 French Society of Pediatrics. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.     

Resistin is elevated in cystic fibrosis sputum and correlates negatively with lung function

Background

Resistin is an immunometabolic mediator that is elevated in several inflammatory disorders. A ligand for Toll-like receptor 4, resistin modulates the recruitment and activation of myeloid cells, notably neutrophils. Neutrophils are major drivers of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, in part due to the release of human neutrophil elastase- and myeloperoxidase-rich primary granules, leading to tissue damage. Here we assessed the relationship of resistin to CF lung disease.

Molecular mechanism of miR-382 in the pathogenesis of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis

Objective To investigate the roles of microRNA-382 (miR-382) in the pathogenesis of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF). Methods Human kidney epithelial cells (HK2)transfected with miR-382 inhibitor (antagomiR-382) were used to examine the effect of miR-382 abundance on cell polarity, as well as to test the complementary relationship between miR-382 and its predicted target gene heat shock protein 60 (HSPD1), which was further verified by 3′-untranslated region luciferase assay and site-directed mutagenesis. The role of miR-382 played in the development of renal interstitial fibrosis and redox regulation was examined in a mouse unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model. Locked nucleic acid (LAN)-modified anti-miR-382 was intravenous delivered via tail vein 30 min prior to UUO, and repeated the dosage 24 h after the surgery. For clinical verification, renal biopsy specimens from 12 IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients were collected, 6 patients with moderate to severe TIF and 6 patients without TIF. The relative abundance of miR-382 and HSPD1 protein was analyzed by using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Results HSPD1 was confirmed to be a new, direct target gene of miR-382 by in vitro 3′-untranslated region luciferase assay and site-directed mutagenesis. The development of epithelial transition in HK2 cells was accompanied with up-regulation of miR-382 [(6.54±0.96) vs (1.12±0.26), P＜0.05]. Blocking the expression of miR-382 could reversed the progression of epithelial transition partially. In UUO mice the abundance of miR-382 was up-regulated [(6.89±2.47) vs (1.00±0.42), P＜0.01] while HSPD1 and Trx were down-regulated compared with the sham group. Down-regulation of miR-382 was associated with significant decrease in TIF, but increase in HSPD1 and thioredoxin protein compared with UUO group [HSPD1: (0.34±0.10) vs (0.14±0.05); Trx: (0.79±0.18) vs (0.36±0.16); all P＜0.05]. The expression of miR-382 was up-regulated and HSPD1 was significantly down-regulated in IgAN patients with TIF. Conclusions miR-382 play an important role in renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in human and mice. HSPD1 is one of the target genes of miR-382. The down-regulation of HSPD1 and the decrease ability of anti-oxidative stress may be the important mechanism of miR-382 involved in renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis.