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Molecular Pathophysiology of Lung Diseases

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2025 | Viewed by 6246

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Ubben Center and Laboratory for Pulmonary Fibrosis Research, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
Interests: respiratory medicine

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Guest Editor
Assistant Professor and Medical Director of Respiratory Care at Tampa General Hospital Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
Interests: immunogenomics; ILD; COPD

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The burden of lung diseases is steadily increasing. Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and post-COVID-19 syndrome have had devastating effects on health-care systems, and chronic lung diseases are now included in the top three causes of death. Despite considerable progress in the last few years, high-quality mechanistic evidence able to be translated into the molecular endotyping of patients and personalized medicine approaches is still an unmet need for most lung diseases. This Special Issue aims to shed light on the molecular pathophysiology of lung diseases and focus on experimental data with potential for translation into clinical practice, such as molecular biomarkers or targeted therapies.

Dr. Theodoros Karampitsakos
Dr. Brenda M. Juan-Guardela
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biomarkers
  • asthma
  • COPD
  • pulmonary fibrosis
  • post-COVID-19 interstitial lung disease
  • pathogenesis
  • personalized medicine

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 3642 KiB  
Article
Immune Response Dynamics and Biomarkers in COVID-19 Patients
by Maral Ranjbar, Ruth P. Cusack, Christiane E. Whetstone, Danica L. Brister, Jennifer Wattie, Lesley Wiltshire, Nadia Alsaji, Jennifer Le Roux, Eric Cheng, Thivya Srinathan, Terence Ho, Roma Sehmi, Paul M. O’Byrne, Maryonne Snow-Smith, Michelle Makiya, Amy D. Klion, MyLinh Duong and Gail M. Gauvreau
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(12), 6427; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25126427 - 11 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1353
Abstract
Background: The immune response dynamics in COVID-19 patients remain a subject of intense investigation due to their implications for disease severity and treatment outcomes. We examined changes in leukocyte levels, eosinophil activity, and cytokine profiles in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Methods: Serum samples [...] Read more.
Background: The immune response dynamics in COVID-19 patients remain a subject of intense investigation due to their implications for disease severity and treatment outcomes. We examined changes in leukocyte levels, eosinophil activity, and cytokine profiles in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Methods: Serum samples were collected within the first 10 days of hospitalization/confirmed infection and analyzed for eosinophil granule proteins (EGP) and cytokines. Information from medical records including comorbidities, clinical symptoms, medications, and complete blood counts were collected at the time of admission, during hospitalization and at follow up approximately 3 months later. Results: Serum levels of eotaxin, type 1 and type 2 cytokines, and alarmin cytokines were elevated in COVID-19 patients, highlighting the heightened immune response (p < 0.05). However, COVID-19 patients exhibited lower levels of eosinophils and eosinophil degranulation products compared to hospitalized controls (p < 0.05). Leukocyte counts increased consistently from admission to follow-up, indicative of recovery. Conclusion: Attenuated eosinophil activity alongside elevated chemokine and cytokine levels during active infection, highlights the complex interplay of immune mediators in the pathogenesis COVID-19 and underscores the need for further investigation into immune biomarkers and treatment strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Pathophysiology of Lung Diseases)
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Review

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14 pages, 641 KiB  
Review
Personalized Medicine in Severe Asthma: From Biomarkers to Biologics
by Chun-Yu Chen, Kang-Hsi Wu, Bei-Cyuan Guo, Wen-Ya Lin, Yu-Jun Chang, Chih-Wei Wei, Mao-Jen Lin and Han-Ping Wu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(1), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25010182 - 22 Dec 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4144
Abstract
Severe asthma is a complex and heterogeneous clinical condition presented as chronic inflammation of the airways. Conventional treatments are mainly focused on symptom control; however, there has been a shift towards personalized medicine. Identification of different phenotypes driven by complex pathobiological mechanisms (endotypes), [...] Read more.
Severe asthma is a complex and heterogeneous clinical condition presented as chronic inflammation of the airways. Conventional treatments are mainly focused on symptom control; however, there has been a shift towards personalized medicine. Identification of different phenotypes driven by complex pathobiological mechanisms (endotypes), especially those driven by type-2 (T2) inflammation, has led to improved treatment outcomes. Combining biomarkers with T2-targeting monoclonal antibodies is crucial for developing personalized treatment strategies. Several biological agents, including anti-immunoglobulin E, anti-interleukin-5, and anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin/interleukin-4, have been approved for the treatment of severe asthma. These biological therapies have demonstrated efficacy in reducing asthma exacerbations, lowering eosinophil count, improving lung function, diminishing oral corticosteroid use, and improving the quality of life in selected patients. Severe asthma management is undergoing a profound transformation with the introduction of ongoing and future biological therapies. The availability of novel treatment options has facilitated the adoption of phenotype/endotype-specific approaches and disappearance of generic interventions. The transition towards precision medicine plays a crucial role in meticulously addressing the individual traits of asthma pathobiology. An era of tailored strategies has emerged, allowing for the successful targeting of immune-inflammatory responses that underlie uncontrolled T2-high asthma. These personalized approaches hold great promise for improving the overall efficacy and outcomes in the management of severe asthma. This article comprehensively reviews currently available biological agents and biomarkers for treating severe asthma. With the expanding repertoire of therapeutic options, it is becoming increasingly crucial to comprehend the influencing factors, understand the pathogenesis, and track treatment progress in severe asthma. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Pathophysiology of Lung Diseases)
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