Research on the lungs and respiratory health. Covers asthma prevention, immune cell activity, age-related decline, and pulmonary care.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that infection triggers the expression of a protein called IL-33, leading to overgrowth of air spaces and increased mucus production. The researchers suggest that blocking this process could prevent chronic lung damage caused by viral infections.
A novel CT scan-based approach detects changes in lung tissue indicating emphysema and airway constriction in patients with asthma. This finding may explain why conventional anti-inflammatory treatments are ineffective in some asthmatics, paving the way for personalized management of the disease.
Researchers reverse lung fibrosis in a mouse model using Bcl-2 inhibitor ABT-199, suggesting a novel therapeutic target to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The study finds that monocyte-derived macrophages play a key role in fibrosis progression and that targeting the Cpt1a-Bcl-2 interaction modulates apoptosis resistance.
A six-country study found that awake prone positioning significantly reduced the need for mechanical ventilation in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The intervention improved blood oxygen levels and lung function by matching blood flow and ventilation.
A new clinical study reveals that treatment with mesenchymal stromal cells reduces inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study provides insights into the therapeutic potential of MSCs as a novel treatment for COPD, which is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.
Researchers used a hamster model to study COVID-19 lung damage, discovering that the immune system's response plays a crucial role in disease progression. They found that certain cells involved in lung immunity ingest the virus, triggering an inflammatory response that can be brought under control by T cells.
Scientists investigated a method to enhance immunotherapy for lung cancer and found that combining it with certain chemotherapy drugs could eliminate harmful immune cells. This approach showed promising results in preclinical studies, inducing the regression of about 70% of tumors.
Researchers have modelled how drugs are delivered to the respiratory tract via an inhaler to better treat lung diseases. Finer drug particles of around one micron are better able to travel further into the lungs.
A new clinical trial will test a simple breathing exercise for adults with obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension. The study aims to reduce blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health through inspiratory muscle training.
A recent study published in Transplant Infectious Disease found that COVID-19 vaccination provides strong protection against the virus for solid organ transplant recipients, with an almost 80% reduction in symptomatic cases. The study examined data from over 2,150 transplant patients and showed that nearly 70% of vaccinated patients re...
A new process for making RNA has been developed by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, yielding purer and more abundant RNA at a fraction of the cost. This breakthrough removes the largest stumbling block on the path to next-generation RNA therapeutic drugs.
A comprehensive molecular map of lung squamous cell carcinoma has identified potential new drug targets, including the gene NSD3, and highlighted immune regulation pathways that could help cancer evade immunotherapies. The study's findings have also revealed metabolic dysregulation and crosstalk between different cellular processes.
The American College of Chest Physicians has released new clinical guidelines for venous thromboembolism (VTE) management, providing 29 recommendations on patient care and treatment. The guidelines update previous recommendations and offer strong guidance for clinicians managing patients with VTE.
Researchers identified protein patterns in lung tissue from patients with end-stage bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, revealing an epithelial/mesenchymal imbalance and increased stiffness in remodeled airways. This breakthrough study may help develop therapies to improve long-term outcomes for lung transplantation patients.
Researchers discovered a protein called CTRP9 associated with pulmonary function in scleroderma patients with interstitial lung disease. Patients with higher CTRP9 levels developed more severe lung disease, while low levels were linked to preserved function. The study suggests CTRP9 could help predict treatment needs for these patients.
Researchers at Hokkaido University created a lipid polymer that can carry genetic code into lung cells, potentially treating diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and lung cancers. The delivery method bypasses the liver and targets specific lung cells without targeting ligands.
The European Respiratory Society has announced the press registration and program for its upcoming International Congress 2021. Over 4,000 presentations on various lung health topics will be presented during the event.
Researchers at UIC are developing a potential COVID-19 treatment using VT-109, which has shown promise in animal models by restoring lung function and reducing inflammation. The new funding will be used to conduct pre-clinical studies to determine efficacy, toxicity, and dosages before human trials.
A team of researchers identified a protein called FCHSD1 involved in COPD-related inflammation and cell death. Mice lacking FCHSD1 showed reduced inflammation and apoptosis, suggesting its inhibition as a potential therapy for emphysema.
A University of Alberta research team found that firefighters dealing with the massive 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire suffered from long-term lung damage, including increased bronchial reactivity and thickening. The risk of developing asthma was more than doubled compared to the general population.
Researchers discovered that cells sense and respond to mechanical forces based on the rate of force application, which can lead to cell stiffening or softening. The 'molecular clutch' model explains how this affects cellular behavior, particularly in cancer development and organ function.
A subset of fibroblasts in lungs of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) produce a protein called meflin, which protects against cell aging and fibrosis. Further research could lead to novel therapies for lung fibrosis.
A TGen-led international study reveals that SARS-CoV-2 takes advantage of genetic changes in patients with pre-existing lung diseases, leading to more severe symptoms and poorer outcomes. The research identifies molecular characteristics associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted treatments.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that reduced-dose CT scans can detect greater than 90% of lung nodules in children and young adults with cancer. This could lead to a reduction in patient dose while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy.
A new study finds that over 37% of coal miners suffer from major depressive disorder, with 11.4% considering suicide in the last year. The researchers urge increased mental health support and further study of potential contributors to this crisis.
A new study found that lung metastases from triple-negative breast cancer contain a more diverse array of cancer cells compared to liver metastases. The researchers identified specific genes responsible for this difference, which may inform targeted therapies for breast cancer treatment.
Researchers have identified DAF as a receptor that increases damage to the lungs in mice infected with influenza A virus. The study highlights an immune evasion strategy by the virus and stresses the importance of a balanced immune response to viral infections.
The NIH-funded program provides comprehensive training in lung biology and pulmonary sciences, with a focus on integrating basic science with clinical applications. Researchers will benefit from mentorship in grant writing, science communication, and career development.
Researchers discovered fundamental differences in T-cell responses between patients who recover from and die from severe COVID-19. They found that dying patients harbor more lung-homing T cells, which contribute to extensive lung deterioration, while survivors have a growing number of Th1 T cells, important fighters of viral infection.
Research from Thomas Jefferson University found that e-cigarette vapor increases levels of the coronavirus receptor ACE-2 in lung tissue of mice, making them more susceptible to infection. Male mice were found to have a greater increase in ACE-2 when exposed to nicotine, highlighting a potential sex difference in vaping-related risks.
Immunologists at McMaster University have identified a 'spider web' mechanism that traps pathogens like influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in neutrophils, creating a sticky tangle to kill viruses. This discovery could lead to new aerosol and nasal spray vaccine technologies to prevent infections before they spread.
A recent study has made a breakthrough in understanding the process that leads to pulmonary embolism, a condition that kills over 2,000 people in the UK each year. Researchers have identified a protein called fibrin as crucial in stabilizing clots and preventing fragments from breaking loose.
Type II alveolar cells, a major cell type infected by SARS-CoV-2, possess high levels of MHC-II and play a role in improving the outcome of respiratory viral infections. AT2 MHC-II expression is unique and triggers an immune cascade that activates helper T cells.
Researchers have identified a novel virulence trait of Streptococcus pneumoniae that increases the severity of S. pneumoniae superinfection following flu. The surface protein PspA, previously known to have several other virulence mechanisms, now functions as an adhesin to dying lung epithelial cells. This finding provides further expla...
A previously validated blood gene profile that predicts idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis mortality has been repurposed to assess the likelihood of COVID-19 survival. The study found a high-risk gene profile associated with greater ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital death.
A Phase 2 trial showed that combining doxycycline with TB treatment reduces lung cavity size and increases markers of recovery in pulmonary TB patients. This discovery has promise for preventing long-term complications and improving outcomes for those affected by the disease.
Researchers develop nanodecoys made from human lung spheroid cells that bind to and neutralize SARS-CoV-2, accelerating viral clearance and reducing lung injury. The therapy could be effective against emerging variants of the virus.
A new study reveals that coronaviruses induce substantial apoptosis in host cells, enabling their internal spread. Targeting this process with PERK inhibitors reduces viral pathogenesis and lung damage.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine developed an improved oligonucleotide therapy strategy that can correct gene defects underlying cystic fibrosis. The approach has shown promising results in both human cells and mice, with potential applications for treating other pulmonary diseases.
Researchers have identified seven genes responsible for excessive inflammation and damage to the lungs in tuberculosis. A new drug treatment, doxycycline, has shown promise in reducing lung damage and accelerating recovery in patients with pulmonary TB.
Researchers developed a nanoparticle delivery system to stimulate blood vessel growth in the newborn lung, improving survival rates from 70% to 35%. The treatment involves delivering an engineered nanoparticle carrying a STAT3 gene vector, which prompts blood vessel growth and improves lung function.
A University of California, San Diego study uses AI to analyze gene expression patterns associated with pandemic viral infections. The analysis reveals two telltale signatures that help define patients' immune responses and measure disease severity. These findings provide a map for predicting patient outcomes and testing therapies.
Researchers found that metformin prevents pulmonary inflammation, a major factor in COVID-19 severity and mortality, by inhibiting inflammasome activation and reducing IL-1β production. Metformin may have therapeutic potential for treating severe COVID-19 and other forms of acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed an atomic-level model of the SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein bound to a human lung-cell-junction protein. The findings reveal how the virus causes extensive lung damage by hijacking cell-junction proteins, leading to a cytokine storm and promoting viral spread.
A new physiological measurement of heart function, PAPP, has been shown to identify high-risk patients with systolic heart failure or pulmonary hypertension. This monitoring technology can reduce the risk of death by 46% annually in patients with low PAPPs.
Abbreviated lung ultrasound protocols show similar diagnostic sensitivity to 28-zone studies, suggesting they can efficiently diagnose volume overload. Researchers found no mortality differences between patients with mild and moderate-to-severe pulmonary congestion.
Researchers from UNC School of Medicine discovered that MUC5AC is more reliably associated with COPD manifestation than another mucus protein, revealing a possible biomarker for disease initiation and prognosis. Elevated levels of MUC5AC in non-smokers who developed COPD suggest it could predict disease progression.
Researchers analyzed 430 lung squamous tumors and identified mutations in genes such as TP53, CDKN2A, and FGFR1. The study found that 13.5% of patients with druggable mutations had lower median overall survival.
A nationwide clinical trial found no benefit from antibiotics in preventing hospitalization or death for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The study collected biological samples that will advance the understanding and treatment of the disease.
Researchers at the University of Münster discovered that platelet-white blood cell interactions resolve lung inflammation by secreting anti-inflammatory substances and eliminating excess neutrophil granulocytes. This finding has implications for developing new therapy concepts to combat acute respiratory failure.
Researchers discovered that antibody-secreting cells are formed in lung tissue after a respiratory infection, producing antibodies that fight microbes. These localized antibodies may play a key role in determining who becomes severely ill or experiences mild symptoms when infected.
Scientists discover that inhalable nanobodies targeting the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 can prevent and treat severe COVID-19 in hamsters. The treatment showed impressive results, reducing infectious virus particles by a million-fold and preventing weight loss associated with severe infection.
The VOYAGE study found that dupilumab reduced asthma exacerbations by 59.3% in children with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma. The treatment also improved lung function within two weeks, an effect sustained for up to 52 weeks.
Research presented at the ATS 2021 International Conference found that cumulative tobacco smoke exposure during pregnancy and childhood is associated with decreased lung function in children. Even small amounts of secondhand smoke exposure can have detrimental effects on children's lung function.
Research presented at the ATS 2021 International Conference found that patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) living in poor neighborhoods experience poorer outcomes, including increased mortality and reduced odds of receiving a lung transplant. The study highlights the impact of environmental factors on disease progression.
Researchers found that individuals with asthma living in historically redlined neighborhoods have lower lung function than those in non-redlined areas. This association was independent of race and co-occurring diseases, suggesting that environmental factors play a significant role in worsening asthma outcomes in these communities.
A new study has confirmed that UK children with cystic fibrosis have poorer lung function than their US peers, suggesting differences in treatment patterns may be the cause. The research also found that children in the US received more aggressive mucolytic therapy earlier in life.
Researchers have developed a novel nanotechnology that can improve the effectiveness of the CF antibiotic Tobramycin, increasing its efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections. The technology has shown to eradicate infections in as little as two doses, providing new hope for people living with cystic fibrosis.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified a panel of genes that are active in smokers and ex-smokers who experience faster loss of lung function. These genes may be useful to predict which people are most at risk for smoking-related decline in lung function, offering hope for early diagnosis and treatment.
A team of researchers has created a molecular catalog of cells in healthy lungs and those affected by cystic fibrosis. The study reveals new subtypes of cells and sheds light on the cellular changes that occur in the airways, providing potential targets for future genetic therapies.