Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue and immune-mediated respiratory diseases

Abstract Inflammatory and infectious upper respiratory diseases (IURDs; ICD-10: J30-J39), such as diseases of sinonasal tract, pharynx and larynx, are growing health problems yet their genomic similarity is not known. We analyzed genome-wide association to eight IURDs (61,195 cases) among 260,405 FinnGen participants, meta-analyzing diseases in four groups based on an underlying genetic correlation structure. We aimed to understand which genetic loci contribute to susceptibility to IURDs in general and its subtypes. We detected 59 independent genome-wide significant (GWS) loci, distinguishing impact on sinonasal or pharyngeal diseases, or both. Fine-mapping implicated non-synonymous variants in 16 genes, including 10 linked to immune-related diseases. Phenome-wide analysis implicated asthma and atopic dermatitis at sinonasal disease loci and inflammatory bowel diseases, and other immune-mediated disorders at pharyngeal disease loci. IURDs also genetically correlated with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune hypothyroidism, and psoriasis. Finally, we associated separate gene pathways in sinonasal and pharyngeal diseases that both contribute to type 2 immunological reaction. We show shared heritability among IURDs that extends to several immune-mediated diseases with diverse mechanisms, such as type 2 high inflammation.

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The Conjunctiva-Associated Lymphoid Tissue in Chronic Ocular Surface Diseases

Microscopy and Microanalysis ◽

10.1017/s1431927617000538 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 697-707 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Rodolfo Mastropasqua ◽

Luca Agnifili ◽

Vincenzo Fasanella ◽

Mario Nubile ◽

Agbeanda A. Gnama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ocular Surface ◽

Lymphoid Tissue ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Lymphoid Cells ◽

Lymphoid Tissues ◽

Immune Mediated ◽

Ocular Surface Diseases

AbstractOcular surface diseases (OSDs) represent a widely investigated field of research given their growing incidence and the negative impact on quality of life. During OSDs, cytokines generated by damaged epithelia trigger and deregulate the lymphoid cells composing the eye-associated lymphoid tissues, inducing an immune-mediated chronic inflammation that amplifies and propagates the disease during time. The conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue (CALT), given its particular position that permits immune cells covering the cornea, might play a crucial role in the development of OSDs. Despite the recognized inflammatory role of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues in other stations taking contact with the external environment (gut or bronchus), CALT did not gain the deserved consideration. In the last years, the diffusion of the in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) stimulated the interest to CALT, especially in dry eye, ocular allergy, and glaucoma. Though the initial stimuli were different, IVCM documented similar changes, represented by increased lymphoid cells within the diffuse layer, follicles and interfollicular spaces. These findings, which need to be validated by immunohistology, support the CALT stimulation during OSDs. However, while an involvement of the CALT in OSDs is hypothesizable, the exact role of this structure in their pathogenesis remains unclear and warrants further investigations.

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Editorial: Impact of System Biology and Molecular Medicine on the Management of Complex Immune Mediated Respiratory Diseases

Frontiers in Medicine ◽

10.3389/fmed.2021.745739 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Blanca Cárdaba ◽

Girolamo Pelaia

Keyword(s):

System Biology ◽

Respiratory Diseases ◽

Molecular Medicine ◽

Immune Mediated

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Gut microbiome a promising target for management of respiratory diseases

Biochemical Journal ◽

10.1042/bcj20200426 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 477 (14) ◽

pp. 2679-2696

Author(s):

Riddhi Trivedi ◽

Kalyani Barve

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Diseases ◽

New Technology ◽

Bacterial Flora ◽

Systemic Circulation ◽

The Body ◽

Lung Pathology ◽

Promising Target ◽

Current Therapies ◽

Intestinal Microbial Flora ◽

On Chip

The intestinal microbial flora has risen to be one of the important etiological factors in the development of diseases like colorectal cancer, obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, anxiety and Parkinson's. The emergence of the association between bacterial flora and lungs led to the discovery of the gut–lung axis. Dysbiosis of several species of colonic bacteria such as Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes and transfer of these bacteria from gut to lungs via lymphatic and systemic circulation are associated with several respiratory diseases such as lung cancer, asthma, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, etc. Current therapies for dysbiosis include use of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics to restore the balance between various species of beneficial bacteria. Various approaches like nanotechnology and microencapsulation have been explored to increase the permeability and viability of probiotics in the body. The need of the day is comprehensive study of mechanisms behind dysbiosis, translocation of microbiota from gut to lung through various channels and new technology for evaluating treatment to correct this dysbiosis which in turn can be used to manage various respiratory diseases. Microfluidics and organ on chip model are emerging technologies that can satisfy these needs. This review gives an overview of colonic commensals in lung pathology and novel systems that help in alleviating symptoms of lung diseases. We have also hypothesized new models to help in understanding bacterial pathways involved in the gut–lung axis as well as act as a futuristic approach in finding treatment of respiratory diseases caused by dysbiosis.

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