Satheesh Chonat, Jayre A. Jones, Seema R. Patel, William M. Briones, Michelle L. Schoettler, Maya Maarouf, Lauren A. Jeffers, Olufolake Adisa, Fang Tan, Earl Fields, Morgan S. Sterling, Ryan P. Jajosky, Hans Verkerke, Sara H. Graciaa, Elisabetta M. Foppiani, Ross M. Fasano, Patricia E. Zerra, Yongzhi Qiu, Connie M. Arthur, Wilbur A. Lam, Solomon F. Ofori-Acquah, Michael Koval, Clinton H. Joiner, David R. Archer, Sean R. Stowell
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Despite being the first genetic disease described, sickle cell disease (SCD) continues to result in severe complications. Of these complications, acute chest syndrome (ACS), a form of acute lung injury, leads all-cause mortality. However, the pathophysiology of ACS remains incompletely understood, resulting in patients with ACS receiving only supportive measures. Here, we found that ACS is accompanied by activation of the complement pathway, an evolutionarily ancient innate immune system responsible for eliminating microbes. Using a well-defined preclinical model of SCD, hemolysis, a precursor of ACS, not only induced ACS but also drove robust complement activation. Artificial activation of complement alone similarly induced ACS, whereas genetic removal or pharmacological inhibition of complement rendered SCD mice resistant to ACS even after induction of hemolysis. These results demonstrate that complement drives ACS, establishing a link between SCD and this ancient form of immunity that provides an opportunity for targeted treatment of this complication.
期刊介绍:
Science Translational Medicine is an online journal that focuses on publishing research at the intersection of science, engineering, and medicine. The goal of the journal is to promote human health by providing a platform for researchers from various disciplines to communicate their latest advancements in biomedical, translational, and clinical research.
The journal aims to address the slow translation of scientific knowledge into effective treatments and health measures. It publishes articles that fill the knowledge gaps between preclinical research and medical applications, with a focus on accelerating the translation of knowledge into new ways of preventing, diagnosing, and treating human diseases.
The scope of Science Translational Medicine includes various areas such as cardiovascular disease, immunology/vaccines, metabolism/diabetes/obesity, neuroscience/neurology/psychiatry, cancer, infectious diseases, policy, behavior, bioengineering, chemical genomics/drug discovery, imaging, applied physical sciences, medical nanotechnology, drug delivery, biomarkers, gene therapy/regenerative medicine, toxicology and pharmacokinetics, data mining, cell culture, animal and human studies, medical informatics, and other interdisciplinary approaches to medicine.
The target audience of the journal includes researchers and management in academia, government, and the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. It is also relevant to physician scientists, regulators, policy makers, investors, business developers, and funding agencies.