LungPub Date : 2025-06-29DOI: 10.1007/s00408-025-00826-2
F Zeba, I Singh, J Gomez, A Khosla
{"title":"Right Ventricular-Pulmonary Arterial Uncoupling Thresholds in Acute Pulmonary Embolism.","authors":"F Zeba, I Singh, J Gomez, A Khosla","doi":"10.1007/s00408-025-00826-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-025-00826-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction/purpose: </strong>Right ventricle (RV) dysfunction in the setting of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with worse outcomes. The ratio of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) provides an estimate of right ventricular-arterial (RV-PA) coupling and has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients with pulmonary hypertension. In this study, we examined if RV-PA uncoupling can further risk stratify acute PE.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a single-center, retrospective analysis of patients admitted to a tertiary center with the diagnosis of acute PE. The Kruskal-Wallis Rank Sum, Wilcoxon Rank Sum, and Chi-square tests were used to identify clinical features associated with reduced RV-PA uncoupling at three distinct thresholds, severe (< 0.31), moderate (0.31-0.4) and mild (> 0.4-1.75) derived from prior studies.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>146 patients were included in our analysis. Patients with severely impaired RV-PA uncoupling ratios were more likely to have RV dysfunction by CT defined as CT RV/LV ratio > 0.9 (p < 0.01) and were more likely to need veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) compared to those that had moderate or mild impairment (p < 0.01). We also found a correlation between BNP (r = - 0.44, p < 0.01), lactate levels (r = - 0.18 p = 0.04), and the TAPSE/PASP ratio. European Society of Cardiology, sPESI, and BOVA risk stratification scores did not distinguish between patients with mild, moderate, or severe RV-PA uncoupling.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Patients with acute PE who have severely impaired RV-PA uncoupling ratios have more severe disease, characterized by elevated biomarkers and need for VA-ECMO. TAPSE/PASP values can be used to risk stratify and guide treatment of acute PE.</p>","PeriodicalId":18163,"journal":{"name":"Lung","volume":"203 1","pages":"71"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144528633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
LungPub Date : 2025-06-27DOI: 10.1007/s00408-025-00825-3
Howraman Meteran, Simon Francis Thomsen, Jacob Hjelmborg, Martin R Miller, Kaare Christensen, Torben Sigsgaard, Vibeke Backer
{"title":"Genetic Factors Explain Half of the Individual Susceptibility to Chronic Bronchitis, Airflow Obstruction and COPD Regardless of the Spirometric Definition: A Nationwide Twin Study.","authors":"Howraman Meteran, Simon Francis Thomsen, Jacob Hjelmborg, Martin R Miller, Kaare Christensen, Torben Sigsgaard, Vibeke Backer","doi":"10.1007/s00408-025-00825-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00408-025-00825-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Smoking is a major risk factor for lung function decline and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the individual susceptibility to these traits cannot be explained solely by environmental risk factors.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To estimate the relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors to lung function, chronic bronchitis and COPD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>12,449 twins aged 40-80 years participated in a nationwide survey using the Danish Twin Registry, which included a questionnaire, clinical examination and spirometry. Clinical COPD was defined by respiratory symptoms plus airflow obstruction. Biometric models of genetic and environmental latent factors were used to estimate the heritability after adjusting for sex, age, and height.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean (SD) age of the study population was 58.4 (9.6) years and mean BMI (kg/m<sup>2</sup>) was 26.6 (4.4); 20% were current smokers and 52% were females. The heritability of FEV<sub>1</sub>, FVC and FEV<sub>1</sub>/FVC was 64% (60-67%), 61% (57-65%), and 50% (46-55%), respectively. Genetic factors explained 48% (24-72%) and 47% (16-78%), respectively, of the individual susceptibility to chronic bronchitis and clinical COPD.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Genetic factors explain at least half of the variation in lung function and around half of the individual susceptibility to chronic bronchitis and clinical COPD, respectively, when adjusted for sex, age, height.</p>","PeriodicalId":18163,"journal":{"name":"Lung","volume":"203 1","pages":"70"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12204911/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144512121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Overexpression of BPIFB4 Alleviates COPD Inflammatory Damage by Inhibiting M1 Macrophage Activation via the PI3K/AKT Pathway.","authors":"Lexin Xue, Jingran Xu, Hui Gong, Zulipikaer Abudureheman, Ayiguli ALimu, Yun Chen, Aifang Zheng, Liang Gao, Xiuqi Lu, Chengxin Xie, Li Li","doi":"10.1007/s00408-025-00824-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00408-025-00824-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Macrophage polarization is essential for inflammatory regulation in COPD. The precise role of BPI Fold-Containing Family B Member 4 (BPIFB4) in regulating the inflammatory processes underlying COPD pathogenesis remains to be fully elucidated. This investigation seeks to clarify how BPIFB4 modulates macrophage polarization by activating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT1 signaling pathway, thereby influencing inflammatory progression in COPD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In a COPD mouse model induced by cigarette smoke (CS) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and in cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-treated THP-1 cells, BPIFB4 was overexpressed or silenced. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, lung tissues, and serum were collected. qPCR and western blots assessed BPIFB4 and PI3K-AKT1 pathway expression in lung tissues and THP-1 cells. Flow cytometry evaluated M1/M2 macrophage polarization, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measured related cytokine levels.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results demonstrated how BPIFB4 gene silencing resulted in more pronounced lung tissue and functional damage compared to BPIFB4 overexpression, alongside an elevated presence of M1 macrophages and associated pro-inflammatory factors. In contrast, BPIFB4 overexpression in both COPD mice and CSE-treated THP-1 cells significantly enhanced p-AKT1 and p-PI3K levels while reducing the number of M1 macrophages. In addition, inhibition of the PI3K-AKT1 pathway reversed these effects, resulting in a marked increase in M1 macrophages and their associated cytokines.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>BPIFB4 overexpression alleviates M1 macrophage polarization by activating the PI3K-AKT1 pathway, thereby reducing lung tissue damage and dysfunction in COPD mice.</p>","PeriodicalId":18163,"journal":{"name":"Lung","volume":"203 1","pages":"69"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12170767/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144310141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
LungPub Date : 2025-06-04DOI: 10.1007/s00408-025-00821-7
Diandian Li, Lian Liu, Jiangyue Qin, Cheng Shen, Bo Wang
{"title":"Roles of Pyruvate Kinase M2 in Pulmonary Diseases: What Do We Know So Far?","authors":"Diandian Li, Lian Liu, Jiangyue Qin, Cheng Shen, Bo Wang","doi":"10.1007/s00408-025-00821-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-025-00821-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is a critical enzyme regulating cell metabolism and growth under different physiological conditions. In its metabolic role, PKM2 catalyzes the final and also a rate-limiting reaction in the glycolytic pathway, converting phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to pyruvate while phosphorylating adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to pyruvate and adenosine-triphosphate (ATP). Also, PKM2 has been reported to function as a protein kinase that regulates gene transcription and expression involved in cellular growth and survival. Current studies have focused on the glycolytic and non‑glycolytic functions of PKM2 in various tissues and organs. In this review, we summarize the in-depth role of PKM2 in the pathogenesis in pulmonary diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), acute lung injury (ALI), pulmonary fibrosis, infectious lung disease and lung cancer. We also discuss its potential applications in disease diagnosis and therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":18163,"journal":{"name":"Lung","volume":"203 1","pages":"67"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144216259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
LungPub Date : 2025-06-04DOI: 10.1007/s00408-025-00822-6
Wonshill Koh, JangDong Seo, Nicholas J Ollberding, Don Hayes
{"title":"Functional Status Trends for Adults and Children on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation at Time of Lung Transplantation.","authors":"Wonshill Koh, JangDong Seo, Nicholas J Ollberding, Don Hayes","doi":"10.1007/s00408-025-00822-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-025-00822-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Poor or worsening functional status of lung transplant (LTx) candidates is a key risk factor for waitlist and post-transplant mortality. As more critically ill adults and children are listed for LTx, the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as bridge to LTx is also increasing. Sustaining optimal functional status while on the waitlist to LTx is crucial for LTx candidates as deterioration in functional status can negatively impact pre- and post-LTx outcomes. We conducted an analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing Registry which showed that most patients (70%) on ECMO successfully bridged to LTx. The majority had severely limited functional status at the time of waitlisting but 96% of adults requiring ECMO on the waitlist for LTx either maintained or improved functional status from the time of waitlist to the time of LTx while all children on ECMO maintained or improved their functional status. With continuing medical and technical advances, the use of ECMO may also evolve to improve LTx candidates' functional status.</p>","PeriodicalId":18163,"journal":{"name":"Lung","volume":"203 1","pages":"68"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144225861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
LungPub Date : 2025-06-03DOI: 10.1007/s00408-025-00817-3
Christopher Theroux, Christina Raker, Melissa Guillen, Annaly Aldana, Ashanti Avalos, F Dennis McCool, Ghada Bourjeily
{"title":"Impact of Asthma and Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Central Airways Resistance During Pregnancy.","authors":"Christopher Theroux, Christina Raker, Melissa Guillen, Annaly Aldana, Ashanti Avalos, F Dennis McCool, Ghada Bourjeily","doi":"10.1007/s00408-025-00817-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-025-00817-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Pregnancy is a risk factor for the development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and for worsening of asthma; the interaction between the two disorders is not well described. We aimed to examine airway mechanics in pregnant patients with and without OSA and asthma.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We studied 217 women with BMI above 25 early in the second trimester of pregnancy. Airways resistance was measured using the forced oscillation technique at 5 Hz (R5), 20 Hz (R20), and 35 Hz (R35). All values were expressed as % predicted. level III sleep studies were scored according to the recommended AASM rules; OSA was diagnosed by AHI ≥ 5 events per hour. Asthma was defined by medical history and record review.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 217 women tested, 53 had OSA and 66 had asthma. R20 and R35 were increased in women with both OSA and asthma compared to those with neither asthma nor OSA (adjusted mean difference (aMD) for R20 was 19.7, CI 3.4-36.0, p value = 0.02; aMD for R35 was 36.9 CI 12.4-61.5, p value = 0.003). There was a significant increase in R35 for women with OSA as opposed to those without (aMD 17.6 (CI 1.4-33.8; p value = 0.03).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Pregnant women with both OSA and asthma have higher central airways resistance and upper airway resistance as measured at R20 and R35, respectively, compared to those with neither OSA nor asthma. Further work is needed to understand mechanisms underlying the synergistic effects of OSA and asthma on airways mechanics.</p>","PeriodicalId":18163,"journal":{"name":"Lung","volume":"203 1","pages":"66"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144208882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
LungPub Date : 2025-05-31DOI: 10.1007/s00408-025-00820-8
Yan Lin, Jiaqi Chen, Jiale Tan, Zihang Yu, Ruozheng Pi, Jingrong Xiong, Yi Ding, Minfeng Chen, Xue Bai
{"title":"Pericytes in the Pulmonary Microenvironment: Guardians or Adversaries?","authors":"Yan Lin, Jiaqi Chen, Jiale Tan, Zihang Yu, Ruozheng Pi, Jingrong Xiong, Yi Ding, Minfeng Chen, Xue Bai","doi":"10.1007/s00408-025-00820-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-025-00820-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pericytes, specialized mural cells residing within the basement membrane of pulmonary microvessels, participate in various biological processes, including vascular homeostasis, immunomodulation, and tissue repair. However, these beneficial physiological roles can be detrimental under pathological conditions. Numerous pulmonary fibrosis models have demonstrated pericyte differentiation into scar-forming myofibroblasts, leading to collagen deposition and matrix remodeling, thereby contributing to tissue fibrosis. Similarly, pericytes play crucial roles in inflammatory diseases. This review aims to explore the dual roles of pericytes in the lung and the underlying mechanisms of their role conversion, providing insights for developing therapeutic strategies targeting these cells.</p>","PeriodicalId":18163,"journal":{"name":"Lung","volume":"203 1","pages":"65"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144191962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
LungPub Date : 2025-05-26DOI: 10.1007/s00408-025-00818-2
Jeffrey D Ritzenthaler, Edilson Torres-Gonzalez, Yvonne Janssen-Heininger, Walter H Watson, Jesse Roman
{"title":"Role of Slc7a11 in Bleomycin-Induced Lung Injury.","authors":"Jeffrey D Ritzenthaler, Edilson Torres-Gonzalez, Yvonne Janssen-Heininger, Walter H Watson, Jesse Roman","doi":"10.1007/s00408-025-00818-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-025-00818-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Oxidative stress has been implicated in lung injury and repair. We seek to understand how alterations in the plasma redox potential (Eh) of the thiol disulfide couple cysteine (Cys) and cystine (CySS) (Eh Cys/CySS) affect this process. Previously, we reported that Eh Cys/CySS oxidation promotes a pro-fibrotic phenotype in lung fibroblasts and identified the cystine/glutamate exchanger solute carrier family 7, member 11 (Slc7a11) as a regulator of Eh Cys/CySS. We also observed that pharmacological agents capable of altering Slc7a11 expression affect lung fibroblast phenotype in vitro. We hypothesized that alterations in Slc7a11 expression would affect lung injury in vivo and set out to test this in C57Bl6 mice exposed to bleomycin. However, we did not observe changes in bleomycin-induced lung injury in animals treated with pharmacological alterations in Slc7a11 expression or when Slc7a11 knockout animals were tested. Thus, the role of Slc7a11 in lung injury remains uncertain.</p>","PeriodicalId":18163,"journal":{"name":"Lung","volume":"203 1","pages":"64"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144150998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
LungPub Date : 2025-05-22DOI: 10.1007/s00408-025-00819-1
Andrea Campagnolo, Vinícius Nickel, Michael S Benninger
{"title":"Efficacy and Safety of Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block in the Management of Neuropathic Cough: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Andrea Campagnolo, Vinícius Nickel, Michael S Benninger","doi":"10.1007/s00408-025-00819-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00408-025-00819-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To systematically review the efficacy and safety, both short and long-term, of superior laryngeal nerve block (SLNB) for managing neuropathic cough.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A literature search was conducted using the keywords \"Superior laryngeal nerve block,\" \"Neurogenic Cough,\" \"Neuropathic Cough,\" and \"Refractory Chronic Cough.\" The primary outcome was cough-specific quality of life (QoL), evaluated with validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) such as the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), Cough Severity Index (CSI), and Hull Airway Reflux Questionnaire (HARQ). Additional data included SLNB technique, cough duration, use of neuromodulators and Behavioral Cough Suppression Therapy (BCST), injection frequency, vocal fold dysfunction (VFD), and adverse events. Quality assessments used the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Ten studies comprising 625 patients were included. The average cough duration prior to intervention was 78 months, with a mean follow-up of 5.01 months. Patients received an average of 2.5 injections. Short-term outcomes showed consistent improvements in PROMs and cough perception. Long-term outcomes (beyond three months) were reported in four studies, with minimal variations but no statistical comparisons to baseline scores. Significant heterogeneity was noted across studies, including differences in assessment protocols and adjunctive therapies. No significant adverse events were reported.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>SLNB is a safe and effective treatment for refractory chronic cough, either alone or with systemic medications. However, the variability among studies highlights the need for standardized protocols and further research with long-term follow-up to confirm its efficacy.</p>","PeriodicalId":18163,"journal":{"name":"Lung","volume":"203 1","pages":"63"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144120095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}