Virus-induced Exacerbations Research Articles

Neutrophil extracellular traps promote immunopathogenesis of virus-induced COPD exacerbations

Respiratory viruses are a major trigger of exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Airway neutrophilia is a hallmark feature of stable and exacerbated COPD but roles played by neutrophil extracellular traps (NETS) in driving disease pathogenesis are unclear. Here, using human studies of experimentally-induced and naturally-occurring exacerbations we identify that rhinovirus infection induces airway NET formation which is amplified in COPD and correlates with magnitude of inflammation and clinical exacerbation severity. We show that inhibiting NETosis protects mice from immunopathology in a model of virus-exacerbated COPD. NETs drive inflammation during exacerbations through release of double stranded DNA (dsDNA) and administration of DNAse in mice has similar protective effects. Thus, NETosis, through release of dsDNA, has a functional role in the pathogenesis of COPD exacerbations. These studies open up the potential for therapeutic targeting of NETs or dsDNA as a strategy for treating virus-exacerbated COPD.

Efficacy of treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after virus-induced exacerbations

Viral respiratory infection is one of the main etiologic factors for acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). The disease course after virus-associated AECOPD and the response to treatment have not been studied adequately.The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of single-inhaler triple therapy (SITT) of long-acting anticholinergic drugs (LAMA)/long-acting β2-agonists (LABA) of adrenergic receptors/inhaled glucocorticosteroids (ICS) on COPD symptoms, lung function, exercise tolerance, and inflammatory activity compared with multiple-inhaler triple therapy (MITT) after a virus-associated COPD exacerbation.Methods. This was an observational prospective cohort study of COPD patients (spirographус criterion) hospitalized for AECOPD with viral (n = 60) or viral-bacterial (n = 60) infection. The comparison group included patients with bacterial AECOPD (n = 60). Viral infection was diagnosed by PCR-RT of sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for RNAs of rhinovirus, RS virus, influenza A and B viruses, or SARS-CoV-2 virus. Bacterial infection was demonstrated by sputum purulence and/or procalcitonin test results and/or standard culture data. During AECOPD, blood cytokines were measured by ELISA. The patients were treated with SITT (investigational treatment) or MITT (comparison treatment) of LAMA/LABA/ICS in real-world clinical practice. The follow-up started 4 weeks after AECOPD regression and discharge from hospital.Results. After 52 weeks of treatment, FEV1 decline was smaller than in the SITT group. Differences from the MITT group were greater in patients with viral AECOPD (–69 (–75; –10) ml vs –75 (–78; –72) ml) or viral-bacterial AECOPD (–67.5 (–69; –37.25) ml vs –75.5 (–84; –70.25) ml). An increase in DLCO/Va, 6-minut walk test (6MWT) results, a decrease in bronchodilation coefficient, blood eosinophils and fibrinogen was seen only in subjects who received SITT and had viralor viral-bacterial AECOPD. A multiple regression model revealed a direct association between blood interleukin-5 and improvement in FEV1 (В = 0.848) and DLCO/Va (B=0.117) and a negative correlation with blood levels of amino-terminal propeptide of type-III procollagen and improvement in DLCO/Va (В = –0.021).Conclusion. SITT with LAMA/LABA/ICS was more effective in preventing FEV1 decline, increasing DLCO, 6MWT results, and decreasing airway inflammation in virus-associated or viral-bacterial AECOPD.

Synergy between interleukin-1β, interferon-γ and glucocorticoids to induce TLR2 expression involves NF-κB, STAT1 and GR.

Glucocorticoids act via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR; NR3C1) to downregulate inflammatory gene expression and are effective treatments for mild-moderate asthma. However, in severe asthma and virus-induced exacerbations, glucocorticoid therapies are less efficacious, possibly due to reduced repressive ability and/or the increased expression of pro-inflammatory genes. In human A549 epithelial and primary human bronchial epithelial cells (pHBECs), toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 mRNA and protein were supra-additively induced by interleukin-1β (IL1B) plus dexamethasone (IL1B+Dex), interferon-γ (IFNG) plus dexamethasone (IFNG+Dex) and IL1B plus IFNG plus dexamethasone (IL1B+IFNG+Dex). Indeed, ~34-2100-fold increases were apparent at 24 h for IL1B+IFNG+Dex and this was greater than for any single or dual treatment. Using the A549 cell model, TLR2 induction by IL1B+IFNG+Dex was antagonized by Org34517, a competitive GR antagonist. Further, when combined with IL1B, IFNG, or IL1B+IFNG, the enhancements by dexamethasone on TLR2 expression required GR. Likewise, inhibitor of κB kinase 2-inhibitors reduced IL1B+IFNG+Dex-induced TLR2 expression, and TLR2 expression induced by IL1B+Dex, with or without IFNG, required the nuclear factor (NF)-κB subunit, p65. Similarly, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 phosphorylation and γ-interferon-activated-sequence-dependent transcription were induced by IFNG. These, along with IL1B+IFNG+Dex-induced TLR2 expression, were inhibited by Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. As IL1B+IFNG+Dex-induced TLR2 expression also required STAT1, this study reveals cooperation between JAK-STAT1, NF-κB, and GR to upregulate TLR2 expression. Since TLR2 agonism elicits inflammatory responses, we propose that synergies involving TLR2 may occur within the cytokine milieu present in the immunopathology of glucocorticoid-resistant disease, and this could promote glucocorticoid resistance. Significance Statement This study highlights that in human pulmonary epithelial cells, glucocorticoids, when combined with the inflammatory cytokines, IL1B and IFNG, can synergistically induce the expression of inflammatory genes, such as TLR2. This effect involved positive combinatorial interactions between NF-κB/p65, GR and JAK-STAT1 signalling to synergistically upregulate TLR2 expression. Thus, synergies involving glucocorticoid-enhancement of TLR2 expression may occur in the immunopathology of glucocorticoid-resistant inflammatory diseases, including severe asthma.

Type-2 CD8+ T-cell formation relies on interleukin-33 and is linked to asthma exacerbations

CD4+ T helper 2 (Th2) cells and group 2 innate lymphoid cells are considered the main producers of type-2 cytokines that fuel chronic airway inflammation in allergic asthma. However, CD8+ cytotoxic T (Tc) cells - critical for anti-viral defense - can also produce type-2 cytokines (referred to as ‘Tc2’ cells). The role of Tc cells in asthma and virus-induced disease exacerbations remains poorly understood, including which micro-environmental signals and cell types promote Tc2 cell formation. Here we show increased circulating Tc2 cell abundance in severe asthma patients, reaching peak levels during exacerbations and likely emerging from canonical IFNγ+ Tc cells through plasticity. Tc2 cell abundance is associated with increased disease burden, higher exacerbations rates and steroid insensitivity. Mouse models of asthma recapitulate the human disease by showing extensive type-2 skewing of lung Tc cells, which is controlled by conventional type-1 dendritic cells and IFNγ. Importantly, we demonstrate that the alarmin interleukin-33 (IL-33) critically promotes type-2 cytokine production by lung Tc cells in experimental allergic airway inflammation. Our data identify Tc cells as major producers of type-2 cytokines in severe asthma and during exacerbations that are remarkably sensitive to alterations in their inflammatory tissue micro-environment, with IL-33 emerging as an important regulator of Tc2 formation.

Acute cigarette smoke exposure leads to higher viral infection in human bronchial epithelial cultures by altering interferon, glycolysis and GDF15-related pathways

BackgroundAcute exacerbations of chronic inflammatory lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are frequently associated with rhinovirus (RV) infections. Despite these associations, the pathogenesis of virus-induced exacerbations is incompletely understood. We aimed to investigate effects of cigarette smoke (CS), a primary risk factor for COPD, on RV infection in airway epithelium and identify novel mechanisms related to these effects.MethodsPrimary bronchial epithelial cells (PBEC) from COPD patients and controls were differentiated by culture at the air–liquid interface (ALI) and exposed to CS and RV-A16. Bulk RNA sequencing was performed using samples collected at 6 and 24 h post infection (hpi), and viral load, mediator and l-lactate levels were measured at 6, 24 and 48hpi. To further delineate the effect of CS on RV-A16 infection, we performed growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) knockdown, l-lactate and interferon pre-treatment in ALI-PBEC. We performed deconvolution analysis to predict changes in the cell composition of ALI-PBEC after the various exposures. Finally, we compared transcriptional responses of ALI-PBEC to those in nasal epithelium after human RV-A16 challenge.ResultsCS exposure impaired antiviral responses at 6hpi and increased viral replication at 24 and 48hpi in ALI-PBEC. At 24hpi, CS exposure enhanced expression of RV-A16-induced epithelial interferons, inflammation-related genes and CXCL8. CS exposure increased expression of oxidative stress-related genes, of GDF15, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. GDF15 knockdown experiments suggested involvement of this pathway in the CS-induced increase in viral replication. Expression of glycolysis-related genes and l-lactate production were increased by CS exposure, and was demonstrated to contribute to higher viral replication. No major differences were demonstrated between COPD and non-COPD-derived cultures. However, cellular deconvolution analysis predicted higher secretory cells in COPD-derived cultures at baseline.ConclusionAltogether, our findings demonstrate that CS exposure leads to higher viral infection in human bronchial epithelium by altering not only interferon responses, but likely also through a switch to glycolysis, and via GDF15-related pathways.

Natural killer cells in the lung: potential role in asthma and virus-induced exacerbation?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disorder whose pathophysiological and immunological mechanisms are not completely understood. Asthma exacerbations are mostly driven by respiratory viral infections and characterised by worsening of symptoms. Despite current therapies, asthma exacerbations can still be life-threatening. Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells well known for their antiviral activity and are present in the lung as circulating and resident cells. However, their functions in asthma and its exacerbations are still unclear. In this review, we will address NK cell activation and functions, which are particularly relevant for asthma and virus-induced asthma exacerbations. Then, the role of NK cells in the lungs at homeostasis in healthy individuals will be described, as well as their functions during pulmonary viral infections, with an emphasis on those associated with asthma exacerbations. Finally, we will discuss the involvement of NK cells in asthma and virus-induced exacerbations and examine the effect of asthma treatments on NK cells.

Air pollution and respiratory health-Do we really need more evidence?

Air pollution and respiratory health-Do we really need more evidence?

Features of the treatment of children with mild asthma in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Our society is still struggling with the spread of the SARS-Cov-2 virus, the cause of the development of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Vaccine prophylaxis of this infection in children under 12 years old is not yet available in Russia. In many children, COVID-19 occurs against the background of concomitant pathology, including bronchial asthma (BA) as the most common chronic disease among children. BA treatment is successfully carried out by pediatricians due to modern clinical guidelines and the availability of medicines. This is one of the examples when the introduction of new methods of diagnosis and treatment made the disease controllable in most cases. Despite the obvious successes, the treatment of asthma is currently undergoing changes, and this applies specifically to mild asthma. When revising the guidelines in 2021–2022, GINA experts drew particular attention to the need for early prescription of anti-inflammatory therapy, mainly with low doses of ICS, regardless of whether asthma progresses with persistent or intermittent symptoms. Since children often suffer from ARVI and viral infections are the most frequent trigger of BA exacerbation in children, basic BA therapy in children is of particular importance, which can reduce the number of virus-induced exacerbations. Along with ICSs, generally recognized leaders in the basic therapy of BA, in the treatment of children with mild asthma with virus-induced exacerbations, montelukast, oral Cysteinyl Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist (LTRA), does not lose its importance. In recent years, additional properties have been described that allow pediatricians to use montelukast for mild asthma in children in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clinical and molecular features of virus-induced acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseas

Introduction. Inflammation in viral-induced acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not studied enough.The aim was to establish molecular pattern of inflammation in viral-induced acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) in comparison with bacterial AECOPD and to reveal associations with AECOPD phenotype and subsequent COPD progression.Materials and methods. Subjects hospitalized with acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) of which 60 were viral, 60 were bacterial and 60 were viral-bacterial were recruited to single center prospective (52 weeks) cohort study. Control group – 30 healthy people. COPD were diagnosed previously during stable phase of the disease according to spirographic criteria. Viral AECOPD were confirmed by detection of RNA of influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Bacterial AECOPD were confirmed by sputum/BALF neutrophilia or elevated blood procalcitonin levels or by detecting bacteria by standard culture method. Plasma concentrations of cytokines, fibrotic markers, enzymes were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, plasma fibrinogen – by Clauss method. Complex lung function investigation, Dopplerechocardiography, subsequent AECOPD assessment were done. Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square test were used to compare groups, Cox regression and linear regression – to explore relationships.Results. Viral AECOPD were characterized by highest plasma concentrations of Eosinophilic cationic protein (62,3 (52,4; 71,0) ng/ml)), interleukin-5 (IL-5) (11,3 (8,4; 15,9) pg/ml), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) (10,4 (6,2; 14,9) pg/ml), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) (922,4 (875,7; 953,8) pg/ml), hyaluronic acid (185,4 (172,8; 196,3) ng/ml), amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) (249,2 (225,1; 263,7) ng/ml), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) (235,2 (208,6; 254,9) pg/ml). Levels of IL-5 during AE COPD was the predictor of FEV1, bronchodilation coefficient, subsequent exacerbations at remote period, fibrinogen was associated with FEV1, PIIINP and FGF-2 with DLco, PaO2, mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), exacerbations, MMP-1 – with mPAP.Conclusions. In virus-induced AECOPD inflammation pattern differed from those in bacterial one and associated with AECOPD phenotype and COPD phenotype at the stable phase.

Cholinergics, Airway Eosinophils and Asthma Exacerbation in the Elderly

Cholinomimetic agents have a number of potential indications in an ageing population. This case series emphasises the need to exercise caution while prescribing cholinergic drugs in elderly patients with asthma, particularly in patients with a history of virus-induced exacerbations and airway eosinophilia.

Virus-induced and bacteria-induced exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by industrial aerosols or tobacco smoke exposure

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are associated with disease progression and increased risk of death. We need to better understand the phenotypes of AECOPD to improve treatment strategies. The main triggers of COPD exacerbations are viral and bacterial infections.The aim is to characterize the viral, bacterial, and viral-bacterial phenotypes of acute exacerbations in patients with COPD caused by industrial aerosol exposure or tobacco smoke.Methods. 180 subjects with established moderate and severe COPD who met the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria, 2020 – 2021, and were hospitalized with AECOPD, were enrolled in this prospective observational study. The virus-induced, bacteria-induced, and virus-bacteria-induced AECOPD strata (n = 60 each) were formed. Each stratum included 30 patients with occupational COPD and 30 patients with COPD caused by tobacco smoke. Virus-induced AECOPDs were diagnosed by PCR of bronchoalveolar fluid. Length of hospital stay, symptoms, lung function, mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), and type of inflammation were assessed. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to examine the relationships.Results. The length of hospital stay was highest in patients with virus-induced and virus-bacteria-induced exacerbations of occupational COPD, being equal to (Me, IQR) 16.5 (14 – 18) and 18 (16 – 20) days. The virus-induced exacerbations in occupational COPD and in COPD caused by tobacco smoke featured the highest bronchodilation coefficient, 10.9 (9.8 – 11,5)% and 9.2 (8.3 – 10.3)%, respectively, decrease in the diffusing capacity of the lungs (DLCO/Va) by 42 (40 – 45)% and 49 (47 – 52)%, increase in mPAP by 44 (39 – 45) и 33 (29 – 38) mmHg, and eosinophilic inflammation with blood eosinophil count of 425 (385 –527) and 350 (310 – 391) cells per μl (р > 0.01). Virus-bacteria-induced AECOPD in occupational COPD and in COPD caused by smoke were characterized by decrease in FEV1 by 40.2 (36.6 – 42.2)% and 31.0 (28.1 – 33.6%), decrease in DLCO/Va by 48 (44 – 50)% and 37 (35 – 41)%, increase in mPA by 43 (38 – 46) and 50 (45 – 54) mmHg, and eosinophilic-neutrophilic inflammation in 63.3 and 66.6% of patients. The mid-range FEV1, highest DLCO/Va, and neutrophilic inflammation were seen in patients with bacteria-induced AECOPD.Conclusion. Exacerbations of occupational COPD are characterized by more severe functional impairment and inflammation with high eosinophil count when these exacerbations have viral origin.

Ebselen abolishes vascular dysfunction in influenza A virus-induced exacerbations of cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation in mice.

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are susceptible to respiratory infections which exacerbate pulmonary and/or cardiovascular complications, increasing their likelihood of death. The mechanisms driving these complications remain unknown but increased oxidative stress has been implicated. Here we investigated whether influenza A virus (IAV) infection, following chronic cigarette smoke (CS) exposure, worsens vascular function and if so, whether the antioxidant ebselen alleviates this vascular dysfunction. Male BALB/c mice were exposed to either room air or CS for 8 weeks followed by inoculation with IAV (Mem71, 1 × 104.5 pfu). Mice were treated with ebselen (10 mg/kg) or vehicle (5% w/v CM-cellulose in water) daily. Mice were culled 3- and 10-days post-infection, and their lungs lavaged to assess inflammation. The thoracic aorta was excised to investigate endothelial and smooth muscle dilator responses, expression of key vasodilatory and oxidative stress modulators, infiltrating immune cells and vascular remodelling. CS increased lung inflammation and caused significant vascular endothelial dysfunction, which was worsened by IAV infection. CS-driven increases in vascular oxidative stress, aortic wall remodelling and suppression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were not affected by IAV infection. CS and IAV infection significantly enhanced T cell recruitment into the aortic wall. Ebselen abolished the exaggerated lung inflammation, vascular dysfunction and increased T cell infiltration in CS and IAV-infected mice. Our findings showed that ebselen treatment abolished vascular dysfunction in IAV-induced exacerbations of CS-induced lung inflammation indicating it may have potential for the treatment of cardiovascular comorbidities seen in acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD).

Influenza A Virus-Driven Airway Inflammation may be Dissociated From Limb Muscle Atrophy in Cigarette Smoke-Exposed Mice.

Limb muscle dysfunction is a hallmark of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) which is further worsened following a viral-induced acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). An amplified airway inflammation underlies the aggravated respiratory symptoms seen during AECOPD, however, its contributory role to limb muscle dysfunction is unclear. The present study examined the impact of influenza A virus (IAV)-induced exacerbation on hind limb muscle parameters. Airway inflammation was established in male BALB/c mice by exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) for 8 weeks. Exacerbation was then induced via inoculation with IAV, and various lung and muscle parameters were assessed on day 3 (peak of airway inflammation) and day 10 (resolution phase) post-infection. IAV infection exacerbated CS-induced airway inflammation as evidenced by further increases in immune cell counts within bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Despite no significant impact on muscle mass, IAV exacerbation worsened the force-generating capacity of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. Protein oxidation and myogenic disruption was observed in the TA following CS exposure, however, IAV exacerbation did not augment these detrimental processes. To further explore the contributory role of airway inflammation on myogenic signaling, cultured myotubes were exposed to conditioned medium (CM) derived from bronchial epithelial cells stimulated with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid and cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Despite an amplified inflammatory response in the lung epithelial cells, the CM derived from these cells did not potentiate myogenic disruption in the C2C12 myotubes. In conclusion, our data suggest that certain parameters of limb muscle dysfunction seen during viral-induced AECOPD may be independent of airway inflammation.

IL-20 Cytokines Are Involved in Epithelial Lesions Associated with Virus-Induced COPD Exacerbation in Mice.

(1) Background: viral infections are a frequent cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations, which are responsible for disease progression and mortality. Previous reports showed that IL-20 cytokines facilitate bacterial lung infection, but their production and their role in COPD and viral infection has not yet been investigated. (2) Methods: C57BL/6 WT and IL-20 Rb KO mice were chronically exposed to air or cigarette smoke (CS) to mimic COPD. Cytokine production, antiviral response, inflammation and tissue damages were analyzed after PVM infection. (3) Results: CS exposure was associated with an increase in viral burden and antiviral response. PVM infection in CS mice enhanced IFN-γ, inflammation and tissue damage compared to Air mice. PVM infection and CS exposure induced, in an additive manner, IL-20 cytokines expression and the deletion of IL-20 Rb subunit decreased the expression of interferon-stimulated genes and the production of IFN-λ2/3, without an impact on PVM replication. Epithelial cell damages and inflammation were also reduced in IL-20 Rb-/- mice, and this was associated with reduced lung permeability and the maintenance of intercellular junctions. (4) Conclusions: PVM infection and CS exposure additively upregulates the IL-20 pathway, leading to the promotion of epithelial damages. Our data in our model of viral exacerbation of COPD identify IL-20 cytokine as a potential therapeutic target.

Effect of Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Severe Asthma Exacerbations in Children With Asthma and Low Vitamin D Levels: The VDKA Randomized Clinical Trial

To investigate if supplementation with vitamin D3 would improve the time to a severe exacerbation in children at high risk with vitamin D insufficiency and taking low-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) for persistent asthma.The participants were recruited from 7 children’s hospitals across the United States. Participants, 6 to 16 years of age, had to have physician-diagnosed asthma for at least 1 year, being treated with low-dose ICSs, and have a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level less than 30 ng/mL. They also had to have at least 1 severe asthma exacerbation in the last year (defined as systemic steroids for at least 3 days or an emergency department visit or hospitalization requiring systemic corticosteroids). All participants had to show bronchodilator responsiveness or airway responsiveness to methacholine inhalation. The mean age of the participants was 9.8 years (40% girls). A total of 219 subjects passed screening and entered run-in. A total of 192 subjects were randomly assigned to active drug or placebo capsules.This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants initially all received placebo capsules and were maintained on inhaled fluticasone propionate, 176 μg per day (6–11 years) or 220 μg per day (12–16 years) during run-in. They continued the ICSs and then were randomly assigned to daily vitamin D3 4000 IU or continuing placebo for 48 weeks. After 24 weeks, participants dose of fluticasone was reduced by 50%, if asthma was well controlled and spirometry was normal. Serum vitamin D levels and parameters of asthma control were measured every 16 weeks. The primary outcome was the time to a severe asthma exacerbation. Secondary outcomes included the time to a viral-induced severe exacerbation, the proportion of participants in whom the dose of ICS was reduced halfway through the trial, and the cumulative fluticasone dose during the trial.A total of 94% of randomly assigned subjects completed the trial. A total of 36 participants (37.5%) in the vitamin D3 group and 33 (34.4%) in the placebo group had ≥1 severe exacerbations. Compared with the placebo, vitamin D3 supplementation did not significantly improve the time to a severe exacerbation. The mean time to exacerbation was 240 days in the vitamin D3 group versus 253 days in the placebo group (mean group difference: −13.1 days; adjusted hazard ratio: 1.13; P = .63). Vitamin D3 supplementation, compared with the placebo, did not significantly improve the time to a viral-induced severe exacerbation, the proportion of participants whose dose of ICSs was reduced, or the cumulative fluticasone dose during the trial. Serious adverse events were similar in both groups (vitamin D3 group: n = 11; placebo group: n = 9).In children 6 to 16 years old with persistent asthma and low vitamin D levels, vitamin D3 supplementation, compared with a placebo, did not significantly improve the time to a severe asthma exacerbation or ICS dosing.As the authors note, in several observational studies, researchers have linked low serum vitamin D levels to severe asthma exacerbations, lower lung function, and reduced response to corticosteroids. Yet meta-analyses and reviews of vitamin D3 supplementation for severe asthma exacerbations have found insufficient evidence to recommend vitamin D3 supplementation in children. In this study, the authors, looking at a high-risk population for asthma exacerbations, add to that negative body of literature.

Effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on severe asthma exacerbations in children with asthma and low vitamin D levels: the VDKA randomized clinical trial

Importance Severe asthma exacerbations cause significant morbidity and costs. Whether vitamin D3supplementation reduces severe childhood asthma exacerbations is unclear. Objective To determine whether vitamin D3supplementation improves the time to a severe exacerbation in children with asthma and low vitamin D levels. Design, Setting, and Participants The Vitamin D to Prevent Severe Asthma Exacerbations (VDKA) Study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of vitamin D3supplementation to improve the time to severe exacerbations in high-risk children with asthma aged 6 to 16 years taking low-dose inhaled corticosteroids and with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels less than 30 ng/mL. Participants were recruited from 7 US centers. Enrollment started in February 2016, with a goal of 400 participants; the trial was terminated early (March 2019) due to futility, and follow-up ended in September 2019. Interventions Participants were randomized to vitamin D3, 4000 IU/d (n = 96), or placebo (n = 96) for 48 weeks and maintained with fluticasone propionate, 176 μg/d (6-11 years old), or 220 μg/d (12-16 years old). Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the time to a severe asthma exacerbation. Secondary outcomes included the time to a viral-induced severe exacerbation, the proportion of participants in whom the dose of inhaled corticosteroid was reduced halfway through the trial, and the cumulative fluticasone dose during the trial. Results Among 192 randomized participants (mean age, 9.8 years; 77 girls [40%]), 180 (93.8%) completed the trial. A total of 36 participants (37.5%) in the vitamin D3group and 33 (34.4%) in the placebo group had 1 or more severe exacerbations. Compared with placebo, vitamin D3supplementation did not significantly improve the time to a severe exacerbation: the mean time to exacerbation was 240 days in the vitamin D3group vs 253 days in the placebo group (mean group difference, −13.1 days [95% CI, −42.6 to 16.4]; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.13 [95% CI, 0.69 to 1.85];P = .63). Vitamin D3supplementation, compared with placebo, likewise did not significantly improve the time to a viral-induced severe exacerbation, the proportion of participants whose dose of inhaled corticosteroid was reduced, or the cumulative fluticasone dose during the trial. Serious adverse events were similar in both groups (vitamin D3group, n = 11; placebo group, n = 9). Conclusions and Relevance Among children with persistent asthma and low vitamin D levels, vitamin D3supplementation, compared with placebo, did not significantly improve the time to a severe asthma exacerbation. The findings do not support the use of vitamin D3supplementation to prevent severe asthma exacerbations in this group of patients. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT02687815

Влияние применения пробиотического препарата, содержащего штамм Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, на уровни HbD-2 и LL-37 в секрете верхних дыхательных путей и респираторную заболеваемость у детей, больных бронхиальной астмой и аллергическим ринитом

Актуальность. На сегодняшний день аллергические заболевания респираторного тракта, в частности бронхиальная астма и аллергический ринит, у детей являются актуальной медико-социальной проблемой, ассоциированной с высоким риском инвалидизации, существенным снижением качества жизни пациентов и их семей, а также значительной финансовой нагрузкой на пациентов и государство. Бронхиальная астма и аллергический ринит часто сосуществуют, обременяя течение друг друга. Дети, больные респираторными аллергическими заболеваниями, являются особенно уязвимыми к развитию острой респираторной вирусной инфекции (ОРВИ), а респираторные вирусы, в свою очередь, играют важную роль в патогенезе бронхиальной астмы и аллергического ринита, способствуя развитию заболеваний и выступая триггерами их обострений. Одной из возможных причин склонности к частым ОРВИ у детей с аллергической патологией дыхательной системы может быть недостаточность неспецифических факторов мукозального иммунитета респираторного тракта — эндогенных катионоактивных амфифильных антимикробных пептидов, в частности кателицидина (LL-37) и человеческих дефензинов. По данным ряда исследований, эти антимикробные пептиды проявляют противовирусное, антимикробное и иммуномодулирующее действие. При этом данных о состоянии продукции антимикробных пептидов и их влиянии на респираторную заболеваемость у детей с аллергическими заболеваниями в современной литературе недостаточно. В то же время в ряде литературных источников описано положительное влияние отдельных пробиотических штаммов, в частности Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, на общую резистентность к респираторной вирусной инфекции и профилактику атопических заболеваний. Целью нашей работы стало изучение уровней антимикробных пептидов (человеческого β-дефензина 2 (HbD-2) и LL-37) в секрете слизистых оболочек верхних дыхательных путей у детей с бронхиальной астмой и аллергическим ринитом, выяснение их роли в защите от респираторной вирусной инфекции у данного контингента больных и оценка эффективности применения пробиотического препарата, содержащего Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, с целью профилактики ОРВИ и снижения частоты вирус-индуцированных обострений аллергической патологии. Материалы и методы. Нами было проведено клинико-лабораторное обследование 76 детей в возрасте от 7 до 17 лет, из которых у 24 был диагностирован аллергический ринит, у 28 детей — бронхиальная астма, а у 24 — бронхиальная астма и аллергический ринит. Группу контроля составили 20 клинически здоровых детей соответствующего возраста и пола. Кроме общепринятых клинических, методы исследования включали анализ паттернов респираторной заболеваемости, определение уровней антимикробных пептидов LL-37, HbD-2 в секрете верхних дыхательных путей методами иммуноферментного и статистического анализа. Результаты. Установлено, что дети с аллергическими заболеваниями респираторного тракта характеризуются большей частотой ОРВИ (на 30 %) с более частым вовлечением в воспалительный процесс нижних дыхательных путей (на 72 %), что обусловливает более длительную продолжительность заболеваний (на 95 %) по сравнению со здоровыми детьми. У детей с аллергическим ринитом и бронхиальной астмой обнаружено существенное снижение уровней антимикробных пептидов в секрете верхних дыхательных путей по сравнению с группой контроля. На уровни антимикробных пептидов в секрете верхних дыхательных путей в наибольшей степени негативно влияет степень активности аллергического воспаления, сопровождающегося отсутствием контроля симптомов, а положительно — прием препаратов базисной терапии и отсутствие симптомов. Вместе с тем даже при наличии полного контроля симптомов аллергических заболеваний, то есть при минимальном уровне аллергического воспаления в дыхательных путях, уровни антимикробных пептидов были достоверно ниже, чем у детей контрольной группы. Установлено, что существует обратная связь между уровнями антимикробных пептидов и частотой и продолжительностью ОРВИ у детей с аллергическими заболеваниями, которая в наибольшей степени выражена при бронхиальной астме. Выводы. Прием пробиотического препарата, содержащего штамм Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, в течение 1 месяца дополнительно к базисной терапии аллергического ринита и бронхиальной астмы способствовал достоверному повышению уровней HbD-2 (в среднем на 27 %) и LL-37 (в среднем на 60 %) в секрете верхних дыхательных путей, что сопровождалось снижением частоты ОРВИ в среднем на 26 % (в том числе и эпизодов с привлечением нижних дыхательных путей), уменьшением средней продолжительности ОРВИ на 22 % в течение следующего года и снижением вирус-индуцированных обострений на 25,7 %.

Management & Caring for Patients of COPD with COVID-19: A Current Perspective

Currently passing pandemic of SARS COVE-2, that started on December 2019 has been taken nearly 2.8 million lives till April 2021, with a highest mortality among males, older individuals and patients with comorbidities. COPD patients are included in shielding strategies due to their susceptibilityto virusinduced exacerbations, compromised pulmonary function and highprevalence of associated comorbidities. Based on our existing knowledge, Experience of last one year &Metaanalysis of different study report, thisreview has taken the initiative to find the answer of few key question : FirstlyIs the Covid19 infection causing AECOPD like any other viralinfection.Secondly, do systemic corticosteroids offer protection againstCOVID-19 with COPD ? And, finally , what is the evidence regarding use ofMDI or nebulization & NIV as standard treatment .This up-to-date review will make scope for some of the key issues whichhave significant impact on the long-term outlook for COPD patients in thecontext of COVID-19.
 Bangladesh J Medicine July 2021; 32(2) : 165-169

Is it always easy for children with mild asthma?

Bronchial asthma is the most common chronic disease of children, the worst way is their quality of life. Compliance in the treatment of children is very important, since the actual effect of a drug is determined by both the effective drugs and patient adherence and correct use. A relevant test is the use of mild asthma, which is able to control bronchial hyperreactivity associated with exercise, cold air, and other nonspecific irritants (smoke, odors, etc.). Planning of baseline therapy for children with mild asthma aged 5 years old and younger is particularly problematic for paediatricians due to high incidences of acute respiratory viral diseases and viral-induced exacerbations of bronchial asthma among them. In these children, allergen-specific immunotherapy, long-acting B-agonists, the use of many metered-dose inhaled glucocorticosteroids. are not recommended.Montelukast, an oral antileukotriene drug, has advantages in the treatment of children with mild asthma with virus-induced exacerbations, with asthma of physical exertion and severe bronchial hyperreactivity, especially when combined with allergic rhinitis, as well as in special clinical cases, when parents refuse to use ICS for treatment children with mild asthma or inability to use them for some reason. The use of montelukast for mild asthma in children in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic also has advantages that pediatricians can use when observing these children in the pediatric area, taking into account contraindications.

The Role of Human Leukocyte Antigen-DR in Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Virus-Induced Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

BackgroundThis study assessed the role of different immune phenotypes of T cells in virus-induced acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).Material/MethodsThe study involved 103 participants, including individuals with virus-induced AECOPD (n=32), non-virus-induced AECOPD (n=31), and stable COPD (n=20) and individuals who were healthy smokers (n=20). The immune phenotypes of T cells in peripheral blood were evaluated via flow cytometry analysis, and the differences were analyzed.ResultsPatients with virus-induced AECOPD (virus group) had a higher COPD assessment test score on admission than those in the group with non-virus-induced AECOPD (nonvirus group; 25.6±3.8 vs 21.9±4.8, P=0.045). A lower CD4+ human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR)+ frequency was found in the peripheral blood of the virus group compared with the nonvirus group (2.2 vs 4.2, P=0.015), and the frequency of CD4+ CD25high CD127low HLA-DR+ in CD4+ in the virus group was lower than in the nonvirus group (1.1 vs 3.6, P=0.011). The CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+ central memory T cell, CD4+ effector memory T cell (Tem), CD4+ end-stage T cell, and CD8+ Tem levels in lymphocytes of peripheral blood were lower in exacerbation groups relative to those in the stable COPD and healthy smoking groups, but similar between exacerbation groups. Similar frequencies and levels of T cells between different stagings of COPD were also identified.ConclusionsThe expression of HLA-DR on the cell surface of CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) was lower in the peripheral blood of patients with virus-induced AECOPD. The expression of HLA-DR in CD4+ Tregs suggested the effect of respiratory viruses on adaptive immunity of patients with AECOPD to some extent.