Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jarrett D. Morrow, Peter J. Castaldi, Robert P. Chase, Jeong H. Yun, Sool Lee, Yang-Yu Liu, Craig P. Hersh
Summary: The study identified a bacterial microbiome signature in the peripheral blood of current and former smokers for the first time. Understanding the relationships between systemic microbial signatures and lung-related phenotypes may inform novel interventions and aid in understanding the systemic effects of smoking.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Illiassou Hamidou Soumana, Min Hyung Ryu, Fernando Studart Leitao Filho, Julia Yang, Juma Orach, Corey Nislow, Janice M. Leung, Christopher Francis Rider, Christopher Carlsten
Summary: Diesel exhaust (DE) exposure induces significant changes in the metabolic functions of the airway microbiome despite the absence of diversity changes.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deeksha Kaloni, Sarah T. Diepstraten, Andreas Strasser, Gemma L. Kelly
Summary: Acquired resistance to cell death is a key characteristic of cancer. The BCL-2 protein family members have important roles in regulating apoptotic cell death. Abnormal expression of pro-survival BCL-2 family proteins or reduction in pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins, both leading to inhibition of apoptosis, are commonly observed in various types of cancer. The critical role of pro-survival and pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins in apoptosis regulation makes them attractive targets for cancer treatment. This review discusses the roles of different pro-survival and pro-apoptotic members of the BCL-2 protein family in normal development and organismal function, as well as how defects in apoptosis control contribute to cancer development and therapy resistance. Lastly, the development of inhibitors targeting pro-survival BCL-2 proteins, known as BH3-mimetic drugs, as novel agents for cancer therapy is discussed.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel Barriuso, Lucia Alvarez-Frutos, Lucia Gonzalez-Gutierrez, Omar Motino, Guido Kroemer, Roberto Palacios-Ramirez, Laura Senovilla
Summary: The Bcl-2 family of proteins, known for regulating apoptosis, is also involved in cellular senescence. These proteins play a role in determining the entry into senescence and the expression levels are modulated during senescence, promoting cell survival. Manipulation of Bax and Bcl-2 expression affects the appearance and survival of tetraploid cells. Understanding the role of Bcl-2 family proteins in senescence can lead to new therapeutic strategies for targeting cancer cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hector Flores-Romero, Lisa Hohorst, Malina John, Marie-Christine Albert, Louise E. King, Laura Beckmann, Tamas Szabo, Vanessa Hertlein, Xu Luo, Andreas Villunger, Lukas P. Frenzel, Hamid Kashkar, Ana J. Garcia-Saez
Summary: This study reveals a previously unrecognized activity of tBID in mediating mitochondrial permeabilization independently of BAX and BAK, which has physiological relevance in immune response and cancer therapy. This novel function of tBID is dependent on a specific helix structure and can be blocked by anti-apoptotic proteins, providing potential implications for therapeutic intervention in bacterial infections and cancer treatment.
Article
Respiratory System
Peter Alter, Cosmina Stoleriu, Kathrin Kahnert, Markus Oliver Henke, Robert Bals, Franziska C. Trudzinski, Henrik Watz, Tim Speicher, Sandra Soehler, Tobias Welte, Klaus F. Rabe, Emiel F. M. Wouters, Claus F. Vogelmeier, Rudolf A. Joerres
Summary: This study based on the COSYCONET COPD cohort found that many patients with COPD continue smoking. Smokers were younger, had a longer duration of smoking but fewer pack-years, a lower frequency of asthma, and different lung function compared to ex-smokers. Lung hyperinflation was associated with being or becoming ex-smoker, possibly motivating patients to quit smoking independently of airway obstruction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Frank Li, Jiwoong Choi, Chunrui Zou, John D. Newell, Alejandro P. Comellas, Chang Hyun Lee, Hongseok Ko, R. Graham Barr, Eugene R. Bleecker, Christopher B. Cooper, Fereidoun Abtin, Igor Barjaktarevic, David Couper, MeiLan Han, Nadia N. Hansel, Richard E. Kanner, Robert Paine, Ella A. Kazerooni, Fernando J. Martinez, Wanda O'Neal, Stephen I. Rennard, Benjamin M. Smith, Prescott G. Woodruff, Eric A. Hoffman, Ching-Long Lin
Summary: This study utilized a deep learning network combined with factor analysis to analyze lung tissue patterns in COPD patients, discovering new latent factors that can predict pulmonary function. The findings suggest that factor-based surrogate markers may aid in discerning different disease severity stages among COPD patients.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sudjit Luanpitpong, Montira Janan, Juthamas Yosudjai, Jirarat Poohadsuan, Pithi Chanvorachote, Surapol Issaragrisil
Summary: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma with poor prognosis due to drug resistance. Overexpression of antiapoptotic Bcl-xL and depletion of proapoptotic Bax contribute to acquired resistance to bortezomib (BTZ) in MCL cells. High Bcl-xL and low Bax levels are associated with poor prognosis in MCL patients. Targeting these proteins using BH3 mimetics and Bax activators may be a promising strategy to overcome drug resistance in MCL.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Haolan Wang, Ming Guo, Hudie Wei, Yongheng Chen
Summary: The apoptotic pathway is regulated by protein-protein interactions within the Bcl-2 family. The BH3 peptide derived from the BH3-only protein Bmf binds with high affinity to pro-survival proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, but has a lower affinity for Mcl-1. The study provides structural insights into the specificity and interaction mechanism of Bmf BH3 binding to pro-survival Bcl-2 family proteins.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Biology
N. V. Pervushin, G. S. Kopeina, B. Zhivotovsky
Summary: This mini-review elucidates the functions of Bcl-B in normal conditions and various pathologies, including its regulation of programmed cell death, its oncogene/oncosuppressor activity in tumorigenesis, its impact on drug-acquired resistance, and possible approaches to inhibit Bcl-B.
Article
Immunology
Mitra Gultom, Matthias Licheri, Laura Laloli, Manon Wider, Marina Strassle, Philip V'kovski, Silvio Steiner, Annika Kratzel, Tran Thi Nhu Thao, Lukas Probst, Hanspeter Stalder, Jasmine Portmann, Melle Holwerda, Nadine Ebert, Nadine Stokar-Regenscheit, Corinne Gurtner, Patrik Zanolari, Horst Posthaus, Simone Schuller, Amanda Vicente-Santos, Andres Moreira-Soto, Eugenia Corrales-Aguilar, Nicolas Ruggli, Gergely Tekes, Veronika von Messling, Bevan Sawatsky, Volker Thiel, Ronald Dijkman
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 efficiently replicated in monkey and cat airway epithelial cell cultures, raising concerns about their potential role as reservoirs for the virus and highlighting the need for close surveillance.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Respiratory System
Ana M. Rodriguez-Pineiro, Florian Jaudas, Nikolai Klymiuk, Andrea Baehr, Gunnar C. Hansson, Anna Ermund
Summary: Proteins in the airway surface liquid and mucus fraction separate into distinct clusters, with increased levels of MUC5AC and MUC5B after carbachol stimulation. In newborn CF piglets, an additional cluster containing acute phase proteins suggests early inflammatory response or altered lung development. Treatment for CF airway disease should start immediately after diagnosis.
RESPIRATORY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Arnab Sarkar, Abhik Paul, Tanmoy Banerjee, Avik Maji, Sanjukta Saha, Anupam Bishayee, Tapan Kumar Maity
Summary: Cancer is a highly lethal and disruptive disease with a rising global death rate. Understanding the role of apoptosis in cancer and targeting BCL-2 family proteins is crucial for developing and managing this disorder. This review discusses the use of various epigenetic regulators, including miRNAs and lncRNAs, to target BCL-2 family proteins. Additionally, the study highlights the advancements in natural and synthetic molecules to understand and treat neoplastic diseases through transcriptional alterations and the development of inhibitors and activators of apoptotic proteins.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jordan L. Morris, Germain Gillet, Julien Prudent, Nikolay Popgeorgiev
Summary: Bcl-2 family proteins are not only important regulators of apoptosis, but are also emerging as regulators of intracellular calcium concentrations. They interact with major calcium transporters at mitochondria-ER contact points, controlling mitochondrial calcium balance and impacting cell survival and migration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Qineng Gong, Haojie Wang, Mi Zhou, Lu Zhou, Renxiao Wang, Yan Li
Summary: The B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) family of proteins plays a crucial role in regulating apoptosis, and the development of drugs targeting these proteins has emerged as an important area in cancer therapy. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in the discovery and optimization of inhibitors and activators of BCL-2 family proteins, but there are still challenges to be overcome.
MEDICINAL RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yohannes A. Mebratu, Yohannes Tesfaigzi
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Peter G. Miller, Dandi Qiao, Joselyn Rojas-Quintero, Michael C. Honigberg, Adam S. Sperling, Christopher J. Gibson, Alexander G. Bick, Abhishek Niroula, Marie E. McConkey, Brittany Sandoval, Brian C. Miller, Weiwei Shi, Kaushik Viswanathan, Matthew Leventhal, Lillian Werner, Matthew Moll, Brian E. Cade, R. Graham Barr, Adolfo Correa, L. Adrienne Cupples, Sina A. Gharib, Deepti Jain, Stephanie M. Gogarten, Leslie A. Lange, Stephanie J. London, Ani Manichaikul, George T. O'Connor, Elizabeth C. Oelsner, Susan Redline, Stephen S. Rich, Jerome I. Rotter, Vasan Ramachandran, Bing Yu, Lynette Sholl, Donna Neuberg, Siddhartha Jaiswal, Bruce D. Levy, Caroline A. Owen, Pradeep Natarajan, Edwin K. Silverman, Peter van Galen, Yohannes Tesfaigzi, Michael H. Cho, Benjamin L. Ebert
Summary: Somatic mutations in blood cells are associated with the development and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), independent of age and smoking.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Catherine John, Anna L. Guyatt, Nick Shrine, Richard Packer, Thorunn A. Olafsdottir, Jiangyuan Liu, Lystra P. Hayden, Su H. Chu, Jukka T. Koskela, Jian'an Luan, Xingnan Li, Natalie Terzikhan, Hanfei Xu, Traci M. Bartz, Hans Petersen, Shuguang Leng, Steven A. Belinsky, Aivaras Cepelis, Ana I. Hernandez Cordero, Ma'en Obeidat, Gudmar Thorleifsson, Deborah A. Meyers, Eugene R. Bleecker, Lori C. Sakoda, Carlos Iribarren, Yohannes Tesfaigzi, Sina A. Gharib, Josee Dupuis, Guy Brusselle, Lies Lahousse, Victor E. Ortega, Ingileif Jonsdottir, Don D. Sin, Yohan Bosse, Maarten van den Berge, David Nickle, Jennifer K. Quint, Ian Sayers, Ian P. Hall, Claudia Langenberg, Samuli Ripatti, Tarja Laitinen, Ann C. Wu, Jessica Lasky-Su, Per Bakke, Amund Gulsvik, Craig P. Hersh, Caroline Hayward, Arnulf Langhammer, Ben Brumpton, Kari Stefansson, Michael H. Cho, Louise Wain, Martin D. Tobin
Summary: This study identified genetic variants associated with asthma-COPD overlap and discovered shared genetic influences that may predispose individuals to type 2 inflammation and serious long-term consequences of asthma.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Charles R. Esther, Wanda K. O'Neal, Wayne H. Anderson, Mehmet Kesimer, Agathe Ceppe, Claire M. Doerschuk, Neil E. Alexis, Annette T. Hastie, R. Graham Barr, Russell P. Bowler, J. Michael Wells, Elizabeth C. Oelsner, Alejandro P. Comellas, Yohannes Tesfaigzi, Victor Kim, Laura M. Paulin, Christopher B. Cooper, MeiLan K. Han, Yvonne J. Huang, Wassim W. Labaki, Jeffrey L. Curtis, Richard C. Boucher
Summary: This study identified altered physiologic pathways associated with COPD airway pathophysiologic features through the analysis of sputum samples. Several biomarkers were found to be correlated with disease severity and predicted exacerbations in COPD patients.
Article
Respiratory System
Akshay Sood, Hans Petersen, Congjian Liu, Orrin Myers, Xin Wang Shore, Bobbi A. Gore, Rodrigo Vazquez-Guillamet, Linda S. Cook, Paula Meek, Yohannes Tesfaigzi
Summary: Racial and ethnic disparities in COPD are not well-studied. This study found that all minority groups had a lower prevalence of airflow obstruction but a higher level of self-reported dyspnea compared to non-Hispanic Whites.
COPD-JOURNAL OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dereje Tassew, Susan Fort, Yohannes Mebratu, Jacob McDonald, Hong Wei Chu, Hans Petersen, Yohannes Tesfaigzi
Summary: Exposure to wood smoke (WS) increases mucin expression more efficiently than exposure to cigarette smoke (CS), especially in a p53 pathway-dependent manner. The WS constituent oxalate can enhance mucin expression, particularly in individuals with a p53 arginine genotype, revealing potential mechanisms for increased risk of chronic bronchitis. Identifying responsible compounds and genetic variations could help estimate pollutant-related risks and improve lung disease management strategies.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Yohannes A. Mebratu, Jewel Imani, Jane T. Jones, Yohannes Tesfaigzi
Summary: The study shows that Bik can reduce epithelial and mucous cell hyperplasia in the airways by inducing apoptosis in a cell cycle-specific manner, but more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dilpreet Singh, Dereje Damte Tassew, Jordan Nelson, Marie-Cecile G. Chalbot, Ilias G. Kavouras, Yohannes Tesfaigzi, Philip Demokritou
Summary: The physicochemical and biological properties of particulate matter emitted during wood burning were investigated. Different wood types and combustion conditions were found to have significant effects on the emissions. The particulate matter from flaming combustion stimulated gene expression associated with mucus production in pulmonary diseases, while smoldering and incomplete combustion did not show any biological activity. Further research is needed to identify the specific compounds responsible for these biological responses.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Joselyn Rojas-Quintero, Maria Eugenia Laucho-Contreras, Xiaoyun Wang, Quynh-Anh Fucci, Patrick R. . Burkett, Se-Jin Kim, Duo Zhang, Yohannes Tesfaigzi, Yuhong Li, Abhiram R. . Bhashyam, Li Zhang, Haider Khamas, Bartolome Celli, Aprile L. . Pilon, Francesca Polverino, Caroline A. Owen
Summary: Low Club Cell 16 kDa protein (CC16) plasma levels are associated with accelerated lung function decline in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. CS-exposed Cc16-/- mice exhibit exaggerated COPD-like disease with increased NF-KB activation in their lungs. RhCC16 treatment limits COPD progression in CS-exposed Cc16-/- mice by reducing pulmonary inflammation, alveolar septal cell apoptosis, and NF-KB activation, as well as rescuing reduced Foxj1 expression. It represents a potentially novel therapeutic approach for COPD.
Review
Cell Biology
Yohannes A. Mebratu, Sourabh Soni, Lorena Rosas, Mauricio Rojas, Jeffrey C. Horowitz, Richard Nho
Summary: IPF is a fatal lung disease primarily found in the elderly population, and aging is the major risk factor. Age-related changes in ECM and accumulation of senescent cells with SASP factors contribute to lung fibrosis. The understanding of how aging affects ECM dynamics, turnover, and the development of lung fibrosis is crucial in the context of increasing life expectancy worldwide.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yohannes Tesfaigzi, Jeffrey L. Curtis, Irina Petrache, Francesca Polverino, Farrah Kheradmand, Ian M. Adcock, Stephen I. Rennard
Summary: The onset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is heterogeneous, and current approaches to define distinct disease phenotypes are lacking. This perspective discusses the role of different cell types in COPD pathogenesis and the application of new technologies in understanding the pathophysiology and clinical heterogeneity of COPD.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Miguel J. Divo, Congjian Liu, Francesca Polverino, Peter J. Castaldi, Bartolome R. Celli, Yohannes Tesfaigzi
Summary: A predictive model consisting of FEV1/FVC, smoking history, BMI, and symptoms of chronic bronchitis can help identify middle-aged smokers at high risk of developing chronic airflow limitation.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Shuguang Leng, Maria A. Picchi, Paula M. Meek, Menghui Jiang, Samuel H. Bayliss, Ting Zhai, Ruslan Bayliyev, Yohannes Tesfaigzi, Matthew J. Campen, Huining Kang, Yiliang Zhu, Qing Lan, Akshay Sood, Steven A. Belinsky
Summary: This study investigated the impact of wood smoke (WS) exposure on lung health and mortality in adults over the age of 40 who were ever smokers. The findings suggest that WS exposure accelerates decline in lung function, increases the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer (LC), and shortens lifespan. WS exposure also worsens overall health and quality of life.
RESPIRATORY RESEARCH
(2022)