Scientists have long thought of the fluid-filled sac around our lungs merely as a cushion from external damage.
Tag: Lung Disease
Urban Pollution Changes Properties of Lung Cells, Causes Fibrosis
Article title: Complex urban atmosphere alters alveolar stem cells niche properties and drives lung fibrosis Authors: Randa Belgacemi, Bruno Ribeiro Baptista, Grégoire Justeau, Marylène Toigo, Andrew Frauenpreis, Rojda Yilmaz, Audrey Der Vartanian, Mathieu Cazaunau, Edouard Pangui, Antonin Bergé, Aline Gratien,…
Changing Dosing Methods Means Fewer Mice Needed to Study Lung Infections
Researchers will need fewer mice to study lung infections thanks to improvements in dosing methods, according to a new study from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF).
UC San Diego Health Ranks No. 1 in San Diego, Makes National Honor Roll
U.S. News & World Report ranks 10 medical and surgical specialties at UC San Diego Health among the nation’s best.
International Lung Health Organizations Join to Raise Awareness for Bronchiectasis
In support of the second annual World Bronchiectasis Day, July 1, the Forum of International Respiratory Societies, of which the American Thoracic Society is a founding member, is joining the COPD Foundation and several global organizations to raise global awareness, share knowledge, and discuss ways to reduce the burden of bronchiectasis for patients and their families worldwide.
Researchers Find Age-related Differences in Lung Extracellular Matrix
Article title: Age-associated differences in the human lung extracellular matrix Authors: Maunick Lefin Koloko Ngassie, Maaike de Vries, Theo Borghuis, Wim Timens, Don D. Sin, David Nickle, Philippe Joubert, Peter Horvatovich, György Marko-Varga, Jacob J. Teske, Judith M. Vonk, Reinoud…
UCI-led study reveals how lung cells protect themselves against RNA viral infection
A new University of California, Irvine-led study uncovers how a protein, APOBEC3B, could protects cells against many different types of RNA viruses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), SARS-CoV2, influenza virus, poliovirus and measles, helping to prevent disease. The study was published in Nature Communications.
Tobacco and e-cigs may put healthy young people at risk of severe COVID illness, new UCLA research suggests
Smoking tobacco and vaping electronic cigarettes may increase healthy young people’s risk for developing severe COVID illness.
Omics and AI May Help Predict Lung Disease Risk in Premature Babies
Article title: Development of a peripheral blood transcriptomic gene signature to predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia Authors: Alvaro Moreira, Miriam Tovar, Alisha M. Smith, Grace C. Lee, Justin A. Meunier, Zoya Cheema, Axel Moreira, Caitlyn Winter, Shamimunisa B. Mustafa, Steven Seidner, Tina…
Improving Adult Immunization Rates the Focus of Partnership Between ATS and Three Health Systems Across the U.S.
NEW YORK, NY – Jan. 17, 2023 – The American Thoracic Society is starting the new year poised to improve vaccination rates with three health system partners: University of Arizona/ Banner Health; West Virginia University Hospitals, Inc.; and San Francisco Health Network/ University of California.
LJI researchers find missing piece of the asthma puzzle
“This is a very striking and significant result that essentially separates LIGHT from any of the other inflammatory cytokines that have been implicated in the process in severe asthmatics.”
E-cigarette Use during Pregnancy Creates Lung Dysfunction in Babies
Babies born to mothers who vape during pregnancy are at greater risk of developing pulmonary dysfunction, according to a new mouse study from The Ohio State University.
Researchers ID Role of Enzyme as Regulator of Inflammation in Lung Disease
Article title: Pim-1 kinase is a positive feedback regulator of the senescent lung fibroblast inflammatory secretome Authors: Ashley Y. Gao, Ana M. Diaz Espinosa, Fiorenza Gianì, Tho X. Pham, Chase M. Carver, Aja Aravamudhan, Colleen M. Bartman, Giovanni Ligresti, Nunzia…
Ochsner Health pulmonologist available to discuss lung screening for Healthy Lung Month
All organs are vital to sustaining life, and all require oxygen to properly function. This is what makes our lungs important and why maintaining healthy lungs is critical. Sometimes that’s as easy as not smoking, avoiding pollutants, and exercising. Other…
Reduced Expression of Extracellular Matrix Protein May Ease Markers of Sclerosis-associated Lung Disease
Article title: Fibronectin-EDA accumulates via reduced ubiquitination downstream of toll-like receptor 9 activation in SSc-ILD fibroblasts Authors: Ferhan Tuncer, Melissa Bulik, John Villandre, Travis Lear, Yanwen Chen, Beyza Tuncer, Daniel J. Kass, Eleanor Valenzi, Christina Morse, John Sembrat II, Robert…
Inspiratory Capacity Important Marker for Disease Outcomes in COPD
Article title: Physiological predictors of morbidity and mortality in COPD: the relative importance of reduced inspiratory capacity and inspiratory muscle strength Authors: Devin B. Phillips, Matthew D. James, Conor D. O’Donnell, Sandra G. Vincent, Katherine A. Webb, Juan P. de-Torres,…
Prompt Recognition and Treatment Found Effective for Lung Disease in Patients Who Received New Drug for Advanced Cancer
Lung disease caused by a new drug for cancers—including metastatic or advanced breast cancer—can be effectively treated using approaches that focus on early detection and prompt management, according to a study published in ESMO Open on August 11, 2022.
Post-COVID Lung Disease Shares Origins with Other Scarring Lung Disorders
UC San Diego researchers provide first insights into the fundamental cellular pathologies that drive interstitial lung disease in patients post-COVID.
On Inaugural World Bronchiectasis Day, International Lung Health Organizations Raise Awareness
In support of the first World Bronchiectasis Day, July 1, the Forum of International Respiratory Societies – of which the American Thoracic Society is a founding member – is joining the COPD Foundation and several global organizations in raising awareness and sharing information about this lesser-known lung disease.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Research Explores Quality and Access to Patient Care
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation announced research results from four studies examining access to care and outcomes for patients living with pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease.
Extracellular Vesicles in Lung Fluid May Point to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Severity
Article title: CD14-positive extracellular vesicles in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as a new biomarker of acute respiratory distress syndrome Authors: Rahul Y. Mahida, Joshua Price, Sebastian T. Lugg, Hui Li, Dhruv Parekh, Aaron Scott, Paul Harrison, Michael A. Matthay, David R.…
Study Finds Systemic Autoimmune Disease Patients Fare Well After Transplants, Making Surgery a Viable Treatment Option for End-Stage Lung Disease
New research presented this week at ACR Convergence, the American College of Rheumatology’s annual meeting, shows that people with systemic autoimmune diseases do as well after lung or heart-lung transplants as those without any systemic causes of end-stage lung disease.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation To Launch National Walk Day
The nationwide pulmonary fibrosis (PF) community will take a collective step forward to advance research, advocacy, and awareness in the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation’s (PFF) National Walk Day on Saturday, Sept. 25, during Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month.
Focus on “Growing Stronger” for Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month in September
September is Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, presented by the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) as a way to drive awareness of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a debilitating, incurable lung disease. Learn more about the numerous endeavors intended to rejuvenate the fight against PF throughout September.
Potential biomarker found for lung disease in scleroderma patients
Researchers have discovered a protein that may predict disease severity for scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease, the leading cause of death for patients with the rare autoimmune condition. Higher circulating levels of the CTRP9 were associated with more severe lung disease, while low levels were associated with preserved function.
Reduced Expression of Dual Oxidase 1 Enzyme May Contribute to Age-related Emphysema
Article title: Downregulation of DUOX1 function contributes to aging-related impairment of innate airway injury responses and accelerated senile emphysema Authors: Caspar Schiffers, Lennart K.A. Lundblad, Milena Hristova, Aida Habibovic, Christopher M. Dustin, Nirav Daphtary, Minara Aliyeva, David J. Seward, Yvonne M.…
Cystic fibrosis: towards better treatment and stronger lungs
In their lab, CRCHUM scientists Emmanuelle Brochiero and Damien Adam are studying ways of better predicting the efficacy of medications and helping injured lungs repair and regenerate.
Mouse Study Suggests Androgens and Their Receptors Play Important and Positive Role in Asthma
Article title: Androgen receptor activation alleviates airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation and remodeling in a murine model of asthma Authors: Rama Satyanarayana Raju Kalidhindi, Nilesh Sudhakar Ambhore, Premanand Balraj, Taylor Schmidt, M. Nadeem Khan, Venkatachalem Sathish From the authors: “Overall, our findings from…
Blocking Cell Death Protein Reduces COPD-associated Inflammation, Lung Damage
Article title: Blockade of PD-1 decreases neutrophilic inflammation and lung damage in experimental COPD Authors Felix Ritzmann, Kai Borchardt, Giovanna Vella, Praneeth Chitirala, Adrian Angenendt, Christian Herr, Michael D. Menger, Markus Hoth, Annette Lis, Rainer M Bohle, Robert Bals, Christoph…
Repurposing Tocilizumab in Scleroderma Patients May Prevent Early Lung Disease
A phase 3 clinical trial finds an anti-inflammatory drug used in rheumatoid arthritis can preserve lung function in patients with systemic sclerosis.
Study Illuminates the Molecular Details of Lung Development
Findings should empower the search for better treatments for lung diseases
Targeting mechanosensitive protein could treat pulmonary fibrosis, study suggests
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have identified a new molecular target that could potentially treat the deadly, aging-related lung disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The study, which will be published March 10 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM), suggests that targeting a protein called MDM4 could prevent respiratory failure by initiating a genetic program that removes scar tissue from the lungs.
Immune cell implicated in development of lung disease following viral infection
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have implicated a type of immune cell in the development of chronic lung disease that sometimes is triggered following a respiratory viral infection. The evidence suggests that activation of this immune cell serves as an early switch that, when activated, drives progressive lung diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Learn the Symptoms of Pulmonary Fibrosis this Rare Disease Day
To mark Rare Disease Day on February 28, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) aims to increase public understanding of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) to drive home the importance of early diagnosis to help improve the quality of life for patients.
Harmful Effects of E-cigarettes Long Known, But Researchers Want to Uncover More
Rockville, Md. (February 11, 2021)—The popularity of e-cigarettes continues to grow, especially among children and young adults. Some researchers have even suggested the devices are safer than traditional cigarettes. But a new research article published in the American Physiological Society’s…
Chocolate-flavored E-cigarettes Are Most Harmful to Your Airways
New research shows chocolate-flavored e-cigarettes are “particularly harmful” to the lungs.
Study connects diabetes, air pollution to interstitial lung disease
A new study published in the Environmental Health Perspectives connects insulin resistance and repetitive ozone exposure to the development of interstitial lung disease.
University of Miami Health System and 4DMedical Launch Research Program Advancing Breakthrough Lung Technology
UHealth – the University of Miami Health System, the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, and 4DMedical recently announced the creation of the Functional Lung Imaging Research Program in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at the Miller School.
Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles from Poultry Farm Dust Causes Lung Inflammation in Mice
Article title: Bacterial extracellular vesicles isolated from organic dust induce neutrophilic inflammation in the lung Authors: Velmurugan Meganathan, Regina Moyana, Kartiga Natarajan, Weshely Kujur, Shilpa Kusampudi, Sachin Mulik, Vijay Boggaram From the authors: “In summary, our studies have found that…
Patients Hospitalized with Severe Cases of Flu Do Better Than Those With COVID-19
A new study published online in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society reveals how patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 fared, compared to those hospitalized with severe seasonal influenza. The study is believed to be the first in the U.S. to directly compare clinical features, laboratory results and health outcomes between patients with the two diseases.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Launches Campaign To Raise PF Awareness And Early Diagnosis
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation today announced the “Pinpoint PF” education and awareness campaign aimed at individuals with symptoms and at a higher risk for pulmonary fibrosis (PF).
Sodium-potassium-chloride Cotransporter Abnormalities Found to Cause Multiorgan Dysfunction
New research published in the journal Function identifies NKCC1, the protein responsible for moving sodium, potassium and chloride into cells, to be a cause of disease and dysfunction throughout the body. NKCC1 is encoded by the gene SLC12A2. Human and…
Aging Limits Lung Cells’ Ability to Regenerate after Injury
A new study in mice explores the effect of aging on the regenerative properties of lung cells after lung injury. The study is published in the American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology. It was chosen as an APSselect article for November.
Healthy Lung Month: Know these pulmonary fibrosis risk factors
October is Healthy Lung Month, an apt time to educate the public about the importance of protecting our lungs against mold, airborne pollutants and smoking – which put hundreds of thousands of Americans at higher risk for pulmonary fibrosis (PF).
‘Heat-not-burn’ Alternative to E-cigarettes May Harm Heart
A new review suggests “heat-not-burn” tobacco devices may threaten cardiovascular health. The review is published ahead of print in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology.
New Research Bolsters Link between Prenatal Smoking and Impaired Lung Development
Babies born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy are more likely to suffer from impaired lung development. They are also more susceptible to developing lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Researchers Identify “Druggable” Signaling Pathway that Stimulates Lung Tissue Repair
Researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have identified a cellular pathway that can be targeted with a naturally occurring drug to stimulate lung tissue regeneration, which is necessary for recovery from multiple lung injuries. The findings, which were published today in Nature Cell Biology, could lead to better therapies for patients with lung disease, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month Highlights Realities of Rare Disease
September’s Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month shares crucial realities and insights about the rare disease, its symptoms and helpful resources provided by the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation to educate the public about this devastating disease which impacts over 200,000 Americans.
American Thoracic Society/CSL Behring Research Award in ARDS Announced
The ATS Research Program is pleased to announce the new ATS/CSL Behring Research Award in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome or ARDS. The award will provide $50,000 in funding for one year.
New Clinical Practice Guidelines on Non-Invasive Ventilation in Chronic Stable Hypercapnic COPD;
A subcommittee of the American Thoracic Society Assembly in Sleep and Respiratory Neurobiology has released new clinical practice guidelines to help advise clinicians on the optimal management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic hypercapnia. Hypercapnia is the buildup of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream.