Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum M\u00fcnchen, member of the DZL, have now reported a previously unknown pathogenic mechanism...<\/p>\n
COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is believed to be the third most common cause of death worldwide. However, because the underlying mechanism is still largely unknown, today\u2019s treatments can only slow progression of the disease. Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum M\u00fcnchen, member of the DZL, have now reported a previously unknown pathogenic mechanism, which they have already been able to prevent in the laboratory. Their findings are reported in \u2018EMBO Molecular Medicine\u2019.<\/p>\n
Cigarette smoking and general environmental pollution pose far and away the greatest risks for COPD and lead to an inflammatory reaction in the airways and lung tissue. As a result, sufferers develop chronic cough, sputum production and shortness of breath. In the long term, lung tissue is destroyed, which makes breathing more difficult.<\/p>\n
In a recent paper, a team led by DZL scientist Dr. Ali \u00d6nder Yildirim shed new light on the inflammatory process. \u201cWe focused on tertiary lymphoid organs* <\/a>in the bronchi,\u201d explains Yildirim, one of the acting directors of the Institute of Lung Biology at Helmholtz Zentrum M\u00fcnchen. Specifically, the researchers studied what is known as inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue, or iBALT for short. \u201cIt is believed that the development of iBALT plays a key role in the deterioration of COPD \u2212 but until now it was unclear exactly how iBALT forms,\u201d says the head of the study.<\/p>\n Therefore, the lung specialists looked for known processes in other lymphoid tissues. In this context, their attention was drawn to the metabolism of oxysterols. Oxysterols are derivatives of cholesterol that play a role in a wide range of biological processes, including the positioning of immune cells in lymphoid tissue.<\/p>\n \u201cWe wanted to find out whether that is also the case around the lungs and specifically in cigarette-smoke-induced COPD,\u201d Yildirim says. In fact, the researchers found elevated levels of enzymes involved in oxysterol metabolism together with immune cells that migrate into the tissue both in the experimental model and in the lungs of COPD patients. Further experiments also showed that iBALT formation is inhibited if the metabolic enzymes are absent. Their absence also prevented the migration of immune cells and damage to the lungs despite exposure to cigarette smoke.<\/p>\n The scientists then attempted to recreate this effect pharmacologically by blocking the oxysterol pathway with an inhibitor (clotrimazole, an approved antimycotic), which they found prevented the immune cell migration following cigarette smoke irritation and therefore iBALT formation in the experimental model. \u201cOur future goal is to transfer the results from the model to humans with a view to intervening in the development of COPD,\u201d Ali \u00d6nder Yildirim says. \u201cThere is still a lot of work to do, however we are very much looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Ali \u00d6nder Yildirim * The lymphatic system, with the lymphatic vessels acting as conduits, is the second most important transport system in the human body next to the circulatory system. It specializes in the transport of nutrients and waste products and also disposes of pathogens, such as bacteria, and foreign bodies in the lymph nodes. Tertiary lymphoid organs develop later in various organs near sites of inflammation. They are, to put it simply, improvised lymph nodes.<\/p>\n Jia, J. & Conlon, TM., [\u2026], Yildrim, A\u00d6 (2018): Cholesterol metabolism promotes B\u2010cell positioning during immune pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.<\/a> EMBO Molecular Medicine, DOI: 10.15252\/emmm.201708349<\/p>\nScientific Contact (DZL site CPC-M, Munich):<\/h4>\n
\nHelmholtz Zentrum M\u00fcnchen - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Comprehensive Pneumology Center
\nMax-Lebsche-Platz 31, 81377 M\u00fcnchen
\nphone: +49 89 3187 4037
\nemail: oender.yildirim@helmholtz-muenchen.de<\/a><\/p>\nFurther information<\/h4>\n
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