LUNG

2025 American Cough Conference : Oral Abstracts
Refractory Chronic Cough is all in Your Head?
Mazzone SB
Prevalence of Laryngeal Abnormal Sensation in a Hospital Worker Population and its Association with Cough Hypersensitivity
Amakusa Y, Kanemitsu Y, Sakakibara I, Ma Z, Suzuki T, Ito K, Mori Y, Fukumitsu K, Fukuda S, Uemura T, Tajiri T, Ohkubo H, Niimi A and Oguri T
Cough hypersensitivity is characterized by exaggerated cough responses to mild stimuli, which is frequently associated with laryngeal abnormal sensation (LAS). However, the clinical characteristics of LAS and its prevalence in a non-clinical working population remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and prevalence of LAS.
Fibrinogen Gamma Chain Mediates Airway Inflammation and Remodeling Through the Focal Adhesion and TGF-β/Smad2 Pathways in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Weng J, Zhang H, Chang Q, Feng Y, Xie M, Li C, Liu Q, Wang X, Li M, Chen Y, Ling C, Wang K, Yang X and Li F
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation and remodeling. Fibrinogen gamma chain (FGG) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple inflammatory and fibrotic conditions. However, the role and mechanisms of FGG in COPD remain unclear.
Synergistic Interactions Between the Quinolone-Derived Compound HT61 and Tobramycin Against a Range of Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa In Vitro
Ramsden B, Kelis AV, Faure ME, Page CP and Amison RT
Antimicrobial-resistant pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) represent a significant challenge to patients with respiratory diseases including Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where treatment of such infections is exacerbated by a shortage of new and effective antibiotic classes. One novel approach utilises 'antibiotic enhancers' that potentiate the antimicrobial activity of existing antibiotics. HT61, a small quinolone-derived compound, potentiates the activity of the aminoglycosides tobramycin and gentamicin against Staphylococcus aureus and P. aeruginosa. In this study, we have investigated synergism between tobramycin and HT61 using a panel of tobramycin-sensitive and -resistant clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa from CF patients.
COPD Patients on Inhaled Corticosteroids Managed in Primary Care: Proportion of Patients Potentially Eligible for Biologic Therapy
Bjaldby AA, Hansen ESH and Ulrik CS
Association of Serum Biomarkers with Outcomes and Treatment Success of Inhaled Hyaluronan in COVID19
Der JS, Pedone C, Galdi F, McGee CA, Incalzi RA and Garantziotis S
Viral pneumonia causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, there is limited ability to predict outcomes and treatment responses. We analyzed data from a recently published placebo-controlled trial of inhaled high molecular weight hyaluronan (HMWHA) in 146 patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, to determine whether admission cytokines and demographic information is associated with disease outcomes and response to HMWHA treatment. We found that serum levels of CXCL10 are strongly associated with both endpoints. Our data thus identify CXCL10 as a possible predictor of viral pneumonia outcome and response to anti-inflammatory treatment.
Fatty Acids Dysregulation Correlates with Lung Function in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Scialò F, Pagliaro R, Gelzo M, Matera MG, D'Agnano V, Zamparelli SS, Castaldo G, Cazzola M, Bianco A and Perrotta F
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease with a poor survival rate and undefined molecular mechanisms. The identification of reliable biomarkers to help early diagnosis and predict disease progression is crucial for improving patient life. Although many biomarkers have been proposed, there is no consensus on reliable markers for IPF. Alterations in fatty acid (FA) metabolism have drawn increasing attention in the IPF pathogenesis.
Alteration of the Secretome in Airway Epithelial Cells by Air Pollutants: Evidence from an Air-Liquid Interface Model
Lu H, Xiang J, Zhou X, Lin M, Huang C, Yi F, Chen Z and Lai K
While the structural damage to the airway epithelium from ozone (O₃) or diesel exhaust particles (DEP) is known, the common regulatory mechanisms activated during mixed exposures, which mirror real-world scenarios, remain poorly understood. This study aimed to identify shared molecular pathways initiated by exposure to O₃ and DEP using an in vitro air-liquid interface (ALI) model to understand the initial cellular responses.
The Healthcare Resource Utilization of Patients with Refractory Chronic Cough Compared to Those with Non-Refractory Chronic Cough
Guilleminault L, Dupin C, Portel L, Zysman M, Flament T, Roux P, Costa N and Mounié M
Refractory chronic cough (RCC) significantly impairs patient quality of life and poses a major challenge in clinical management. However, little is known about the healthcare resource utilization (HRU) of patients with RCC.
Age-Dependent Risk of Bronchial Asthma Exacerbation in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Co-infection
Arimura K, Kan-O K, Sato Y, Kikuchi K, Miura H, Sato A, Kondo M and Tagaya E
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) are common viral etiologies of respiratory infections. Although co-infection with other respiratory pathogens is frequently observed, its clinical significance remains unclear.
Emerging Therapeutics in COPD: Mapping Innovation to Treatable Traits
Cazzola M, McDonald VM, Stolz D, Rogliani P and Matera MG
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a complex, heterogeneous condition characterized by diverse clinical phenotypes and underlying pathobiological mechanisms. Traditional "one-size-fits-all" management strategies have limited effectiveness in addressing this heterogeneity. The Treatable Traits (TTs) approach represents a precision medicine paradigm that targets specific, identifiable, and modifiable traits in individual patients, regardless of diagnostic labels. This paper explores the alignment between the TTs framework and emerging pharmacological therapies, with a particular focus on anti-inflammatory agents and bronchodilators currently under investigation. Each drug category is mapped to relevant TTs, such as eosinophilic or neutrophilic inflammation, corticosteroid resistance, chronic bronchitis, and frequent exacerbations. This review highlights the importance of biomarker-driven phenotyping and real-world data in designing TT-based clinical trials. It emphasizes challenges such as trait instability over time, comorbidity clustering, and trial design heterogeneity. Moreover, we advocate for incorporating digital health tools, long-term follow-up, and cost-effectiveness analyses to ensure translational relevance. In conclusion, integrating emerging therapies with the TTs approach holds substantial promise for personalizing COPD management, improving outcomes, and facilitating targeted drug development.
Neuroinflammatory Consequences of Rhinovirus Infection in Human Epithelial and Neuronal Models
Dunne OM, Roe NAM, Mousnier A, Martin SL, Sergeant GP, About I, El-Karim I, Lundy FT and McGarvey LP
Rhinovirus (RV) is the leading cause of exacerbations of lung disease. A sensory neuronal model, derived from human dental pulp stem cells and differentiated into peripheral neuronal equivalents (PNEs), was used to examine RV's effects on airway sensory nerves. We investigated whether RV can directly infect and alter PNEs or whether it exerts effects indirectly via the release of mediators from infected epithelial cells.
Lactate and Lactylation in Respiratory Diseases: from Molecular Mechanisms to Targeted Strategies
Jia Q, Yuan Q, Chen X and Hu Z
Lactate has emerged as a multifunctional signaling molecule regulating various physiological and pathological processes. Furthermore, lactylation, a newly identified posttranslational modification triggered by lactate accumulation, plays significant roles in human health and diseases. This study aims to investigate the roles of lactate/lactylation in respiratory diseases.
FUNDC1 Promoted Ferroptosis via JNK Pathway in Cigarette Smoking-Induced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Feng Y, Weng J, Li C, Liu Q, Chang Q, Zhang H, Li M, Wang K, Wang X, Chung KF, Adcock IM and Li F
Cigarette smoking (CS), the major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), induces oxidative stress, mitophagy, and ferroptosis. Because FUN14 domain-containing protein 1 (FUNDC1), a mitophagy receptor, may drive the onset and progression of COPD, we investigated its role in CS-induced ferroptosis in COPD and to explore the underlying cellular signaling mechanisms.
The Down-Regulation of Lactoferrin Expression Induced by Cigarette Smoke can Induce Ferroptosis in COPD
Wang Y, Xu W, Ren K, Yang J and Min L
Lactoferrin (LTF) plays a crucial role in iron homeostasis, immune response, and inflammation. In the context of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), LTF's expression is significantly influenced by environmental factors, particularly cigarette smoke. The pathological mechanism by which cigarette smoke regulates LTF and affects iron metabolism in COPD remains unclear. This study aims to clarify the mechanism therein.
Serum Cytokeratin 18 and Fragment as Biomarkers for Severity and Prognosis in Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Liu MY, Qu KX, Ma KS, Cheng ZY, Cai X, Miu HL, Liu MX, Wang YQ, Zhao H, Zheng L, Fu L and Yang J
Cytokeratin (CK)18 is present in the bronchi and alveolar epithelium of the lung, and its cleavage product, CK-18M30, serves as a biological marker of apoptosis. However, the specific roles of CK-18 and CK-18M30 in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) remain unclear.
Modified Tracheobronchoplasty for Chronic Cough Due to Excessive Dynamic Airway Collapse: A Case Series
Gonfiotti A, Sorano A, Jaus MO, Fabietti G, Voltolini L, Fontana GA and Lavorini F
Sputum Transcriptomic Analysis and Clustering Reveals Insight Into Asthma Heterogeneity
Goossens J, Jonckheere AC, De Boodt S, Dilissen E, Marain N, Decaesteker T, Cortes A, Vanoirbeek JA, Seys SF, Dupont L and Bullens DMA
Asthma is a heterogenous disease shaped by different inflammatory pathways. The aim is to investigate transcriptomic profiles in asthmatic patients and associate these with inflammation, airway damage and lung function.
Changes in Lung Function and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Todd JL, Neely ML, Hellkamp AS, Culver DA, Oldham JM, Li P, Patel DC, Palmer SM and
We evaluated relationships between changes in lung function and changes in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in 736 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) enrolled in the IPF-PRO Registry. Weak correlations were observed between changes in percent predicted values for forced vital capacity or diffusing capacity of the lungs (DLco) and changes in St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total and activity scores and the 12-item Short Form Survey (SF-12) physical component summary score over 12-month periods. Patients who had a deterioration in SGRQ activity score or SF-12 PCS score of ≥ 5 units had numerically larger declines in lung function than other patients, but the differences were small. The weak relationships observed between changes in lung function and changes in PROs underscore the importance of evaluating both changes in lung function and changes in HRQL in clinical practice and clinical trials.
Biologics in COPD: Do We Need a Divide and Conquer Approach?
Gogali A and Kostikas K