Using a mouse model, scientists from the RIKEN-Max Planck Joint Research Center for Systems Chemical Biology and a number of other institutes have identified a sugar molecule that reduced the inflammatory response and progress of emphysema, a common component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). According to Naoyuki Taniguchi, the leader of the group, this discovery could lead to the development of drugs based on glycans—biological sugar molecules—for the treatment of diseases such as COPD, which is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide.
As part of the research group’s work to explore the roles of sugar molecules in health and disease, they found that keratan sulfate, a large negatively charged saccharide found in the small airway of the lung, is decreased in mice that have been exposed to cigarette smoke. They wondered if this decrease might be associated with the damage that smoking causes to the lung. Taniguchi says, “We are not absolutely sure of the mechanism through which smoking leads to a reduction in keratan sulfate, but felt that clearly the reduction is important in thinking about glycan-based strategies for combating emphysema and COPD.”
They wondered whether the keratan sulfate might be playing a protective role in COPD. To test the hypothesis, they prepared a repeating disaccharide element of keratan sulfate, named L4, and administered it into two mouse models of emphysema—one a model of emphysema triggered by the enzyme elastase, and the other an exacerbation of smoking-induced emphysema triggered by LPS, a toxin found in bacterial cell walls.
In the first model, they found that that treatment with L4 prevented destruction of the alveoli—the small air sacs in lungs that are used to exchange gases, and in addition that it reduced the infiltration of a type of white blood cell called neutrophils, which is symptomatic of an inflammatory response, as well as levels of inflammatory cytokines and tissue-degrading enzymes. Although L4 was shown to inhibit these enzymes, they did not find any ability of L4 to directly reduce the production of cytokines or reactive oxygen species, so concluded that the action was also being done indirectly, through mechanisms involving the neutrophils.
In the exacerbation model, they found that the L4 administration prevented the influx of neutrophils. According to Taniguchi, “We found that L4 was as effective as dexamethasone in reducing neutrophil infiltration. This is very exciting, because dexamethasone, the treatment currently used for COPD, is a steroid medication that can have serious side effects and can in some cases make the outcome worse. It will be exciting if we can show that L4—a sugar molecule which we found had no adverse effects in the mice even at high doses—can be used as a treatment for this condition, which exerts a tremendous health burden.”
According to Taniguchi, there is still work to be done in the area. “We plan now to try to determine exactly how L4 blocks neutrophil migration, by finding a target receptor protein, and how L4 can suppress inflammation in vivo, as this could give us important insights into the mechanism of COPD progression and how it can be halted.”
Learn more: Sugar element of keratan sulfate halts the progress of emphysema
[osd_subscribe categories=’copd’ placeholder=’Email Address’ button_text=’Subscribe Now for any new posts on the topic “COPD”‘]
Receive an email update when we add a new COPD article.
The Latest on: COPD
[google_news title=”” keyword=”COPD” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: COPD
- Why You Should Consider Pulmonary Rehabon April 26, 2024 at 9:41 am
Pulmonary rehabilitation expert, Connie, explains the many ways this underutilized service can help improve the quality of life for many patients with chronic lung disease.
- Vitamin D Supplementation Linked to Reduced In-Hospital, ICU Mortality in Patients With COPDon April 26, 2024 at 9:00 am
Vitamin D supplementation may decrease in-hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a study found.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis patients genetically susceptible for developing COPD, suggests studyon April 26, 2024 at 8:00 am
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis patients are genetically susceptible to developing COPD, suggests a study published in the Frontiers in Medicine.Observational studies have reported ...
- COPD and Asthma Devices Market From Insights to Strategy Unleashing the Power of Focus Group Dataon April 25, 2024 at 9:27 pm
COPD and Asthma Devices Market is valued approximately at USD 36.9 billion in 2019 and is anticipated to grow with a growth rate of more than 4.3% over the forecast period 2020-2027. Chronic ...
- More Cases of Asthma, COPD, Hypertension After Military Burn Pit Exposureon April 25, 2024 at 12:51 pm
Veterans in the highest tertile of burn pit exposure (340 days or more) had a 10% higher odds of asthma, a 22% higher odds of COPD, and a 10% higher odds of hypertension when compared with those with ...
- Sanofi leans on COPD as 'next major growth pillar' for its immunology star Dupixent: CEOon April 25, 2024 at 9:36 am
Even as new Sanofi drugs like Beyfortus and Altuviiio come into their own, the French pharma’s immunology powerhouse Dupixent shows no signs of slowing down. | Even as new Sanofi drugs like Beyfortus ...
- Is Pulmonary Rehab Right for Your Patient With COPD?on April 25, 2024 at 8:20 am
Join Dr Leah Witt and nurse practitioner Chris Garvey as they discuss pulmonary rehab, an underutilized treatment for people living with COPD.
- USAMRAA grant supports COPD biosensor project at The Lundquist Instituteon April 24, 2024 at 10:02 pm
The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) has awarded The Lundquist Institute (TLI) a four-year grant totaling $2,623,234.
- Tampa air quality improved, still not great in 'State of the Air' report, asthma, COPD sufferers take noteon April 24, 2024 at 4:43 am
Ozone and particle pollution can cause shortness of breath and coughing, an increased risk of respiratory infections, and can send people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to ...
via Bing News