Featured Publications
SPLUNC1: a novel marker of cystic fibrosis exacerbations
Khanal S, Webster M, Niu N, Zielonka J, Nunez M, Chupp G, Slade MD, Cohn L, Sauler M, Gomez JL, Tarran R, Sharma L, Dela Cruz CS, Egan M, Laguna T, Britto CJ. SPLUNC1: a novel marker of cystic fibrosis exacerbations. European Respiratory Journal 2021, 58: 2000507. PMID: 33958427, PMCID: PMC8571118, DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00507-2020.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAcute pulmonary exacerbationsSPLUNC1 levelsCystic fibrosisClinical outcomesCF participantsLong-term disease controlNasal epithelium clone 1Cystic fibrosis exacerbationsHigher AE riskLung function declineCytokines interleukin-1βTumor necrosis factorAE riskClinical worseningPulmonary exacerbationsStable patientsLung functionAirway clearanceFunction declineSputum collectionAcute inflammationInflammatory cytokinesMicrobiology findingsCF careClinical managementSingle-Cell Transcriptional Archetypes of Airway Inflammation in Cystic Fibrosis.
Schupp JC, Khanal S, Gomez JL, Sauler M, Adams TS, Chupp GL, Yan X, Poli S, Zhao Y, Montgomery RR, Rosas IO, Dela Cruz CS, Bruscia EM, Egan ME, Kaminski N, Britto CJ. Single-Cell Transcriptional Archetypes of Airway Inflammation in Cystic Fibrosis. American Journal Of Respiratory And Critical Care Medicine 2020, 202: 1419-1429. PMID: 32603604, PMCID: PMC7667912, DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202004-0991oc.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCF lung diseaseHealthy control subjectsImmune dysfunctionLung diseaseCystic fibrosisControl subjectsSputum cellsAbnormal chloride transportLung mononuclear phagocytesInnate immune dysfunctionDivergent clinical coursesImmune cell repertoireMonocyte-derived macrophagesCF monocytesAirway inflammationClinical courseProinflammatory featuresCell survival programInflammatory responseTissue injuryCell repertoireImmune functionTranscriptional profilesAlveolar macrophagesMononuclear phagocytes
2022
Characterization of the COPD alveolar niche using single-cell RNA sequencing
Sauler M, McDonough JE, Adams TS, Kothapalli N, Barnthaler T, Werder RB, Schupp JC, Nouws J, Robertson MJ, Coarfa C, Yang T, Chioccioli M, Omote N, Cosme C, Poli S, Ayaub EA, Chu SG, Jensen KH, Gomez JL, Britto CJ, Raredon MSB, Niklason LE, Wilson AA, Timshel PN, Kaminski N, Rosas IO. Characterization of the COPD alveolar niche using single-cell RNA sequencing. Nature Communications 2022, 13: 494. PMID: 35078977, PMCID: PMC8789871, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28062-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSingle-cell RNA sequencingRNA sequencingCell-specific mechanismsChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseAdvanced chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseTranscriptomic network analysisSingle-cell RNA sequencing profilesCellular stress toleranceAberrant cellular metabolismStress toleranceRNA sequencing profilesTranscriptional evidenceCellular metabolismAlveolar nicheSequencing profilesHuman alveolar epithelial cellsChemokine signalingAlveolar epithelial type II cellsObstructive pulmonary diseaseSitu hybridizationType II cellsEpithelial type II cellsSequencingCOPD pathobiologyHuman lung tissue samples
2021
Response
Price CC, Altice FL, Azar MM, McManus D, Gleeson SE, Britto CJ, Azmy V, Kaman K, Davis M, Chupp G, Bucala R, Kaminski N, Topal JE, Dela Cruz C, Malinis M. Response. CHEST Journal 2021, 159: 2116-2117. PMID: 33965143, PMCID: PMC8097398, DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2020.12.032.Commentaries, Editorials and LettersSingle-cell characterization of a model of poly I:C-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells in severe asthma
Chen A, Diaz-Soto MP, Sanmamed MF, Adams T, Schupp JC, Gupta A, Britto C, Sauler M, Yan X, Liu Q, Nino G, Cruz CSD, Chupp GL, Gomez JL. Single-cell characterization of a model of poly I:C-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells in severe asthma. Respiratory Research 2021, 22: 122. PMID: 33902571, PMCID: PMC8074196, DOI: 10.1186/s12931-021-01709-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPeripheral blood mononuclear cellsSevere asthmaEffector T cellsBlood mononuclear cellsT cellsHealthy controlsPoly IDendritic cellsMononuclear cellsUnstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cellsInterferon responseTLR3 agonist poly IImpaired interferon responseMain cell subsetsNatural killer cellsPro-inflammatory profilePro-inflammatory pathwaysC stimulationCyTOF profilingHigh CD8Cell typesEffector cellsKiller cellsCell subsetsMain cell typesStaphylococcus aureus induces an itaconate-dominated immunometabolic response that drives biofilm formation
Tomlinson KL, Lung TWF, Dach F, Annavajhala MK, Gabryszewski SJ, Groves RA, Drikic M, Francoeur NJ, Sridhar SH, Smith ML, Khanal S, Britto CJ, Sebra R, Lewis I, Uhlemann AC, Kahl BC, Prince AS, Riquelme SA. Staphylococcus aureus induces an itaconate-dominated immunometabolic response that drives biofilm formation. Nature Communications 2021, 12: 1399. PMID: 33658521, PMCID: PMC7930111, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21718-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAnimalsBiofilmsBronchoalveolar Lavage FluidCarbohydrate MetabolismCystic FibrosisGene Expression Regulation, BacterialGlycolysisHost-Pathogen InteractionsHumansHydro-LyasesMice, Inbred C57BLPseudomonas InfectionsReactive Oxygen SpeciesSputumStaphylococcal InfectionsStaphylococcus aureusStress, PhysiologicalSuccinatesSuccinic AcidYoung AdultConceptsImmunometabolic responsesS. aureusChronic airway infectionStaphylococcus aureusAirway infectionProminent human pathogenChronic infectionGram-negative pathogensHuman airwaysImmune defenseGlycolytic activityElectrophilic metabolitesInfectionSynthetic enzymesAureusHuman pathogensBiofilm formationMitochondrial stressGlycolysisResponseAirwayPathogensMicroRNA miR-24-3p reduces DNA damage responses, apoptosis, and susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Nouws J, Wan F, Finnemore E, Roque W, Kim SJ, Bazan IS, Li CX, Sköld C, Dai Q, Yan X, Chioccioli M, Neumeister V, Britto CJ, Sweasy J, Bindra RS, Wheelock ÅM, Gomez JL, Kaminski N, Lee PJ, Sauler M. MicroRNA miR-24-3p reduces DNA damage responses, apoptosis, and susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. JCI Insight 2021, 6: e134218. PMID: 33290275, PMCID: PMC7934877, DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.134218.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCellular stress responseStress responseHomology-directed DNA repairDNA damage responseProtein BRCA1Damage responseCellular stressDNA repairProtein BimCOPD lung tissueLung epithelial cellsCellular responsesExpression arraysEpithelial cell apoptosisDNA damageChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseBRCA1 expressionCell apoptosisApoptosisEpithelial cellsCritical mechanismMicroRNAsRegulatorObstructive pulmonary diseaseIncreases Susceptibility
2020
A Network of Sputum MicroRNAs is Associated with Neutrophilic Airway Inflammation in Asthma
Gomez JL, Chen A, Diaz MP, Zirn N, Gupta A, Britto C, Sauler M, Yan X, Stewart E, Santerian K, Grant N, Liu Q, Fry R, Rager J, Cohn L, Alexis N, Chupp GL. A Network of Sputum MicroRNAs is Associated with Neutrophilic Airway Inflammation in Asthma. American Journal Of Respiratory And Critical Care Medicine 2020, 0: 51-64. PMID: 32255668, PMCID: PMC7328332, DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201912-2360oc.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEndoplasmic reticulum stressAirway inflammationNeutrophil countClinical featuresT-helper cell type 17Neutrophilic airway inflammationReticulum stressSputum of subjectsLung function impairmentHistory of hospitalizationNumber of neutrophilsPeripheral blood neutrophilsSputum of patientsMicroRNA expressionAsthma severityTh17 pathwayFunction impairmentAirway samplesMicroRNA networkBlood neutrophilsOzone exposureAsthmaSputumCellular sourceClinical phenotypeTocilizumab Treatment for Cytokine Release Syndrome in Hospitalized Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Survival and Clinical Outcomes
Price CC, Altice FL, Shyr Y, Koff A, Pischel L, Goshua G, Azar MM, Mcmanus D, Chen SC, Gleeson SE, Britto CJ, Azmy V, Kaman K, Gaston DC, Davis M, Burrello T, Harris Z, Villanueva MS, Aoun-Barakat L, Kang I, Seropian S, Chupp G, Bucala R, Kaminski N, Lee AI, LoRusso PM, Topal JE, Dela Cruz C, Malinis M. Tocilizumab Treatment for Cytokine Release Syndrome in Hospitalized Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Survival and Clinical Outcomes. CHEST Journal 2020, 158: 1397-1408. PMID: 32553536, PMCID: PMC7831876, DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2020.06.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCytokine release syndromeTocilizumab-treated patientsSevere diseaseRelease syndromeTocilizumab treatmentInflammatory biomarkersNonsevere diseaseSoluble IL-2 receptor levelsHigh-sensitivity C-reactive proteinIL-2 receptor levelsConsecutive COVID-19 patientsIL-6 receptor antagonistMechanical ventilation outcomesC-reactive proteinCOVID-19 patientsHigher admission levelsRace/ethnicityMV daysVentilation outcomesAdverse eventsChart reviewClinical responseMedian ageWhite patientsClinical outcomesPseudomonas aeruginosa Utilizes Host-Derived Itaconate to Redirect Its Metabolism to Promote Biofilm Formation
Riquelme SA, Liimatta K, Wong Fok Lung T, Fields B, Ahn D, Chen D, Lozano C, Sáenz Y, Uhlemann AC, Kahl BC, Britto CJ, DiMango E, Prince A. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Utilizes Host-Derived Itaconate to Redirect Its Metabolism to Promote Biofilm Formation. Cell Metabolism 2020, 31: 1091-1106.e6. PMID: 32428444, PMCID: PMC7272298, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2020.04.017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHost immune responseImmune responseDownregulation of lipopolysaccharidesIntractable pneumoniaPseudomonas aeruginosaInfected lungsChronic infectionImmune clearanceHuman airwaysImmunostimulatory propertiesMyeloid cellsHigh mortalityAirwayInfectionOpportunistic bacteriaLipopolysaccharideAeruginosaBiofilm formationResponsePneumoniaLungTherapyMortalityClearanceUpregulationMechanisms of Epithelial Immunity Evasion by Respiratory Bacterial Pathogens
Sharma L, Feng J, Britto CJ, Dela Cruz CS. Mechanisms of Epithelial Immunity Evasion by Respiratory Bacterial Pathogens. Frontiers In Immunology 2020, 11: 91. PMID: 32117248, PMCID: PMC7027138, DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00091.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsConceptsBacterial lung infectionsImmune cellsBacterial clearanceRespiratory bacterial pathogensEpithelial cellsLung infectionSecretion of cytokinesEpithelial host defenseMuco-ciliary clearanceHuge economic burdenRespiratory epithelial cellsLung epithelial surfaceMajor healthcare challengeEpithelial immune mechanismsBacterial pathogensAntimicrobial peptide productionImmune mechanismsImmune protectionMucus productionEconomic burdenPathogen clearanceEpithelial immunityHost defenseClinical researchEpithelial resistance
2019
Escalating Mucus Inhibition to the Top of Our Priorities
Britto CJ, Cohn L. Escalating Mucus Inhibition to the Top of Our Priorities. American Journal Of Respiratory Cell And Molecular Biology 2019, 61: 275-276. PMID: 31063695, PMCID: PMC6839933, DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2019-0143ed.Commentaries, Editorials and LettersCFTR-PTEN–dependent mitochondrial metabolic dysfunction promotes Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway infection
Riquelme SA, Lozano C, Moustafa AM, Liimatta K, Tomlinson KL, Britto C, Khanal S, Gill SK, Narechania A, Azcona-Gutiérrez JM, DiMango E, Saénz Y, Planet P, Prince A. CFTR-PTEN–dependent mitochondrial metabolic dysfunction promotes Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway infection. Science Translational Medicine 2019, 11 PMID: 31270271, PMCID: PMC6784538, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aav4634.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsCarboxy-LyasesColony Count, MicrobialCystic FibrosisCystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance RegulatorHCT116 CellsHumansHypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha SubunitImmunityInterleukin-1betaLungMice, Inbred C57BLMiddle AgedMitochondriaOxidantsOxidative StressPseudomonas aeruginosaPseudomonas InfectionsPTEN PhosphohydrolaseReactive Oxygen SpeciesSuccinatesConceptsCystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulatorImmune-responsive gene 1Fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulatorEffect of PTENTransmembrane conductance regulatorPlasma membraneChromosome 10Reactive oxygen speciesConductance regulatorTumor suppressorTensin homologGene 1Mitochondrial functionMitochondrial activityAnti-inflammatory host responsesCell proliferationOxygen speciesPTENMyeloid cellsCFTR dysfunctionMetabolic defectsHost responseActivity contributesHomologComplexes
2018
Regulation and Role of Chitotriosidase during Lung Infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae
Sharma L, Amick AK, Vasudevan S, Lee SW, Marion CR, Liu W, Brady V, Losier A, Bermejo SD, Britto CJ, Lee CG, Elias JA, Dela Cruz CS. Regulation and Role of Chitotriosidase during Lung Infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae. The Journal Of Immunology 2018, 201: 615-626. PMID: 29891554, PMCID: PMC6291403, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701782.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLung infectionMouse modelRole of chitotriosidaseBronchoalveolar lavage fluidNumber of neutrophilsSimilar inflammatory responseRole of CHIT1Antibiotic therapyImproved survivalInflammatory changesLavage fluidInflammatory responseNeutrophil proteasesBacterial disseminationTrue chitinasesInfectionBeneficial effectsDetrimental roleAkt pathwayKlebsiella pneumoniaeAkt inhibitorCHIT1Chitinase-like proteinsMiceAkt activationImpaired type I interferon regulation in the blood transcriptome of recurrent asthma exacerbations
Gomez JL, Diaz MP, Nino G, Britto CJ. Impaired type I interferon regulation in the blood transcriptome of recurrent asthma exacerbations. BMC Medical Genomics 2018, 11: 21. PMID: 29486764, PMCID: PMC5830339, DOI: 10.1186/s12920-018-0340-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPeripheral blood mononuclear cellsAsthma exacerbationsInterferon-stimulated genesRespiratory infectionsIL-15Vivo cohortToll-like receptor 2STAT1 responseRecurrent asthma exacerbationsAcute asthma exacerbationPro-inflammatory moleculesType I interferon regulationBlood mononuclear cellsPro-inflammatory signatureTranscriptomic signaturesType I interferonFold changeAdult asthmaAcute phaseMononuclear cellsImmunologic genesExacerbationIndependent cohortReceptor 2I interferon
2017
Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator Modulators: Implications for the Management of Depression and Anxiety in Cystic Fibrosis
Talwalkar JS, Koff JL, Lee HB, Britto CJ, Mulenos AM, Georgiopoulos AM. Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator Modulators: Implications for the Management of Depression and Anxiety in Cystic Fibrosis. Journal Of The Academy Of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry 2017, 58: 343-354. PMID: 28576305, DOI: 10.1016/j.psym.2017.04.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCFTR modulator therapyCystic fibrosisModulator therapyNovel therapiesCF transmembrane regulatorCFTR modulatorsCentral nervous system functionNovel CF therapiesManagement of depressionWorse medical outcomesMental health specialistsDrug-drug interactionsNervous system functionMental health variablesTreatment guidelinesClinical outcomesMedication interactionsCF centersComorbid depressionCF RegistryAnxiety screeningCF teamNovel agentsHigh riskMedical outcomesMultiparameter Single Cell Profiling of Airway Inflammatory Cells
Yao Y, Welp T, Liu Q, Niu N, Wang X, Britto CJ, Krishnaswamy S, Chupp G, Montgomery RR. Multiparameter Single Cell Profiling of Airway Inflammatory Cells. Cytometry Part B Clinical Cytometry 2017, 92: 12-20. PMID: 27807928, PMCID: PMC5250532, DOI: 10.1002/cyto.b.21491.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSingle-cell methodsComplex trait diseasesSubgroup of asthmaticsSingle-cell analysisMultiparameter single cell analysisMillions of patientsTranscriptional analysisImmunologic underpinningsInduced sputumAirway diseaseAsthmatic patientsAirway samplesCell subsetsImmune statusFunctional statusClinical severityDistinct biologic mechanismsTreatment successPhysiologic manifestationsBiologic mechanismsCystic fibrosisCellular analysisPatientsCytometry studiesU.S. population
2016
Respiratory Viral Infections in Chronic Lung Diseases
Britto CJ, Brady V, Lee S, Dela Cruz CS. Respiratory Viral Infections in Chronic Lung Diseases. Clinics In Chest Medicine 2016, 38: 87-96. PMID: 28159164, PMCID: PMC5679206, DOI: 10.1016/j.ccm.2016.11.014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChronic lung diseaseChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseInterstitial lung diseaseLung diseaseLung infectionViral infectionCystic fibrosisRespiratory viral infectionsObstructive pulmonary diseaseDifferent lung diseasesDisease exacerbationPulmonary diseaseDisease pathogenesisInfectionDiseaseAsthmaExacerbationPatientsFibrosisPathogenesisProgression
2015
Bactericidal/Permeability-Increasing Protein Fold–Containing Family Member A1 in Airway Host Protection and Respiratory Disease
Britto CJ, Cohn L. Bactericidal/Permeability-Increasing Protein Fold–Containing Family Member A1 in Airway Host Protection and Respiratory Disease. American Journal Of Respiratory Cell And Molecular Biology 2015, 52: 525-534. PMID: 25265466, PMCID: PMC4491141, DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2014-0297rt.BooksConceptsPulmonary diseaseHost protectionChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseObstructive pulmonary diseaseIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosisMember A1Immune cell functionMultiple lung diseasesBactericidal/permeability-increasing proteinRespiratory malignanciesPulmonary pathogenesisPulmonary fibrosisPermeability-increasing proteinRespiratory secretionsLung diseaseUpper airwayRespiratory tractRespiratory diseaseProximal tracheaImmunomodulatory propertiesBPIFA1Cystic fibrosisDiseasePotential drug targetsEnvironmental exposures
2013
Short Palate, Lung, and Nasal Epithelial Clone–1 Is a Tightly Regulated Airway Sensor in Innate and Adaptive Immunity
Britto CJ, Liu Q, Curran DR, Patham B, Dela Cruz CS, Cohn L. Short Palate, Lung, and Nasal Epithelial Clone–1 Is a Tightly Regulated Airway Sensor in Innate and Adaptive Immunity. American Journal Of Respiratory Cell And Molecular Biology 2013, 48: 717-724. PMID: 23470624, PMCID: PMC3727874, DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2012-0072oc.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdaptive ImmunityAnimalsCell Line, TumorGene Expression RegulationGlycoproteinsHumansImmunity, InnateImmunohistochemistryInflammationInfluenza A virusInterferon-gammaLipopolysaccharidesLungMiceMice, Inbred C57BLPhosphoproteinsPneumonia, BacterialPseudomonas aeruginosaRespiratory MucosaRespiratory Tract InfectionsStreptococcus pneumoniaeConceptsNasal epithelial clone 1Lower respiratory tractRespiratory tractAirway inflammationShort palateTh2-induced airway inflammationHost defenseAllergic airway inflammationCommon respiratory pathogensAirway epithelial cellsModel of pneumoniaAirway surface liquidPathogen-associated molecular patternsGreatest environmental exposureClone 1Mucociliary clearanceRespiratory pathogensAirway sensorsRespiratory epitheliumAdaptive immunitySPLUNC1IFN-γ actBasal conditionsMRNA expressionMolecular patterns