National Jewish Health

About: National Jewish Health is a healthcare organization based out in Denver, Colorado, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Asthma & T cell. The organization has 883 authors who have published 833 publications receiving 79201 citations. The organization is also known as: National Jewish Medical and Research Center.

Role of caveolin-1 in regulation of inflammation: different strokes for different folks

Abstract: the article by hu et al. ([10][1]) describes a novel role for caveolin-1 in regulating antimicrobial responses of neutrophils as well as inflammatory lung injury. Previous reports had documented expression of caveolin-1 in immune cells ([9][2]), including professional phagocytes such as neutrophils

Association between acute respiratory disease events and the MUC5B promoter polymorphism in smokers

Abstract: A single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs35705950) in the mucin 5B (MUC5B) gene promoter is associated with pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial features on chest CT but may also have beneficial effects In non-Hispanic whites in the COPDGene cohort with interstitial features (n=454), the MUC5B promoter polymorphism was associated with a 61% lower odds of a prospectively reported acute respiratory disease event (P=0001), a longer time-to-first event (HR=057; P=0006) and 40% fewer events (P=0016) The MUC5B promoter polymorphism may have a beneficial effect on the risk of acute respiratory disease events in smokers with interstitial CT features

Hot tub associated granulomatous lung disease from mycobacterial bioaerosols.

Abstract: Exposure to microbial aerosols from indoor hot tubs and therapy pools can cause granulomatous lung disease However, the clinical presentation, causative antigen, and factors affecting outcome remain poorly understood We performed a retrospective case series of all patients seen at our institution from 1994 to 2002 with a diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis attributed to hot tub or therapy pool exposure (hot tub lung) We identified 27 immunocompetent patients with hot tub lung The patients had symptoms accompanied by pulmonary function and high resolution chest computed tomography abnormalities suggestive for hypersensitivity pneumonitis Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) (mainly Mycobacterium avium complex) were cultured from most of the patients Environmental sampling performed at a third of the implicated sites showed high concentrations of NTM in both air and water samples Removal from exposure combined with oral corticosteroids and, in a few cases, NTM antibiotics, led to significant improvement or resolution of illness in all affected, although mild residual functional abnormalities persisted in the majority Exposure to aerosols containing NTM from indoor warm water pools and spas can cause a granulomatous lung disease with features of hypersensitivity pneumonitis Recognition of these environmental exposure sources and appropriate management leads to a generally favorable prognosis

Isolation of a gene encoding a novel receptor tyrosine kinase from differentiated embryonic stem cells.

Abstract: A mouse gene encoding a receptor tyrosine kinase, designated Embryonic receptor kinase (EmRK2), was isolated from embryoid bodies (EBs) generated by differentiating embryonic stem (ES) cells in culture for 6 days. Sequence analysis of EmRK2 cDNA clones predicts a receptor with a 755 amino acid extracellular region with seven immunoglobulin-like domains, a transmembrane region, and a 552 amino acid cytoplasmic region containing the kinase domain. The kinase domain is interrupted by a stretch of hydrophilic amino acids, the kinase insert. EmRK2 is expressed in embryoid bodies, in whole embryos at day 10 and 12 of gestation, and in the embryonic yolk sac and the fetal liver. On the basis of sequence homology, EmRK2 is likely to be the mouse homologue of human flt, a receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor, and as such, could encode an endothelial cell specific receptor tyrosine kinase.

Utilization of Air-Liquid Interface Cultures as an In Vitro Model to Assess Primary Airway Epithelial Cell Responses to the Type 2 Cytokine Interleukin-13.

Abstract: The airway epithelium lines the respiratory tract and provides the primary protective barrier against inhalational insults including toxic environmental substances and microorganisms. The airway epithelium also plays a critical role in regulating airway immune responses. The airway epithelial response to the type 2 cytokine, interleukin-13 (IL-13), is critical to airway inflammation, mucus production, and airway hyperresponsiveness present in asthma. Relevant primary cell models of the human airway epithelium are needed to investigate the biology of IL-13-mediated airway epithelial effects. Here, we describe the generation of a differentiated mucociliary human airway epithelium using an in vitro air-liquid interface (ALI) culture model system. We also describe methods to stimulate this culture model with IL-13 and harvest cells and biomolecules to interrogate cellular and molecular aspects of the airway epithelial IL-13 response.