S1PR1 serves as a viable drug target against pulmonary fibrosis by increasing the integrity of the endothelial barrier of the lung

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease with unclear etiology and limited treatment options. The median survival time for IPF patients is approximately 2-3 years and there is no effective intervention to treat IPF other than lung transplantation. As important components of lung tissue, endothelial cells (ECs) are associated with pulmonary diseases. However, the role of endothelial dysfunction in pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is incompletely understood. Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) is a G protein-coupled receptor highly expressed in lung ECs. Its expression is markedly reduced in patients with IPF. Herein, we generated an endothelial-conditional S1pr1 knockout mouse model which exhibited inflammation and fibrosis with or without bleomycin (BLM) challenge. Selective activation of S1PR1 with an S1PR1 agonist, IMMH002, exerted a potent therapeutic effect in mice with bleomycin-induced fibrosis by protecting the integrity of the endothelial barrier. These results suggest that S1PR1 might be a promising drug target for IPF therapy.

Diamond-shaped anastomosis in Ivor Lewis minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To evaluate initial results of Ivor Lewis minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) for esophageal carcinoma using a diamond-shaped anastomosis with 45 mm linear-stapler.Methods Clinical data of 12 patients diagnosed middle to distal esophageal carcinoma and undergoing Ivor Lewis minimally invasive esophagetomy using a diamond-shaped anastomosis technique during Dec.2015 and Nov.2016 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were collected and analyzed retrospectively.Results The mean operation time was (378 ± 56) min,the mean blood loss was (280 ± 120) ml,and the mean postoperative hospital stay was (12.2 ± 2.0) days.No positive margin,no peri-operative death occurred.Postoperative complication included atelectasis and pulmonary infection in 1 patient,paresis of left recurrent laryngeal nerve in 1 patient.No anastomotic leak or constriction occurred.Median follow up was 7 months,11 patients had no evidence of disease progress,1 patient had subcutanecous metastasis and was reoperated.Conclusion The diamond anastomosis technique utilizing in Ivor Lewis MIE for esophageal carcinoma is feasible,easy to manipulate,safe and reliable.