Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage in a Non-Athletic Child: Implications for Military Recruits.

Hemoptysis is a rare presenting symptom in pediatric and young adult patients with a highly variable outcome ranging from an isolated mild occurrence to severe illness and death. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) has several reports in adult literature but has not previously been reported in pediatric patients. A 12-year-old female with a history of trisomy X (47, XXX), obesity, depression, anxiety, and obstructive sleep apnea presented to the pediatric pulmonology clinic after several episodes of hemoptysis. Spirometry, imaging, and laboratory evaluation for autoimmune vasculitides and other causes associated with pediatric hemoptysis did not reveal an etiology for the hemoptysis. A combined bronchoscopy with pediatric and adult providers revealed no airway lesions or sources of bleeding. EIPH is a diagnosis of exclusion. This patient was diagnosed with EIPH and had spontaneous resolution with improved fitness. Many military training and service activities are similar to those reported with EIPH. Trainees with various levels of aerobic fitness are at risk of developing EIPH. The hemoptysis evaluation is important for military providers given the range of severity in presentations, even though it is a rare occurrence. In addition to a novel presentation of EIPH, this case demonstrates the value of collaboration between pediatric and adult specialists in the Military Health System (MHS). Military care providers should be aware of this rare phenomenon in service members and trainees who are at risk during maximal aerobic effort.

GZMK+CD8+ T cells Target A Specific Acinar Cell Type in Sjögren's Disease.

Sjögren's Disease (SjD) is a systemic autoimmune disease without a clear etiology or effective therapy. Utilizing unbiased single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to analyze human minor salivary glands in health and disease we developed a comprehensive understanding of the cellular landscape of healthy salivary glands and how that landscape changes in SjD patients. We identified novel seromucous acinar cell types and identified a population of PRR4+CST3+WFDC2- seromucous acinar cells that are particularly targeted in SjD. Notably, GZMK +CD8 T cells, enriched in SjD, exhibited a cytotoxic phenotype and were physically associated with immune-engaged epithelial cells in disease. These findings shed light on the immune response's impact on transitioning acinar cells with high levels of secretion and explain the loss of this specific cell population in SjD. This study explores the complex interplay of varied cell types in the salivary glands and their role in the pathology of Sjögren's Disease.

Expression profiling of cerebrospinal fluid identifies dysregulated antiviral mechanisms in multiple sclerosis.

Despite the overwhelming evidence that multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, relatively little is known about the precise nature of the immune dysregulation underlying the development of the disease. Reasoning that the CSF from patients might be enriched for cells relevant in pathogenesis, we have completed a high-resolution single-cell analysis of 96 732 CSF cells collected from 33 patients with multiple sclerosis (n = 48 675) and 48 patients with other neurological diseases (n = 48 057). Completing comprehensive cell type annotation, we identified a rare population of CD8+ T cells, characterized by the upregulation of inhibitory receptors, increased in patients with multiple sclerosis. Applying a Multi-Omics Factor Analysis to these single-cell data further revealed that activity in pathways responsible for controlling inflammatory and type 1 interferon responses are altered in multiple sclerosis in both T cells and myeloid cells. We also undertook a systematic search for expression quantitative trait loci in the CSF cells. Of particular interest were two expression quantitative trait loci in CD8+ T cells that were fine mapped to multiple sclerosis susceptibility variants in the viral control genes ZC3HAV1 (rs10271373) and IFITM2 (rs1059091). Further analysis suggests that these associations likely reflect genetic effects on RNA splicing and cell-type specific gene expression respectively. Collectively, our study suggests that alterations in viral control mechanisms might be important in the development of multiple sclerosis.

Early human lung immune cell development and its role in epithelial cell fate.

Studies of human lung development have focused on epithelial and mesenchymal cell types and function, but much less is known about the developing lung immune cells, even though the airways are a major site of mucosal immunity after birth. An unanswered question is whether tissue-resident immune cells play a role in shaping the tissue as it develops in utero. Here, we profiled human embryonic and fetal lung immune cells using scRNA-seq, smFISH, and immunohistochemistry. At the embryonic stage, we observed an early wave of innate immune cells, including innate lymphoid cells, natural killer cells, myeloid cells, and lineage progenitors. By the canalicular stage, we detected naive T lymphocytes expressing high levels of cytotoxicity genes and the presence of mature B lymphocytes, including B-1 cells. Our analysis suggests that fetal lungs provide a niche for full B cell maturation. Given the presence and diversity of immune cells during development, we also investigated their possible effect on epithelial maturation. We found that IL-1ß drives epithelial progenitor exit from self-renewal and differentiation to basal cells in vitro. In vivo, IL-1ß-producing myeloid cells were found throughout the lung and adjacent to epithelial tips, suggesting that immune cells may direct human lung epithelial development.

Precise identification of cell states altered in disease using healthy single-cell references.

Joint analysis of single-cell genomics data from diseased tissues and a healthy reference can reveal altered cell states. We investigate whether integrated collections of data from healthy individuals (cell atlases) are suitable references for disease-state identification and whether matched control samples are needed to minimize false discoveries. We demonstrate that using a reference atlas for latent space learning followed by differential analysis against matched controls leads to improved identification of disease-associated cells, especially with multiple perturbed cell types. Additionally, when an atlas is available, reducing control sample numbers does not increase false discovery rates. Jointly analyzing data from a COVID-19 cohort and a blood cell atlas, we improve detection of infection-related cell states linked to distinct clinical severities. Similarly, we studied disease states in pulmonary fibrosis using a healthy lung atlas, characterizing two distinct aberrant basal states. Our analysis provides guidelines for designing disease cohort studies and optimizing cell atlas use.

An integrated cell atlas of the lung in health and disease.

Single-cell technologies have transformed our understanding of human tissues. Yet, studies typically capture only a limited number of donors and disagree on cell type definitions. Integrating many single-cell datasets can address these limitations of individual studies and capture the variability present in the population. Here we present the integrated Human Lung Cell Atlas (HLCA), combining 49 datasets of the human respiratory system into a single atlas spanning over 2.4 million cells from 486 individuals. The HLCA presents a consensus cell type re-annotation with matching marker genes, including annotations of rare and previously undescribed cell types. Leveraging the number and diversity of individuals in the HLCA, we identify gene modules that are associated with demographic covariates such as age, sex and body mass index, as well as gene modules changing expression along the proximal-to-distal axis of the bronchial tree. Mapping new data to the HLCA enables rapid data annotation and interpretation. Using the HLCA as a reference for the study of disease, we identify shared cell states across multiple lung diseases, including SPP1+ profibrotic monocyte-derived macrophages in COVID-19, pulmonary fibrosis and lung carcinoma. Overall, the HLCA serves as an example for the development and use of large-scale, cross-dataset organ atlases within the Human Cell Atlas.

Health anxiety and associated constructs in school-age children and adolescents with congenital heart disease and their parents: A children's healthy-heart activity monitoring program in Saskatchewan cohort study.

Youth with congenital heart disease (CHD) have been found to experience higher levels of health anxiety and associated constructs than typically developing peers. The association between youth and parent health anxiety has been explored in typically developing youth but this association remains unknown in youth with CHD. This association was explored using a prospective, cross-sectional study that included 36 school-age children and adolescents with CHD (median age =10.5 years, IQR = 4) and 35 parents (median age = 44 years, IQR = 10.5). Participants completed a demographic form and measures of health anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty, and anxiety disorder symptom categories (youth) or general anxiety (parent). Associations were observed between child and adolescent panic/agoraphobia symptoms and parent state anxiety (r = .41), child and adolescent intolerance of uncertainty and parent state and trait anxiety (r = .37; r = .46, respectively), and child and adolescent anxiety sensitivity and parent state anxiety (r = .40). No association was observed between health anxiety in children and adolescents and parents nor between child and adolescent health anxiety and parent associated constructs. For parents, associations between health anxiety and all measures of associated constructs of interest were observed. Study findings will facilitate improved understanding of the psychological needs of school-age children and adolescents with CHD.

A spatially resolved atlas of the human lung characterizes a gland-associated immune niche.

Single-cell transcriptomics has allowed unprecedented resolution of cell types/states in the human lung, but their spatial context is less well defined. To (re)define tissue architecture of lung and airways, we profiled five proximal-to-distal locations of healthy human lungs in depth using multi-omic single cell/nuclei and spatial transcriptomics (queryable at lungcellatlas.org ). Using computational data integration and analysis, we extend beyond the suspension cell paradigm and discover macro and micro-anatomical tissue compartments including previously unannotated cell types in the epithelial, vascular, stromal and nerve bundle micro-environments. We identify and implicate peribronchial fibroblasts in lung disease. Importantly, we discover and validate a survival niche for IgA plasma cells in the airway submucosal glands (SMG). We show that gland epithelial cells recruit B cells and IgA plasma cells, and promote longevity and antibody secretion locally through expression of CCL28, APRIL and IL-6. This new 'gland-associated immune niche' has implications for respiratory health.

Patient perspectives from the multi-disciplinary chronic pain clinic: a qualitative study.

Aim: The chronic pain clinic (CPC) is a multi-disciplinary program that incorporates pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods, including First Nations healing strategies, to manage pain, improve functioning and reduce opioid misuse among patients with chronic pain in Regina, Canada. Materials & methods: The care experiences of ten current clients were explored using a narrative interview approach. Results: The CPC provides high-quality and safe care for effective chronic pain management. Clients noted pain reduction and improvements in sleep, mobility, functionality, and mood. First Nation clients emphasized the importance of traditional healing strategies. Conclusion: This unique comprehensive multi-modal approach which incorporates First Nations healing strategies is effective in supporting the unique needs of local clients.

Zanamivir aqueous solution in severe influenza: A global Compassionate Use Program, 2009-2019.

BACKGROUND: Zanamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor effective against influenza A and B viruses. In 2009, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) began clinical development of intravenous (IV) zanamivir and initiated a global Compassionate Use Program (CUP) in response to the evolving H1N1 global pandemic. The goal of the CUP was to provide zanamivir to critically ill patients with limited treatment options. METHODS: Zanamivir was administered to patients with suspected or confirmed influenza infection who were not suitable for other approved antiviral treatments. Reporting of serious adverse events (SAEs) was mandatory and recorded in the GSK safety database. A master summary tracking sheet captured requests and patient characteristics. A case report form was available for detailing medical conditions, dosing, treatment duration, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: In total, 4,033 requests were made for zanamivir treatment of hospitalized patients from 38 countries between 2009 and 2019; ≥95% patients received zanamivir via the IV route. Europe had the highest number of requests (n = 3,051) followed by North America (n = 713). At least 20 patients were aged ≤6 months, of whom 12 were born prematurely. The GSK safety database included 466 patients with ≥1 SAE, of whom 374 (80%) had a fatal outcome. Drug-related SAEs were reported in 41 (11%) patients, including hepatic failure (n = 6 [2%]) and acute kidney injury (n = 5 [1%)]. CONCLUSIONS: The CUP facilitated global access to zanamivir prior to product approval. No new safety concerns were identified in the CUP compared with IV zanamivir clinical studies.

A Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, Panobinostat, Enhances Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Antitumor Effect Against Pancreatic Cancer.

PURPOSE: In this article, we describe a combination chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy that eradicated the majority of tumors in two immunocompetent murine pancreatic cancer models and a human pancreatic cancer xenograft model. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We used a dual-specific murine CAR T cell that expresses a CAR against the Her2 tumor antigen, and a T-cell receptor (TCR) specific for gp100. As gp100 is also known as pMEL, the dual-specific CAR T cells are thus denoted as CARaMEL cells. A vaccine containing live vaccinia virus coding a gp100 minigene (VV-gp100) was administered to the recipient mice to stimulate CARaMEL cells. The treatment also included the histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat (Pano). RESULTS: The combination treatment enabled significant suppression of Her2+ pancreatic cancers leading to the eradication of the majority of the tumors. Besides inducing cancer cell apoptosis, Pano enhanced CAR T-cell gene accessibility and promoted CAR T-cell differentiation into central memory cells. To test the translational potential of this approach, we established a method to transduce human T cells with an anti-Her2 CAR and a gp100-TCR. The exposure of the human T cells to Pano promoted a T-cell central memory phenotype and the combination treatment of human CARaMEL cells and Pano eradicated human pancreatic cancer xenografts in mice. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that patients with pancreatic cancer could be treated using a scheme that contains dual-specific CAR T cells, a vaccine that activates the dual-specific CAR T cells through their TCR, and the administration of Pano.

MAIT cells regulate NK cell-mediated tumor immunity.

The function of MR1-restricted mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in tumor immunity is unclear. Here we show that MAIT cell-deficient mice have enhanced NK cell-dependent control of metastatic B16F10 tumor growth relative to control mice. Analyses of this interplay in human tumor samples reveal that high expression of a MAIT cell gene signature negatively impacts the prognostic significance of NK cells. Paradoxically, pre-pulsing tumors with MAIT cell antigens, or activating MAIT cells in vivo, enhances anti-tumor immunity in B16F10 and E0771 mouse tumor models, including in the context of established metastasis. These effects are associated with enhanced NK cell responses and increased expression of both IFN-γ-dependent and inflammatory genes in NK cells. Importantly, activated human MAIT cells also promote the function of NK cells isolated from patient tumor samples. Our results thus describe an activation-dependent, MAIT cell-mediated regulation of NK cells, and suggest a potential therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment.

Understanding T cell phenotype for the design of effective chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies.

Rapid advances in immunotherapy have identified adoptive cell transfer as one of the most promising approaches for the treatment of cancers. Large numbers of cancer reactive T lymphocytes can be generated ex vivo from patient blood by genetic modification to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) specific for tumor-associated antigens. CAR T cells can respond strongly against cancer cells, and adoptive transferred CAR T cells can induce dramatic responses against certain types of cancers. The ability of T cells to respond against disease depends on their ability to localize to sites, persist and exert functions, often in an immunosuppressive microenvironment, and these abilities are reflected in their phenotypes. There is currently intense interest in generating CAR T cells possessing the ideal phenotypes to confer optimal antitumor activity. In this article, we review T cell phenotypes for trafficking, persistence and function, and discuss how culture conditions and genetic makeups can be manipulated to achieve the ideal phenotypes for antitumor activities.

Cross-talk between tumors at anatomically distinct sites.

Cancer tissue is not homogenous, and individual metastases at different anatomical locations can differ from the primary tumor and from one another in both their morphology and cellular composition, even within an individual patient. Tumors are composed of cancer cells and a range of other cell types, which, together with a variety of secreted molecules, collectively comprise the tumor microenvironment (TME). Cells of the TME can communicate with each other and with distant tissues in a form of molecular cross-talk to influence their growth and function. Cross-talk between cancer cells and local immune cells is well described and can lead to the induction of local immunosuppression. Recently, it has become apparent that tumors located remotely from each other, can engage in cross-talk that can influence their responsiveness to various therapies, including immunotherapy. In this article, we review studies that describe how tumors systemically communicate with distant tissues through motile cells, extracellular vesicles, and secreted molecules that can affect their function. In addition, we summarize evidence from mouse studies and the clinic that indicate an ability of some tumors to influence the progression and therapeutic responses of other tumors in different anatomical locations.

Combined BRAF, MEK, and CDK4/6 Inhibition Depletes Intratumoral Immune-Potentiating Myeloid Populations in Melanoma.

Combined inhibition of BRAF, MEK, and CDK4/6 is currently under evaluation in clinical trials for patients with melanoma harboring a BRAFV600 mutation. While this triple therapy has potent tumor-intrinsic effects, the impact of this combination on antitumor immunity remains unexplored. Here, using a syngeneic BrafV600ECdkn2a-/-Pten-/- melanoma model, we demonstrated that triple therapy promoted durable tumor control through tumor-intrinsic mechanisms and promoted immunogenic cell death and T-cell infiltration. Despite this, tumors treated with triple therapy were unresponsive to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Flow cytometric and single-cell RNA sequencing analyses of tumor-infiltrating immune populations revealed that triple therapy markedly depleted proinflammatory macrophages and cross-priming CD103+ dendritic cells, the absence of which correlated with poor overall survival and clinical responses to ICB in patients with melanoma. Indeed, immune populations isolated from tumors of mice treated with triple therapy failed to stimulate T-cell responses ex vivo While combined BRAF, MEK, and CDK4/6 inhibition demonstrates favorable tumor-intrinsic activity, these data suggest that collateral effects on tumor-infiltrating myeloid populations may impact antitumor immunity. These findings have important implications for the design of combination strategies and clinical trials that incorporate BRAF, MEK, and CDK4/6 inhibition with immunotherapy for the treatment of patients with melanoma.

Primary and metastatic breast tumors cross-talk to influence immunotherapy responses.

The presence of a tumor can alter host immunity systematically. The immune-tumor interaction in one site may impact the local immune microenvironment in distal tissues through the circulation, and therefore influence the efficacy of immunotherapies to distant metastases. Improved understanding of the immune-tumor interactions during immunotherapy treatment in a metastatic setting may enhance the efficacy of current immunotherapies. Here we investigate the response to αPD-1/αCTLA4 and trimAb (αDR5, α4-1BB, αCD40) of 67NR murine breast tumors grown simultaneously in the mammary fat pad (MFP) and lung, a common site of breast cancer metastasis, and compared to tumors grown in isolation. Lung tumors present in isolation were resistant to both therapies. However, in MFP and lung tumor-bearing mice, the presence of a MFP tumor could increase lung tumor response to immunotherapy and decrease the number of lung metastases, leading to complete eradication of lung tumors in a proportion of mice. The MFP tumor influence on lung metastases was mediated by CD8+ T cells, as CD8+ T cell depletion abolished the difference in lung metastases. Furthermore, mice with concomitant MFP and lung tumors had increased tumor specific, effector CD8+ T cells infiltration in the lungs. Thus, we propose a model where tumors in an immunogenic location can give rise to systemic anti-tumor CD8+ T cell responses that could be utilized to target metastatic tumors. These results highlight the requirement for clinical consideration of cross-talk between primary and metastatic tumors for effective immunotherapy for cancers otherwise resistant to immunotherapy.

Novel combination immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer: potent anti-tumor effects with CD40 agonist and interleukin-15 treatment.

OBJECTIVES: With the poorest 5-year survival of all cancers, improving treatment for pancreatic cancer is one of the biggest challenges in cancer research. We sought to explore the potential of combining both priming and activation of the immune system. To achieve this, we combined a CD40 agonist with interleukin-15 and tested its potential in pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Response to this combination regimen was assessed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma mouse models, and a thorough analysis of the tumor microenvironment was performed. RESULTS: We demonstrated profound reduction in tumor growth and increased survival of mice with the majority of mice being cured when both agents were combined, including an unprecedented 8-fold dose reduction of CD40 agonist without losing any efficacy. RNAseq analysis showed involvement of natural killer (NK) cell- and T-cell-mediated anti-tumor responses and the importance of antigen-presenting cell pathways. This combination resulted in enhanced infiltration of tumors by both T cells and NK cells, as well as a striking increase in the ratio of CD8+ T cells over Tregs. We also observed a significant increase in numbers of dendritic cells (DCs) in tumor-draining lymph nodes, particularly CD103+ DCs with cross-presentation potential. A critical role for CD8+ T cells and involvement of NK cells in the anti-tumor effect was highlighted. Importantly, strong immune memory was established, with an increase in memory CD8+ T cells only when both interleukin-15 and the CD40 agonist were combined. CONCLUSION: These novel preclinical data support initiation of a first-in-human clinical trial with this combination immunotherapy strategy in pancreatic cancer.

Enhancing chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapy against cancer using a nanoemulsion-based vaccine targeting cross-presenting dendritic cells.

OBJECTIVES: Adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells is a form of cancer immunotherapy that has achieved remarkable efficacy in patients with some haematological cancers. However, challenges remain in CAR T-cell treatment of solid tumours because of tumour-mediated immunosuppression. METHODS: We have demonstrated that CAR T-cell stimulation through T-cell receptors (TCRs) in vivo can generate durable responses against solid tumours in a variety of murine models. Since Clec9A-targeting tailored nanoemulsion (Clec9A-TNE) vaccine enhances antitumour immune responses through selective activation of Clec9A+ cross-presenting dendritic cells (DCs), we hypothesised that Clec9A-TNE could prime DCs for antigen presentation to CAR T cells through TCRs and thus improve CAR T-cell responses against solid tumours. To test this hypothesis, we used CAR T cells expressing transgenic TCRs specific for ovalbumin (OVA) peptides SIINFEKL (CAROTI) or OVA323-339 (CAROTII). RESULTS: We demonstrated that the Clec9A-TNEs encapsulating full-length recombinant OVA protein (OVA-Clec9A-TNE) improved CAROT T-cell proliferation and inflammatory cytokine secretion in vitro. Combined treatment using the OVA-Clec9A-TNE and CAROT cells resulted in durable responses and some rejections of tumours in immunocompetent mice. Tumour regression was accompanied by enhanced CAROT cell proliferation and infiltration into the tumours. CONCLUSION: Our study presents Clec9A-TNE as a prospective avenue to enhance CAR T-cell efficacy for solid cancers.