Biography:

Mirjam Kool has completed her PhD in 2008 at the Erasmus Medical Center, Netherlands. She did her Postdoctoral studies at the University of Ghent and at the Flemisch Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) in Belgium. She has then returned to the Erasmus Medical Center in 2011 and leading the Inflammation and Remodeling group within Pulmonary Medicine Department.

Abstract:

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disorder of unknown cause, in 90% of the cases affecting the lungs. Although the disease has been known for over 100 years, the cause and mechanisms that determine the course of disease is virtually unknown. Granuloma formation involves a coordinated role of macrophages, dendritic cells and T-cells directed to infectious agents in susceptible individuals. In particular, CD4+ T helper (Th) cells play an important role. Since IFN-γ is prominently present in lung sarcoidosis, the disease has long been known as a Th1-mediated disease. We recently have shown that IFN-γ in sarcoidosis lungs is not derived from Th1, but of so-called Th17.1 cells. Th17.1-cells include both IL-17A/IFN-γ-double-producing as well as IFNγ-single-producing CD4 T-cells. Since the discovery of IFN-γ-producing Th17-cells, in many (auto) immune-related chronic diseases it became clear that not Th1-cells, but Th17(.1)-cells are pathologic. Interestingly, increased proportions of Th17.1-cells at time of diagnosis in broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid correlated with the development of active chronic disease after a 2-year clinical follow-up. We further observed that in sarcoidosis lymph nodes and BAL specifically Th17-cells have a reduced expression of CTLA-4, a key molecule that is involved in the inhibition of Th-cell proliferation and cytokine production. Importantly, in several reported cases of anti-CTLA-4 treatment, sarcoid-like granuloma lesions occurred and progressed during biotherapy employment and disappeared after drug discontinuation. Collectively, these data strongly indicate a crucial role of Th17-lineage cells in sarcoidosis pathogenesis. Insight into pathobiological mechanisms driving sarcoidosis might ultimately lead to new therapeutic targets.

Biography:

Mojtaba Abdul Roda obtained his Master’s degree in Pharmacy in 2011 and successfully applied for the NWO Mosaic grant that allowed him to do his PhD. During his PhD, he has worked at both Utrecht University as well as at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA. In 2015. Mojtaba won the Pharmacy PhD competition at Utrecht University as well as the national competition later that year. Mojtaba continued researching the role of PGP in COPD in collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Bayer during his post-doc. The focus of his current work is translating the findings of his thesis into a new therapeutic for COPD.

Abstract:

COPD is defined as a disease state characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. In COPD, multiple classes of proteases are released from neutrophils in the airway compartment, including endopeptidases, serine proteases and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). We have characterized a novel neutrophil chemoattractant, proline-glycine-proline (PGP) which is derived from collagen. PGP is increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, sputum and serum of COPD patients. An acetylated form of this peptide (N-α-PGP) is also detected and demonstrates increased chemotactic properties compared to non-acetylated PGP. PGP acts as a neutrophil chemoattractant in vitro and induces neutrophilic inflammation when instilled into the airways of mice in vivo. PGP is known to act on CXC receptors 1 and 2 (CXCR1, CXCR2) on neutrophils due to a structural homology with ELR+ chemokines, such as interleukin-8 (IL-8). Chronic N-α-PGP administration into murine airways for 12 weeks at biweekly intervals leads to the development of neutrophilic airway inflammation, alveolar enlargement and right ventricular hypertrophy, all of which are features of COPD. The degree of alveolar enlargement is similar to that seen with mice exposed to cigarette smoke 6 times per week for 24 weeks. Generation of PGP occurs via initial cleavage of collagen by matrix metalloproteases (MMP-8, MMP-9) and subsequently by prolylendopeptidase (PE). This occurs when there is some initial insult to the epithelial layer, which leads to an exposure of collagen. Collagen is then cleaved by MMP-8 and/or -9 into fragments. PE further degrades the fragments into the tripeptide PGP. It has been shown that all three enzymes, MMP-8, 9 and PE are found in neutrophils and are present in COPD serum and sputum. The experimental and clinical therapeutical possibilities for COPD in the cascade of PGP generation will be highlighted during the presentation.

Biography:

Faisal Younis has completed his MBBS from Karachi in 2011 and completed Internship from Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. He has completed Postgraduate training in Pulmonology and TB from Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. Currently he is working as In-Charge of Pulmonology and TB Unit at Mufti Mehmood Memorial Teaching Hospital Dera Ismail Khan. He is also the In-Charge of PMDT (Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant TB) site and BSL-2 (Bio Safety level 2) culture lab Mufti Mehmood Memorial Teaching Hospital. He is the regional Coordinator (southern regions) for all TB related activities.

Abstract:

Multi drug resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an epidemiological issue and treatment outcomes are often unsuccessful as compared to susceptible TB. Pakistan is at 4^th among MDR-TB burden countries however little information is available about management and treatment outcomes of MDR-TB in Pakistan. In this study we assess management and predictors of poor treatment outcomes among MDR-TB patients enrolled in the study site. In the current retrospective cohort study, 254 MDR-TB patients registered at the Programmatic Management of Drug resistant TB (PMDT) Unit of Mufti Mehmmod Memorial Teaching Hospital (MMMTH) Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, between 23^rd October 2013 and December 2015 were included. Patients were followed until an outcome was recorded or May 2016. Analysis of data was performed using SPSS version 18, a special Performa was used for collection of data. Out of 254 patients, treatment outcome was available for 124 patients, 66 (53.2%) were cured, 10 (8.1%) defaulted, 8 (6.4%) treatment failure and 40 (32.3%) died. In univariate regression analysis, predictors of unsuccessful outcomes were rural area patients (odd ratio (OR)=0.417; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.18-0.937; p=0.03), age >44 years (OR=0.250; 95% CI: 0.114-0.119; p=0.001), resistant to oflaxacin (OFX) (OR=2.944; 95% CI: 1.361-6.365; p=0.005), second line drugs resistant (SLDs) patients (OR=3.441; 95% CI: 1.579-7.497; p=0.001) and lung cavitations (OR=0.22; 95% CI: 0.007-0.067; p=0.001), while in multivariate regression analysis, predictors of poor outcomes (failure, default and death) were age >40 years (OR=0.249; 95% CI: 0.075-0.828; p=0.023), lung cavitations (OR=0.022; 95% CI: 0.007-0.072; p=0.000) and rural area patients (OR=0.143; 95% CI:0.052-0.772; p=0.032). In the present study treatment outcomes was encouraging, however should receive special attention to the particular predictors of unsuccessful treatment outcomes for better management of MDR-TB. Early diagnosis and management of mild adverse effects can help prevent regimen modification and may improve in treatment outcomes.

Biography:

Ren Jianjun is currently pursuing his PhD in Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, China. His research interest is immunology.

Abstract:

Background: Different delivery modes may affect the susceptibility to allergic diseases. It is still unknown whether early intervention with probiotics would counteract this effect.

Objectives: The effect of different delivery modes on immune status and nasal symptoms was investigated on established allergic rhinitis (AR) mouse model. In addition, the immunoregulatory effects and mechanisms of different feeding manners with Bifidobacterium breve (B. breve) were examined.

Methods: Live lyophilized B. breve was orally administered to BALB/c mice born via vaginal delivery (VD) or cesarean delivery (CD) for 8 consecutive weeks, after which they were sensitized by ovalbumin (OVA) to establish experimental AR. Nasal symptoms, serum immunoglobulins, cytokines, splenic percentages of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T (Treg) cells and nasal eosinophil infiltration were evaluated.

Results: Compared with VD mice, mice delivered via CD demonstrated more serious nasal symptoms, higher concentrations of OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E, more nasal eosinophils and lower percentages of splenic CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺Treg cells after establishing experimental AR. These parameters were reversed by administering B. breve shortly after birth. However, the effect of B. breve did not differ between different delivery modes.

Conclusion: CD aggravates the nasal symptoms of AR mice compared to VD. This is the first report that oral administration of B. breve shortly after birth can significantly alleviate the symptoms of AR mice born via both deliveries, probably via activation of the regulatory capacity of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺Treg cells.

 

Biography:

Wang Jing is currently pursuing MD from West China Medical School, Sichuan University, China.

Abstract:

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a highly prevalent disease; it affects approximately 2-16% of the adult population. The prevalence of CRS is higher in patients with comorbid diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and environmental allergies. The risk factors for chronic rhinosinusitis focus on genetic, comorbid diseases and environmental factors. In recent years, some studies indicated that laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) was the potential risk factor for CRS. LPR is a form of extra-esophageal reflux (EER). The diagnosis methods for LPR include Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), Reflux Findings Score (RFS) and Ambulatory 24 hour double pH probe monitoring. The pathogenesis mechanism is between LPR and CRS was still controversial. Some researchers had shown that anti-reflux treatment could improve the syndrome of CRS patients. Further studies are needed to explore the relationship between LPR and CRS.

Biography:

Mohammad Reza Siavashi is currently working at the Department of Parasitology, Pasteur Institute of Iran. His research interest is immunology and infection. He has published many articles in reputed journals.

Abstract:

The potential roles of specific antibodies of different immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses and IgE in serological diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis (CE) were investigated by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on Antigen 5 (Ag5). Presence of IgG1 was demonstrated in all sera from 58 patients with CE. The most discriminatory and specific antibodies found in this study belonged to IgG4 and IgE. Only one false-positive reaction was observed with IgG4 and no IgE cross-reactivity occurred with 40 sera from healthy controls. In 36 sera from patients infected by parasites other than CE two false-positive reactions with IgG4 were observed but none occurred with IgE. In immunoblotting, it was shown that IgG1 subclass was responsible for cross-reactivity of human antibodies that reacted with a 38 kDa subunit of Ag5. IgG4 and IgE antibodies could not recognize 38 kDa of subunit and under non-reducing conditions reacted with the 57 kDa of subunit without any cross-reactivity to other parasites. The results demonstrated that IgG4 and IgE are the most important antibodies for serological diagnosis of hydatid cyst in an Ag5 bases immunoassay system.