Publications
16 results found
Wortley MA, Bonvini SJ, 2019, TGFβ1 - a novel cause of resistance to bronchodilators in asthma?, American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, Vol: 61, ISSN: 1044-1549
Schleich F, Bikov A, Mathioudakis AG, et al., 2019, Research highlights from the 2018 European Respiratory Society International Congress: airway disease., ERJ Open Research, Vol: 5, ISSN: 2312-0541
The annual European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress (held in Paris in 2018) was once again a platform for discussion of the highest-quality scientific research, cutting-edge techniques and innovative new therapies within the respiratory field. This article discusses only some of the high-quality research studies presented at this year's Congress, with a particular focus on airway diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis and cough, as presented through Assembly 5 of the ERS (Airway Diseases: Asthma and COPD). The authors establish the key take-home messages of these studies, compare their findings and place them in the context of current understanding.
Andersson C, Bonvini SJ, Horvath P, et al., 2018, Research highlights from the 2017 ERS International Congress: airway diseases in focus, ERJ Open Research, Vol: 4, ISSN: 2312-0541
For another year, high-quality research studies from around the world transformed the annual ERS International Congress into a vivid platform to discuss trending research topics, to produce new research questions and to further push the boundaries of respiratory medicine and science. This article reviews only some of the high-quality research studies on asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis and chronic cough that were presented during the congress through the Airway Diseases Assembly (ERS Assembly 5) and places them into the context of current knowledge and research challenges.
Wortley MA, Adcock JJ, Dubuis ED, et al., 2017, Targeting fatty acid amide hydrolase as a therapeutic strategy for antitussive therapy, European Respiratory Journal, Vol: 50, Pages: 1-11, ISSN: 0903-1936
Cough is the most common reason to visit a primary care physician, yet it remains an unmet medical need. Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is an enzyme that breaks down endocannabinoids, and inhibition of FAAH produces analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Cannabinoids inhibit vagal sensory nerve activation and the cough reflex, so it was hypothesised that FAAH inhibition would produce antitussive activity via elevation of endocannabinoids.Primary vagal ganglia neurons, tissue bioassay, in vivo electrophysiology and a conscious guinea pig cough model were utilised to investigate a role for fatty acid amides in modulating sensory nerve activation in vagal afferents.FAAH inhibition produced antitussive activity in guinea pigs with concomitant plasma elevation of the fatty acid amides N-arachidonoylethanolamide (anandamide), palmitoylethanolamide, N-oleoylethanolamide and linoleoylethanolamide. Palmitoylethanolamide inhibited tussive stimulus-induced activation of guinea pig airway innervating vagal ganglia neurons, depolarisation of guinea pig and human vagus, and firing of C-fibre afferents. These effects were mediated via a cannabinoid CB2/Gi/o-coupled pathway and activation of protein phosphatase 2A, resulting in increased calcium sensitivity of calcium-activated potassium channels.These findings identify FAAH inhibition as a target for the development of novel, antitussive agents without the undesirable side-effects of direct cannabinoid receptor agonists.
Bonvini SJ, Belvisi MG, 2017, Cough and airway disease: the role of ion channels, Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vol: 47, Pages: 21-28, ISSN: 1094-5539
Cough is the most common reason for patients to visit a primary care physician, yet it remains an unmet medical need. It can be idiopathic in nature but can also be a troublesome symptom across chronic lung diseases such as asthma, COPD and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Chronic cough affects up to 12% of the population and yet there are no safe and effective therapies. The cough reflex is regulated by vagal, sensory afferent nerves which innervate the airway. The Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) family of ion channels are expressed on sensory nerve terminals, and when activated can evoke cough. This review focuses on the role of 4 TRP channels; TRP Vannilloid 1 (TRPV1), TRP Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), TRP Vannilloid 4 (TRPV4) and TRP Melastatin 8 (TRPM8) and the purinergic P2X3 receptor and their possible role in chronic cough. We conclude that these ion channels, given their expression profile and their role in the activation of sensory afferents and the cough reflex, may represent excellent therapeutic targets for the treatment of respiratory symptoms in chronic lung disease.
Robinson RK, Birrell MA, Adcock JJ, et al., 2017, Mechanistic link between diesel exhaust particles and respiratory reflexes, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Vol: 141, Pages: 1074-1084.e9, ISSN: 1097-6825
BackgroundDiesel exhaust particles (DEPs) are a major component of particulate matter in Europe's largest cities, and epidemiologic evidence links exposure with respiratory symptoms and asthma exacerbations. Respiratory reflexes are responsible for symptoms and are regulated by vagal afferent nerves, which innervate the airway. It is not known how DEP exposure activates airway afferents to elicit symptoms, such as cough and bronchospasm.ObjectiveWe sought to identify the mechanisms involved in activation of airway sensory afferents by DEPs.MethodsIn this study we use in vitro and in vivo electrophysiologic techniques, including a unique model that assesses depolarization (a marker of sensory nerve activation) of human vagus.ResultsWe demonstrate a direct interaction between DEP and airway C-fiber afferents. In anesthetized guinea pigs intratracheal administration of DEPs activated airway C-fibers. The organic extract (DEP-OE) and not the cleaned particles evoked depolarization of guinea pig and human vagus, and this was inhibited by a transient receptor potential ankyrin-1 antagonist and the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, major constituents of DEPs, were implicated in this process through activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and subsequent mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, which is known to activate transient receptor potential ankyrin-1 on nociceptive C-fibers.ConclusionsThis study provides the first mechanistic insights into how exposure to urban air pollution leads to activation of guinea pig and human sensory nerves, which are responsible for respiratory symptoms. Mechanistic information will enable the development of appropriate therapeutic interventions and mitigation strategies for those susceptible subjects who are most at risk.
Grace MS, Bonvini SJ, Belvisi MG, et al., 2017, Modulation of the TRPV4 ion channel as a therapeutic target for disease., Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vol: 177, Pages: 9-22, ISSN: 0163-7258
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) is a broadly expressed, polymodally gated ion channel that plays an important role in many physiological and pathophysiological processes. TRPV4 knockout mice and several synthetic pharmacological compounds that selectively target TRPV4 are now available, which has allowed detailed investigation in to the therapeutic potential of this ion channel. Results from animal studies suggest that TRPV4 antagonism has therapeutic potential in oedema, pain, gastrointestinal disorders, and lung diseases such as cough, bronchoconstriction, pulmonary hypertension, and acute lung injury. A lack of observed side-effects in vivo has prompted a first-in-human trial for a TRPV4 antagonist in healthy participants and stable heart failure patients. If successful, this would open up an exciting new area of research for a multitude of TRPV4-related pathologies. This review will discuss the known roles of TRPV4 in disease, and highlight the possible implications of targeting this important cation channel for therapy.
Belvisi MG, 2016, Transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 4 and airway, sensory afferent activation: role of adenosine triphosphate, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Vol: 138, Pages: 249-261.e12, ISSN: 1097-6825
BackgroundSensory nerves innervating the airways play an important role in regulating various cardiopulmonary functions, maintaining homeostasis under healthy conditions and contributing to pathophysiology in disease states. Hypo-osmotic solutions elicit sensory reflexes, including cough, and are a potent stimulus for airway narrowing in asthmatic patients, but the mechanisms involved are not known. Transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 4 (TRPV4) is widely expressed in the respiratory tract, but its role as a peripheral nociceptor has not been explored.ObjectiveWe hypothesized that TRPV4 is expressed on airway afferents and is a key osmosensor initiating reflex events in the lung.MethodsWe used guinea pig primary cells, tissue bioassay, in vivo electrophysiology, and a guinea pig conscious cough model to investigate a role for TRPV4 in mediating sensory nerve activation in vagal afferents and the possible downstream signaling mechanisms. Human vagus nerve was used to confirm key observations in animal tissues.ResultsHere we show TRPV4-induced activation of guinea pig airway–specific primary nodose ganglion cells. TRPV4 ligands and hypo-osmotic solutions caused depolarization of murine, guinea pig, and human vagus and firing of Aδ-fibers (not C-fibers), which was inhibited by TRPV4 and P2X3 receptor antagonists. Both antagonists blocked TRPV4-induced cough.ConclusionThis study identifies the TRPV4-ATP-P2X3 interaction as a key osmosensing pathway involved in airway sensory nerve reflexes. The absence of TRPV4-ATP–mediated effects on C-fibers indicates a distinct neurobiology for this ion channel and implicates TRPV4 as a novel therapeutic target for neuronal hyperresponsiveness in the airways and symptoms, such as cough.
Belvisi MG, Birrell MA, Khalid S, et al., 2016, Neurophenotypes in airway diseases: insights from translational cough studies, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Vol: 193, Pages: 1364-1372, ISSN: 1535-4970
Rationale: Most airway diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are associated with excessive coughing. The extent to which this may be a consequence of increased activation of vagal afferents by pathology in the airways (e.g. inflammatory mediators, excessive mucus) or an altered neuronal phenotype is unknown. Understanding whether respiratory diseases are associated with dysfunction of airway sensory nerves has the potential to identify novel therapeutic targets. Objectives: To assess the changes in cough responses to a range of inhaled irritants in COPD, and model these in animals to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cough responses to inhaled stimuli in patients with COPD, healthy smokers, refractory chronic cough, asthma and healthy volunteers were assessed and compared with vagus/airway nerve and cough responses in a cigarette smoke (CS) exposure guinea-pig model. Measurements and Main Results: Patients with COPD had heightened cough responses to capsaicin but reduced responses to PGE2 compared with healthy volunteers. Furthermore, the different patient groups all exhibited different patterns of modulation of cough responses. Consistent with these findings, capsaicin caused a greater number of coughs in CS-exposed guinea-pigs than in controls; similar increased responses were observed in ex-vivo vagus nerve and neuron cell bodies in the vagal ganglia. However, responses to PGE2 were decreased by CS-exposure. Conclusions: CS exposure is capable of inducing responses consistent with phenotypic switching in airway sensory nerves comparable to the cough responses observed in patients with COPD. Moreover, the differing profiles of cough responses support the concept of disease-specific neuro-phenotypes in airway disease.
Maher SA, Birrell MA, Adcock JJ, et al., 2015, Prostaglandin D-2 and the role of the DP1, DP2 and TP receptors in the control of airway reflex events, European Respiratory Journal, Vol: 45, Pages: 1108-1118, ISSN: 0903-1936
Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) causes cough and levels are increased in asthma suggesting that it may contribute to symptoms. Although the prostaglandin D2 receptor 2 (DP2) is a target for numerous drug discovery programmes little is known about the actions of PGD2 on sensory nerves and cough.We used human and guinea pig bioassays, in vivo electrophysiology and a guinea pig conscious cough model to assess the effect of prostaglandin D2 receptor (DP1), DP2 and thromboxane receptor antagonism on PGD2 responses.PGD2 caused cough in a conscious guinea pig model and an increase in calcium in airway jugular ganglia. Using pharmacology and receptor-deficient mice we showed that the DP1 receptor mediates sensory nerve activation in mouse, guinea pig and human vagal afferents. In vivo, PGD2 and a DP1 receptor agonist, but not a DP2 receptor agonist, activated single airway C-fibres. Interestingly, activation of DP2 inhibited sensory nerve firing to capsaicin in vitro and in vivo.The DP1 receptor could be a therapeutic target for symptoms associated with asthma. Where endogenous PGD2 levels are elevated, loss of DP2 receptor-mediated inhibition of sensory nerves may lead to an increase in vagally associated symptoms and the potential for such adverse effects should be investigated in clinical studies with DP2 antagonists.
Bonvini SJ, Birrell MA, Smith JA, et al., 2015, Targeting TRP channels for chronic cough: from bench to bedside, NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY, Vol: 388, Pages: 401-420, ISSN: 0028-1298
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- Citations: 47
Birrell MA, Bonvini SJ, Wortley MA, et al., 2015, The role of adenylyl cyclase isoform 6 in beta-adrenoceptor signalling in murine airways, BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Vol: 172, Pages: 131-141, ISSN: 0007-1188
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- Citations: 5
Baker KE, Bonvini SJ, Donovan C, et al., 2014, Novel drug targets for asthma and COPD: Lessons learned from in vitro and in vivo models, PULMONARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Vol: 29, Pages: 181-198, ISSN: 1094-5539
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- Citations: 22
Birrell MA, Bonvini SJ, Dubuis E, et al., 2014, Tiotropium modulates transient receptor potential V1 (TRPV1) in airway sensory nerves: A beneficial off-target effect?, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Vol: 133, Pages: 679-687.e9, ISSN: 0091-6749
BackgroundRecent studies have suggested that the long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist tiotropium, a drug widely prescribed for its bronchodilator activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, improves symptoms and attenuates cough in preclinical and clinical tussive agent challenge studies. The mechanism by which tiotropium modifies tussive responses is not clear, but an inhibition of vagal tone and a consequent reduction in mucus production from submucosal glands and bronchodilation have been proposed.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate whether tiotropium can directly modulate airway sensory nerve activity and thereby the cough reflex.MethodsWe used a conscious cough model in guinea pigs, isolated vagal sensory nerve and isolated airway neuron tissue– and cell-based assays, and in vivo single-fiber recording electrophysiologic techniques.ResultsInhaled tiotropium blocked cough and single C-fiber firing in the guinea pig to the transient receptor potential (TRP) V1 agonist capsaicin, a clinically relevant tussive stimulant. Tiotropium and ipratropium, a structurally similar muscarinic antagonist, inhibited capsaicin responses in isolated guinea pig vagal tissue, but glycopyrrolate and atropine did not. Tiotropium failed to modulate other TRP channel–mediated responses. Complementary data were generated in airway-specific primary ganglion neurons, demonstrating that tiotropium inhibited capsaicin-induced, but not TRPA1-induced, calcium movement and voltage changes.ConclusionFor the first time, we have shown that tiotropium inhibits neuronal TRPV1-mediated effects through a mechanism unrelated to its anticholinergic activity. We speculate that some of the clinical benefit associated with taking tiotropium (eg, in symptom control) could be explained through this proposed mechanism of action.
Kojonazarov B, Luitel H, Sydykov A, et al., 2013, The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta/delta agonist GW0742 has direct protective effects on right heart hypertrophy, PULMONARY CIRCULATION, Vol: 3, Pages: 926-935, ISSN: 2045-8932
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- Citations: 18
Birrell MA, Maher SA, Buckley J, et al., 2013, Selectivity profiling of the novel EP2 receptor antagonist, PF-04418948, in functional bioassay systems: atypical affinity at the guinea pig EP2 receptor, BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Vol: 168, Pages: 129-138, ISSN: 0007-1188
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- Citations: 24
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