Plasma Levels of the Bioactive Sphingolipid Metabolite S1P in Adult Cystic Fibrosis Patients: Potential Target for Immunonutrition?

Recent research has linked sphingolipid (SL) metabolism with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) activity, affecting bioactive lipid mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). We hypothesize that loss of CFTR function in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients influenced plasma S1P levels. Total and unbound plasma S1P levels were measured in 20 lung-transplanted adult CF patients and 20 healthy controls by mass spectrometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). S1P levels were correlated with CFTR genotype, routine laboratory parameters, lung function and pathogen colonization, and clinical symptoms. Compared to controls, CF patients showed lower unbound plasma S1P, whereas total S1P levels did not differ. A positive correlation of total and unbound S1P levels was found in healthy controls, but not in CF patients. Higher unbound S1P levels were measured in ΔF508-homozygous compared to ΔF508-heterozygous CF patients (p = 0.038), accompanied by higher levels of HDL in ΔF508-heterozygous patients. Gastrointestinal symptoms were more common in ΔF508 heterozygotes compared to ΔF508 homozygotes. This is the first clinical study linking plasma S1P levels with CFTR function and clinical presentation in adult CF patients. Given the emerging role of immunonutrition in CF, our study might pave the way for using S1P as a novel biomarker and nutritional target in CF

Cystic Fibrosis Related Liver Disease—Another Black Box in Hepatology

Due to improved medical care, life expectancy in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) has veritably improved over the last decades. Importantly, cystic fibrosis related liver disease (CFLD) has become one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in CF patients. However, CFLD might be largely underdiagnosed and diagnostic criteria need to be refined. The underlying pathomechanisms are largely unknown, and treatment strategies with proven efficacy are lacking. This review focuses on current invasive and non-invasive diagnostic standards, the current knowledge on the pathophysiology of CFLD, treatment strategies, and possible future developments

European Radiology / The Efficacy of MRI in the diagnostic workup of cystic fibrosis-associated liver disease : A clinical observational cohort study

Purpose To identify independent imaging features and establish a diagnostic algorithm for diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF)-associated liver disease (CFLD) in CF patients compared to controls using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. Methods A total of 90 adult patients were enrolled: 50 with CF, 40 controls. The CF group was composed of two subgroups: a retrospective test subgroup (n = 33) and a prospective validation subgroup (n = 17). Controls (patients with normal liver enzymes and only benign focal liver lesions) were divided accordingly (27:13). MRI variables, including quantitative and qualitative parameters, were used to distinguish CFLD from controls using clinical symptoms, laboratory tests and Debray criteria. Disease severity was classified according to Child-Pugh and Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) scores. Fifteen qualitative single-lesion CF descriptors were defined. Two readers independently evaluated the images. Univariate statistical analysis was performed to obtain significant imaging features that differentiate CF patients from controls. Through multivariate analysis using chi-squared automatic interaction detector (CHAID) methodology the most important descriptors were identified. Diagnostic performance was assessed by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results Three independent imaging descriptors distinguished CFLD from controls: (1) presence of altered gallbladder morphology; (2) periportal tracking; and (3) periportal fat deposition. Prospective validation of the classification algorithm demonstrated a sensitivity of 94.1% and specificity of 84.6% for discriminating CFLD from controls. Disease severity was well associated with the imaging features. Conclusions A short unenhanced MRI protocol can identify the three cardinal imaging features of CFLD. The hepatobiliary phase of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI can define CFLD progression.(VLID)362009

Supplementary Tables -Supplemental material for Impact of nutritional status on pulmonary function after lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis

<p>Supplemental material, Supplementary Tables for Impact of nutritional status on pulmonary function after lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis by Katharina Staufer, Emina Halilbasic, Peter Hillebrand, Solveig Harm, Stefan Schwarz, Peter Jaksch, Danijel Kivaranovic, Walter Klepetko, Michael Trauner and Lili Kazemi-Shirazi in United European Gastroenterology Journal</p

Supplementary Figure -Supplemental material for Impact of nutritional status on pulmonary function after lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis

<p>Supplemental material, Supplementary Figure for Impact of nutritional status on pulmonary function after lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis by Katharina Staufer, Emina Halilbasic, Peter Hillebrand, Solveig Harm, Stefan Schwarz, Peter Jaksch, Danijel Kivaranovic, Walter Klepetko, Michael Trauner and Lili Kazemi-Shirazi in United European Gastroenterology Journal</p

Expanded allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Cx601) for complex perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease: a phase 3 randomised, double-blind controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Complex perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease are challenging to treat. Allogeneic, expanded, adipose-derived stem cells (Cx601) are a promising new therapeutic approach. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of Cx601 for treatment-refractory complex perianal fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease. METHODS: We did this randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study at 49 hospitals in seven European countries and Israel from July 6, 2012, to July 27, 2015. Adult patients (≥18 years) with Crohn's disease and treatment-refractory, draining complex perianal fistulas were randomly assigned (1:1) using a pre-established randomisation list to a single intralesional injection of 120 million Cx601 cells or 24 mL saline solution (placebo), with stratification according to concomitant baseline treatment. Treatment was administered by an unmasked surgeon, with a masked gastroenterologist and radiologist assessing the therapeutic effect. The primary endpoint was combined remission at week 24 (ie, clinical assessment of closure of all treated external openings that were draining at baseline, and absence of collections >2 cm of the treated perianal fistulas confirmed by masked central MRI). Efficacy was assessed in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and modified ITT populations; safety was assessed in the safety population. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01541579. FINDINGS: 212 patients were randomly assigned: 107 to Cx601 and 105 to placebo. A significantly greater proportion of patients treated with Cx601 versus placebo achieved combined remission in the ITT (53 of 107 [50%] vs 36 of 105 [34%]; difference 15·2%, 97·5% CI 0·2-30·3; p=0·024) and modified ITT populations (53 of 103 [51%] vs 36 of 101 [36%]; 15·8%, 0·5-31·2; p=0·021). 18 (17%) of 103 patients in the Cx601 group versus 30 (29%) of 103 in the placebo group experienced treatment-related adverse events, the most common of which were anal abscess (six in the Cx601 group vs nine in the placebo group) and proctalgia (five vs nine). INTERPRETATION: Cx601 is an effective and safe treatment for complex perianal fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease who did not respond to conventional or biological treatments, or both. FUNDING: TiGenix.publisher: Elsevier articletitle: Expanded allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Cx601) for complex perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease: a phase 3 randomised, double-blind controlled trial journaltitle: The Lancet articlelink: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31203-X associatedlink: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31209-0 content_type: article copyright: © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.status: publishe