Th17 cytokines disrupt the airway mucosal barrier in chronic rhinosinusitis

Cytokine mediated changes in paracellular permeability contribute to a multitude of pathological conditions including chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of interferons and of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines on respiratory epithelium barrier function. Cytokines and interferons were applied to the basolateral side of air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures of primary human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) from CRS with nasal polyp patients. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and permeability of FITC-conjugated dextrans were measured over time. Additionally, the expression of the tight junction protein Zona Occludens-1 (ZO-1) was examined via immunofluorescence. Data was analysed using ANOVA, followed by Tukey HSD post hoc test. Our results showed that application of interferons and of Th1 or Th2 cytokines did not affect the mucosal barrier function. In contrast, the Th17 cytokines IL-17, IL-22, and IL-26 showed a significant disruption of the epithelial barrier, evidenced by a loss of TEER, increased paracellular permeability of FITC-dextrans, and discontinuous ZO-1 immunolocalisation. These results indicate that Th17 cytokines may contribute to the development of CRSwNP by promoting a leaky mucosal barrier.Mahnaz Ramezanpour, Sophia Moraitis, Jason L. P. Smith, P. J. Wormald, and Sarah Vreugd

Liposome-encapsulated ISMN: a novel nitric oxide-based therapeutic agent against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms

Background: Staphylococcus aureus in its biofilm form has been associated with recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis with significant resistance to conventional therapies. This study aims to determine if liposomal-encapsulation of a precursor of the naturally occurring antimicrobial nitric oxide (NO) enhances its desired anti-biofilm effects against S. aureus, in the hope that improving its efficacy can provide an effective topical agent for future clinical use. Methodology: S. aureus ATCC 25923 biofilms were grown in-vitro using the Minimum Biofilm Eradication Concentration (MBEC) device and exposed to 3 and 60 mg/mL of the NO donor isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN) encapsulated into different anionic liposomal formulations based on particle size (unilamellar ULV, multilamellar MLV) and lipid content (5 and 25 mM) at 24 h and 5 min exposure times. Biofilms were viewed using Live-Dead Baclight stain and confocal scanning laser microscopy and quantified using the software COMSTAT2. Results: At 3 and 60 mg/mL, ISMN-ULV liposomes had comparable and significant anti-biofilm effects compared to untreated control at 24 h exposure (p = 0.012 and 0.02 respectively). ULV blanks also had significant anti-biofilm effects at both 24 h and 5 min exposure (p = 0.02 and 0.047 respectively). At 5 min exposure, 60 mg/mL ISMN-MLV liposomes appeared to have greater anti-biofilm effects compared to pure ISMN or ULV particles. Increasing liposomal lipid content improved the anti-biofilm efficacy of both MLV and ULVs at 5 min exposure. Conclusion: Liposome-encapsulated “nitric oxide” is highly effective in eradicating S. aureus biofilms in-vitro, giving great promise for use in the clinical setting to treat this burdensome infection. Further studies however are needed to assess its safety and efficacy in-vivo before clinical translation is attempted.Camille Jardeleza, Shasha Rao, Benjamin Thierry, Pratik Gajjar, Sarah Vreugde, Clive A. Prestidge, Peter-John Wormal

Reduced innate immune response to a Staphylococcus aureus small colony variant compared to its wild-type parent strain

Background: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) small colony variants (SCVs) can survive within the host intracellular milieu and are associated with chronic relapsing infections. However, it is unknown whether host invasion rates and immune responses differ between SCVs and their wild-type counterparts. This study used a stable S. aureus SCV (WCH-SK2SCV) developed from a clinical isolate (WCH-SK2WT) in inflammation-relevant conditions. Intracellular infection rates as well as host immune responses to WCH-SK2WT and WCH-SK2SCV infections were investigated. Method: NuLi-1 cells were infected with either WCH-SK2WT or WCH-SK2SCV, and the intracellular infection rate was determined over time. mRNA expression of cells infected with each strain intra- and extra-cellularly was analyzed using a microfluidic qPCR array to generate an expression profile of thirty-nine genes involved in the host immune response. Results: No difference was found in the intracellular infection rate between WCH-SK2WT and WCH-SK2SCV. Whereas, extracellular infection induced a robust pro-inflammatory response, intracellular infection elicited a modest response. Intracellular WCH-SK2WT infection induced mRNA expression of TLR2, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL1B, IL6, and IL12) and tissue remodeling factors (MMP9). In contrast, intracellular WCH-SK2SCV infection induced up regulation of only TLR2. Conclusions: Whereas, host intracellular infection rates of WCH-SK2SCV and WCH-SK2WT were similar, WCH-SK2SCV intracellular infection induced a less widespread up regulation of pro-inflammatory and tissue remodeling factors in comparison to intracellular WCH-SK2WT infection. These findings support the current view that SCVs are able to evade host immune detection to allow their own survival.Judy J.J. Ou, Amanda J. Drilling, Clare Cooksley, Ahmed Bassiouni, Stephen P. Kidd, Alkis J. Psaltis, Peter J. Wormald and Sarah Vreugd

Staphylococcus aureus from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis show minimal genetic association between polyp and non-polyp phenotypes

Background: Staphylococcus aureus has a high prevalence in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients and is suggested to play a more etiopathogenic role in CRS patients with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), a severe form of the CRS spectrum with poorer surgical outcomes. We performed a microbial genome-wide association study (mGWAS) to investigate whether S. aureus isolates from CRS patients have particular genetic markers associated with CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) or CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). Methods: Whole genome sequencing was performed on S. aureus isolates collected from 28 CRSsNP and 30 CRSwNP patients. A mGWAS approach was employed using large-scale comparative genomics to identify genetic variation within our dataset. Results: Considerable genetic variation was observed, with >90,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) sites identified. There was little correlation with CRS subtype based on SNPs and Insertion/Delection (Indels). One indel was found to significantly correlate with CRSwNP and occurred in the promoter region of a bacitracin transport system ATP-binding protein. Additionally, two variants of the highly variable superantigen-like (SSL) proteins were found to significantly correlate with each CRS phenotype. No significant association with other virulence or antibiotic resistance genes were observed, consistent with previous studies. Conclusion: To our knowledge this study is the first to use mGWAS to investigate the contribution of microbial genetic variation to CRS presentations. Utilising the most comprehensive genome-wide analysis methods available, our results suggest that CRS phenotype may be influenced by genetic factors other than specific virulence mechanisms within the S. aureus genome

Advancements in Acoustic Drug Delivery for Paranasal Sinuses: A Comprehensive Review

Available online 27 July 2023Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) impacts patients' quality of life and healthcare costs. Traditional methods of drug delivery, such as nasal sprays and irrigation, have limited effectiveness. Acoustic Drug Delivery (ADD) using a nebulizer offers targeted delivery of drug to the sinuses, which may improve the treatment of CRS. This review examines the influence of aerosol particle characteristics, aero-acoustic parameters, inlet flow conditions, and acoustic waves on sinus drug delivery. Key findings reveal that smaller particles improve the ADD efficiency, whereas larger sizes or increased density impair it. The oscillation amplitude of the air plug in the ostium is crucial for the ADD efficiency. Introducing acoustic waves at the NC-sinus system's resonance frequency improves aerosol deposition within sinuses. Future research should address advanced models, optimizing particle characteristics, investigating novel acoustic waveforms, incorporating patient-specific anatomy, and evaluating long-term safety and efficacy. Tackling these challenges, ADD could offer more effective and targeted treatments for sinus-related conditions such as CRS.Oveis Pourmehran, Kavan Zarei, Jeremie Pourchez, Sarah Vreugde, Alkis Psaltis, Peter-John Wormal

Distribution and Inhibition of liposomes on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm

BACKGROUND Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are major pathogens in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and their biofilms have been associated with poorer postsurgical outcomes. This study investigated the distribution and anti-biofilm effect of cationic (+) and anionic (-) phospholipid liposomes with different sizes (unilamellar and multilamellar vesicle, ULV and MLV respectively) on S. aureus and P. aeruginosa biofilms. METHOD Specific biofilm models for S. aureus ATCC 25923 and P. aeruginosa ATCC 15692 were established. Liposomal distribution was determined by observing SYTO9 stained biofilm exposed to DiI labeled liposomes using confocal scanning laser microscopy, followed by quantitative image analysis. The anti-biofilm efficacy study was carried out by using the alamarBlue assay to test the relative viability of biofilm treated with various liposomes for 24 hours and five minutes. RESULTS The smaller ULVs penetrated better than larger MLVs in both S. aureus and P. aeruginosa biofilm. Except that +ULV and –ULV displayed similar distribution in S. aureus biofilm, the cationic liposomes adhered better than their anionic counterparts. Biofilm growth was inhibited at 24-hour and five-minute exposure time, although the decrease of viability for P. aeruginosa biofilm after liposomal treatment did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION The distribution and anti-biofilm effects of cationic and anionic liposomes of different sizes differed in S. aureus and P. aeruginosa biofilms. Reducing the liposome size and formulating liposomes as positively charged enhanced the penetration and inhibition of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa biofilms.Dong Dong, Nicky Thomas, Benjamin Thierry, Sarah Vreugde, Clive A. Prestidge, Peter-John Wormal

Activity of bacteriophages in removing biofilms of pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from chronic rhinosinusitis patients

Introduction: Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are prevalent amongst chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) sufferers. Many P. aeruginosa strains form biofilms, leading to treatment failure. Lytic bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect, replicate within, and lyse bacteria, causing bacterial death. Aim: To assess the activity of a phage cocktail in eradicating biofilms of ex vivo P.aeruginosa isolates from CRS patients. Methods: P. aeruginosa isolates from CRS patients with and without cystic fibrosis (CF) across three continents were multi-locus sequence typed and tested for antibiotic resistance. Biofilms grown in vitro were treated with a cocktail of four phages (CT-PA). Biofilm biomass was measured after 24 and 48 h, using a crystal violet assay. Phage titrations were performed to confirm replication of the phages. A linear mixed effects model was applied to assess the effects of treatment, time, CF status, and multidrug resistance on the biomass of the biofilm. Results: The isolates included 44 strain types. CT-PA treatment significantly reduced biofilm biomass at both 24 and 48 h post-treatment (p < 0.0001), regardless of CF status or antibiotic resistance. Biomass was decreased by a median of 76% at 48 h. Decrease in biofilm was accompanied by a rise in phage titres for all except one strain. Conclusion: A single dose of phages is able to significantly reduce biofilms formed in vitro by a range of P.aeruginosa isolates from CRS patients. This represents an exciting potential and novel targeted treatment for P. aeruginosa biofilm infections and multidrug resistant bacteria.Stephanie A. Fong, Amanda Drilling, Sandra Morales, Marjolein E. Cornet, Bradford A. Woodworth, Wytske J. Fokkens, Alkis J. Psaltis, Sarah Vreugde and Peter-John Wormal

Staphylococcus aureus biofilm properties and chronic rhinosinusitis severity scores correlate positively with total CD4+ T-cell frequencies and inversely with its Th1, Th17 and regulatory cell frequencies.

OnlinePublChronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) represents chronic inflammation of the sinus mucosa characterised by dysfunction of the sinuses' natural defence mechanisms and induction of different inflammatory pathways ranging from a Th1 to a Th2 predominant polarisation. Recalcitrant CRS is associated with Staphylococcus aureus dominant mucosal biofilms; however, S. aureus colonisation of the sinonasal mucosa has also been observed in healthy individuals challenging the significance of S. aureus in CRS pathogenesis. We aimed to investigate the relationship between CRS key inflammatory markers, S. aureus biofilm properties/virulence genes and the severity of the disease. Tissue samples were collected during endoscopic sinus surgery from the ethmoid sinuses of CRS patients with (CRSwNP) and without (CRSsNP) nasal polyps and controls (n = 59). CD3+ T-cell subset frequencies and key inflammatory markers of CD4+ helper T cells were determined using FACS analysis. Sinonasal S. aureus clinical isolates were isolated (n = 26), sequenced and grown into biofilm in vitro, followed by determining their properties, including metabolic activity, biomass, colony-forming units and exoprotein production. Disease severity was assessed using Lund-Mackay radiologic scores, Lund-Kennedy endoscopic scores and SNOT22 quality of life scores. Our results showed that S. aureus biofilm properties and CRS severity scores correlated positively with total CD4+ T-cell frequencies but looking into CD4+ T-cell subsets showed an inverse correlation with Th1 and Th17 cell frequencies. CD4+ T-cell frequencies were higher in patients harbouring lukF.PV-positive S. aureus while its regulatory and Th17 cell subset frequencies were lower in patients carrying sea- and sarT/U-positive S. aureus. Recalcitrant CRS is characterised by increased S. aureus biofilm properties in relation to increased total CD4+ helper T-cell frequencies and reduced frequencies of its Th1, Th17 and regulatory T-cell subsets. These findings offer insights into the pathophysiology of CRS and could lead to the development of more targeted therapies.Gohar Shaghayegh, Clare Cooksley, George Bouras, Roshan Nepal, Ghais Houtak, Beula Subashini Panchatcharam, Kevin Aaron Fenix, Alkis James Psaltis, Peter-John Wormald, Sarah Vreugd

An ENU-induced mutation of miR-96 associated with progressive hearing loss in mice.

Progressive hearing loss is common in the human population, but little is known about the molecular basis. We report a new N-ethyl-N-nitrosurea (ENU)-induced mouse mutant, diminuendo, with a single base change in the seed region of Mirn96. Heterozygotes show progressive loss of hearing and hair cell anomalies, whereas homozygotes have no cochlear responses. Most microRNAs are believed to downregulate target genes by binding to specific sites on their mRNAs, so mutation of the seed should lead to target gene upregulation. Microarray analysis revealed 96 transcripts with significantly altered expression in homozygotes; notably, Slc26a5, Ocm, Gfi1, Ptprq and Pitpnm1 were downregulated. Hypergeometric P-value analysis showed that hundreds of genes were upregulated in mutants. Different genes, with target sites complementary to the mutant seed, were downregulated. This is the first microRNA found associated with deafness, and diminuendo represents a model for understanding and potentially moderating progressive hair cell degeneration in hearing loss more generally

Prevention of adhesions post-abdominal surgery: Assessing the safety and efficacy of Chitogel with Deferiprone in a rat model

Introduction: Adhesions are often considered to be an inevitable consequence of abdominal and pelvic surgery, jeopardizing the medium and long-term success of these procedures. Numerous strategies have been tested to reduce adhesion formation, however, to date, no surgical or medical therapeutic approaches have been successful in its prevention. This study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of Chitogel with Deferiprone and/or antibacterial Gallium Protoporphyrin in different concentrations in preventing adhesion formation after abdominal surgery. Materials and Methods: DS: 112 adult (8-10 week old) male Wistar albino rats were subjected to midline laparotomy and caecal abrasion, with 48 rats having an additional enterotomy and suturing. Kaolin (0.005g/ml) was applied to further accelerate adhesion formation. The abrasion model rats were randomized to receive saline, Chitogel, or Chitogel plus Deferiprone (5, 10 or 20 mM), together with Gallium Protoporphyrin (250μg/mL). The abrasion with enterotomy rats were randomised to receive saline, Chitogel or Chitogel with Deferiprone (1 or 5 mM). At day 21, rats were euthanised, and adhesions graded macroscopically and microscopically; the tensile strength of the repaired caecum was determined by an investigator blinded to the treatment groups. Results: Chitogel with Deferiprone 5 mM significantly reduced adhesion formation (p<0.01) when pathologically assessed in a rat abrasion model. Chitogel with Deferiprone 5 mM and 1 mM also significantly reduced adhesions (p<0.05) after abrasion with enterotomy. Def-Chitogel 1mM treatment did not weaken the enterotomy site with treated sites having significantly better tensile strength compared to control saline treated enterotomy rats. Conclusions: Chitogel with Deferiprone 1 mM constitutes an effective preventative anti-adhesion barrier after abdominal surgery in a rat model. Moreover, this therapeutic combination of agents is safe and does not weaken the healing of the sutured enterotomy site.Rajan Sundaresan Vediappan, Catherine Bennett, Clare Cooksley, John Finnie, Markus Trochsler, Ryan D. Quarrington, Claire F. Jones, Ahmed Bassiouni, Stephen Moratti, Alkis J. Psaltis, Guy Maddern, Sarah Vreugde, P.J. Wormal