New Insights in Respiratory Diseases

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Translational Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 725

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Respiratory and Allergy Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine (DIMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
2. IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Interests: asthma; severe asthma; lung disease; lung physiopathology; T2 inflammation; rhinosinusitis; nasal polyps
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This compilation of articles under the Special Issue titled "New Insights in Respiratory Diseases" will serve as a vital contribution to the scientific community by advancing our understanding of respiratory pathophysiology and therapeutic intervention strategies, particularly in asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis. Contributions to this collection of valuable work will allow researchers and clinicians to share novel findings and critical analyses that challenge conventional paradigms and highlight emerging trends in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of respiratory disorders. Detailed scientific manuscripts foster interdisciplinary collaboration and cultivate a robust framework for the integration of basic science, clinical data, and translational research. High-quality manuscripts play an essential role in elucidating the complex mechanisms underlying respiratory conditions, from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to bronchiectasis. By disseminating data-driven evidence and systematic reviews, these manuscripts contribute to the optimization of patient care and the refinement of clinical guidelines. Each contribution not only documents current advancements but also identifies knowledge gaps that warrant further investigation, thereby stimulating future research directions. Furthermore, authors are instrumental in providing critical insights into the molecular, cellular, and genetic determinants of respiratory diseases. Their work supports the development of innovative diagnostic tools and personalized therapies that address patient-specific needs. The peer-reviewed nature of these articles ensures that findings meet rigorous scientific standards, thereby enhancing the credibility of the conclusions drawn. Ultimately, the aggregation of well-researched articles within this collection empowers healthcare professionals to make informed decisions, encourages the adaptation of best practices in clinical settings, and drives progress towards improved respiratory health outcomes.

Dr. Diego Bagnasco
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • asthma
  • COPD
  • bronchiectasis
  • genetic
  • therapeutics

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 9750 KiB  
Article
SIK2 Drives Pulmonary Fibrosis by Enhancing Fibroblast Glycolysis and Activation
by Jianhan He, Ruihan Dong, Huihui Yue, Fengqin Zhang, Xinran Dou, Xuan Li, Hui Li and Huilan Zhang
Biomedicines 2025, 13(8), 1919; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13081919 - 6 Aug 2025
Abstract
Background: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF), the end-stage manifestation of interstitial lung disease, is defined by excessive extracellular matrix deposition and alveolar destruction. Activated fibroblasts, the primary matrix producers, rely heavily on dysregulated glucose metabolism for their activation. While Salt Inducible Kinase 2 (SIK2) regulates [...] Read more.
Background: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF), the end-stage manifestation of interstitial lung disease, is defined by excessive extracellular matrix deposition and alveolar destruction. Activated fibroblasts, the primary matrix producers, rely heavily on dysregulated glucose metabolism for their activation. While Salt Inducible Kinase 2 (SIK2) regulates glycolytic pathways in oncogenesis, its specific contributions to fibroblast activation and therapeutic potential in PF pathogenesis remain undefined. This study elucidates the functional role of SIK2 in PF and assesses its viability as a therapeutic target. Methods: SIK2 expression/localization in fibrosis was assessed by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Fibroblast-specific Sik2 KO mice evaluated effects on bleomycin-induced fibrosis. SIK2’s role in fibroblast activation and glucose metabolism impact (enzyme expression, metabolism assays, metabolites) were tested. SIK2 inhibitors were screened and evaluated therapeutically in fibrosis models. Results: It demonstrated significant SIK2 upregulation, specifically within activated fibroblasts of fibrotic lungs from both PF patients and murine models. Functional assays demonstrated that SIK2 is crucial for fibroblast activation, proliferation, and migration. Mechanistically, SIK2 enhances fibroblast glucose metabolism by increasing the expression of glycolysis-related enzymes. Additionally, this study demonstrated that the SIK2 inhibitor YKL06-061 effectively inhibited PF in both bleomycin and FITC-induced PF mouse models with the preliminary safety profile. Furthermore, we identified a novel therapeutic application for the clinically approved drug fostamatinib, demonstrating it inhibits fibroblast activation via SIK2 targeting and alleviates PF in mice. Conclusions: Our findings highlight SIK2 as a promising therapeutic target and provide compelling preclinical evidence for two distinct anti-fibrotic strategies with significant potential for future PF treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights in Respiratory Diseases)
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12 pages, 676 KiB  
Article
Challenges Pertaining to the Optimization of Therapy and the Management of Asthma—Results from the 2023 EU-LAMA Survey
by Michał Panek, Robab Breyer-Kohansal, Paschalis Steiropoulos, Peter Kopač, Monika Knopczyk, Tomasz Dębowski, Christer Janson and Maciej Kupczyk
Biomedicines 2025, 13(8), 1877; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13081877 - 1 Aug 2025
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Abstract
Background: Treatment compliant with the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) can promote more effective disease control. Single-inhaler triple therapy (SITT) is one method that is used to optimize therapy in this context, but TRIPLE therapy is still employed by physicians to a limited [...] Read more.
Background: Treatment compliant with the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) can promote more effective disease control. Single-inhaler triple therapy (SITT) is one method that is used to optimize therapy in this context, but TRIPLE therapy is still employed by physicians to a limited extent. Objective: This study aimed to describe the factors influencing challenges in optimizing asthma therapy. Methods: A 19-question survey, created via the CATI system, was distributed among pulmonologists, allergologists, general practitioners, and internal medicine specialists in Poland, Greece, Sweden, Slovenia, and Austria. Results: Statistically significant percentage differences in the use of TRIPLE therapy in the context of asthma management were observed among countries as well as between pulmonologists, allergists, and other specialists. Overuse of oral corticosteroids (OCSs) to treat nonsevere and severe asthma in the absence of an approach that focuses on optimizing inhalation therapy among asthma patients receiving TRIPLE therapy was observed in different countries as well as among physicians with different specialties. Twenty elements associated with the challenges involved in diagnosing and managing difficult-to-treat and severe asthma were identified. Six clinical categories for the optimization of asthma therapy via SITT were highlighted. The degree of therapeutic underestimation observed among severe asthma patients was assessed by comparing actual treatment with the recommendations of the GINA 2023 guidelines. Conclusions: Physicians of various specialties in Europe are subject to therapeutic inertia in terms of their compliance with the GINA 2023 guidelines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights in Respiratory Diseases)
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