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Navigating the Complex Landscape of Non-Communicable Respiratory Diseases: Emerging Challenges...
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Navigating the Complex Landscape of Non-Communicable Respiratory Diseases: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities

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 1646

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Katya Rigatto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Laboratório de Fisiologia Translacional, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Interests: hypertension; pulmonary; angiotensin; lung disease; pulmonary arterial hypertension

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue explores the complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and pathophysiological factors in non-communicable respiratory diseases, such as asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), among others. Despite their distinct manifestations, they share common pathways like inflammation, which connect their pathophysiology. Asthma involves genetic and environmental interactions leading to airway inflammation, requiring personalized treatment with emerging biomarkers and therapies. IPF and COPD are similarly affected by environmental factors such as air pollution, especially particulate matter, which exacerbates disease progression through respiratory and systemic inflammation. Recent studies indicate potential roles for the renin–angiotensin system in these diseases, offering new therapeutic targets. These conditions present significant public health challenges, incurring substantial economic costs from healthcare and productivity losses. Global challenges, such as increasing urbanization and lifestyle changes, further disrupt immune responses and compromise epithelial integrity, promoting these diseases. Understanding these pathways is essential for comprehensive strategies addressing biological and socioeconomic determinants of respiratory health. This area of research highlights the need for a multifaceted approach to managing these diseases, integrating innovative therapies and biomarker development to enhance patient outcomes and resilience amidst evolving global circumstances. We look forward to your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Katya Rigatto
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • non-communicable respiratory diseases
  • asthma
  • idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 273 KB  
Article
Effects of Antifibrotic Therapy in Patients with Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema: A US-Based Cohort Study
by Abhishek Shah, Esteban Kosak Lopez, Andrew Geller, Maanav Patel and Sadia Benzaquen
Biomedicines 2025, 13(10), 2522; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13102522 - 16 Oct 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is associated with poor outcomes. We investigated the association of antifibrotic therapy on patients with CPFE. Methods: This retrospective study included adult patients, older than 18 years, with a diagnosis of CPFE between 2015 [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is associated with poor outcomes. We investigated the association of antifibrotic therapy on patients with CPFE. Methods: This retrospective study included adult patients, older than 18 years, with a diagnosis of CPFE between 2015 and 2019 using TrinetX database. CPFE was defined as a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Propensity score matching was performed to compare baseline characteristics for CPFE patients on antifibrotic therapy (nintendanib and pirfenidone) with those not on antifibrotic therapy. The outcomes studied included all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiac event (MACE, [myocardial infarction, unstable angina]), hypoxic and hypercapnic respiratory failure, and stroke. These outcomes were compared at one-, three-, and five-year follow-ups. Results: Patients were divided into two cohorts: those on antifibrotic therapy (cohort 1, n = 861) and those without antifibrotic therapy (cohort 2, n = 861). Although not statistically significant, there was a trend towards increased mortality in cohort 1 at the 5-year follow-up (HR 1.14; CI 0.99–1.33). There was also an increased incidence of MI (HR 1.68; CI 0.88–1.47) and hypoxic respiratory failure (HR 1.17; CI 0.99–1.39). Notably, there was also a trend towards decreased incidence of stroke (HR 0.73; CI 0.51–1.05), and no difference in unstable angina (HR 0.94; CI 0.47–1.86) and hypercapnic respiratory failure (HR 0.99; CI 0.67–1.47). Conclusions: For patients with CFPE, antifibrotic use demonstrated a trend towards increased risk of mortality at 5-year follow-up, raising concerns for “sicker patient” bias. Prospective studies should be designed to include patients with CPFE and evaluate the benefits of antifibrotics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating the Complex Landscape of Non-Communicable Respiratory Diseases: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities)
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15 pages, 2435 KB  
Article
Localization and Expression of Renin–Angiotensin System Receptors in Lung from Transplant Patients: A Case-Control Study
by Andresa Thomé Silveira, Lucas Sagrillo Fagundes, Juliane Flor, Isabel Amaral Martins, Laura Bastos Otero, Laura Tibola Marques da Silva, Lorenzo Santana Maciel, Sarah Eller, Giuliano Rizzotto Guimarães, Fabíola Adelia Perin, Márcia Rosângela Wink and Katya Rigatto
Biomedicines 2025, 13(9), 2312; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13092312 - 21 Sep 2025
Viewed by 505
Abstract
Objective: We aimed to assess the expression and localization of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) receptors in lung tissue and the plasma concentration of related peptides in IPF patients. Materials and Methods: This case–control study involved 19 patients from southern Brazil undergoing lung [...] Read more.
Objective: We aimed to assess the expression and localization of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) receptors in lung tissue and the plasma concentration of related peptides in IPF patients. Materials and Methods: This case–control study involved 19 patients from southern Brazil undergoing lung resection or transplantation. Plasma levels of Angiotensin I, II, A, 1-7, Alamandine were measured via liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Lung tissue expression and localization of angiotensin type 1 (AT1), Mas, and Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptor D (MrgD) receptors were evaluated using Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Clinical data and the 6-min walk test were analyzed to correlate receptor expression with lung function and oxygen dependence. Results: IPF patients showed reduced forced vital capacity (FVC) at 49 ± 13% and forced expiratory volume (FEV1) at 51 ± 14%, with a 60% increase in oxygen dependence. Plasma peptide concentrations were similar between the groups, except for Angiotensin I, which was significantly higher in the control group. In IPF lungs, AT1 and Mas receptors were expressed 2.31 and 2.13 times more, respectively, while MrgD expression was lower. Mas receptors were mostly found in bronchiole areas, whereas MrgD was predominant in the lung parenchyma. Conclusions: This study indicates that the RAS operates independently within tissue, in addition to its systemic functions, highlighting distinct differences between tissue and plasma RAS activities. The distinct roles of MrgD and Mas receptors in lung structure and function could be pivotal for new therapies, potentially leading to more effective IPF treatments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating the Complex Landscape of Non-Communicable Respiratory Diseases: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities)
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