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Journals
Biomolecules
Special Issues
Molecular Insights into Bronchiolitis Obliterans
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Molecular Insights into Bronchiolitis Obliterans

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2026 | Viewed by 646

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ralf Schubert

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pneumology, Allergology, Infectious Diseases and Gastroenterology, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Interests: immunology; pneumology; molecular biology
Dr. Silvija-Pera Jerkic

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pneumology, Allergology, Infectious Diseases and Gastroenterology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Interests: pneumology; inflammatory lung disease; bronchiolitis obliterans

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We welcome innovative experimental research exploring the molecular mechanisms and pathogenesis of bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), a chronic, irreversible lung disease characterized by severe obstruction and obliteration of the small airways. BO manifests in two entities: either after pulmonary infections (post-infectious BO, PiBO) or following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, BOS). Although distinct, PiBO and BOS share histopathological features and developmental similarities. The mechanisms driving BO remain largely unclear, and effective therapies are lacking.

This Special Issue aims to improve the understanding of lung tissue injury in BO, emphasizing in vitro and in vivo models that elucidate inflammation, fibrosis, and bronchiolar remodelling. We encourage studies providing insights into novel therapeutic approaches to improve clinical outcomes. Key focus areas include comprehensive molecular analyses such as RNA sequencing and proteomics for detailed transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of patient samples, including induced sputum. Additionally, research on epigenetic regulation, particularly the roles of microRNAs and non-coding RNAs in modulating BO pathogenesis, is of significant interest.

Prof. Dr. Ralf Schubert
Dr. Silvija-Pera Jerkic
Guest Editors

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomolecules is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 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

  • bronchiolitis obliterans (BO)
  • inflammation
  • fibrosis
  • molecular mechanisms

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 15559 KB  
Article
Transcriptome Profiling of Induced Sputum Identified Upregulated TNF-α/NF-κB Signalling and Downregulated Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Function in Post-Infectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans
by Silvija P. Jerkic, Karen Naegele, Lucia Gronau, Annika Detring, Jordis Trischler, Katharina Blümchen, Björn Rotter, Mohammed Alkhatib, Margarete Mijatovic, Andreas Weigert, Andreas G. Chiocchetti, Stefan Zielen and Ralf Schubert
Biomolecules 2026, 16(5), 745; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16050745 - 19 May 2026
Viewed by 147
Abstract
Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PiBO) is a chronic lung disease that develops after severe lower respiratory infections and leads to persistent inflammation and fibrotic changes in the small airways. In the present study, gene expression analysis was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) [...] Read more.
Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PiBO) is a chronic lung disease that develops after severe lower respiratory infections and leads to persistent inflammation and fibrotic changes in the small airways. In the present study, gene expression analysis was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in sputum cells derived from PiBO patients and compare them to healthy controls. Clinical history, lung function parameters, and induced sputum samples were collected from nine patients with PiBO and eight healthy controls. Multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) as well as mRNA sequencing (MACE-Seq) were performed. Evaluation of the biological targets was done by KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. PiBO patients showed significantly reduced lung function parameters, an increased neutrophil count, and an altered macrophage profile in sputum. Transcriptome analysis revealed significant upregulation of the TNFα-dependent NFκB signalling pathway, as well as significant downregulation of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Linear regression analyses and mIHC indicated a shift in macrophage polarisation that may contribute to the dysregulated gene expression. Notably, expression of these DEGs significantly correlated with FEV1 lung function. These findings indicate a central role of macrophages in the immunopathology of PiBO and contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the disease process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights into Bronchiolitis Obliterans)
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15 pages, 1225 KB  
Article
An Ex Vivo Model of Post Infectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans in Children Using Reconstituted Human Bronchial Epithelium
by Julie Mazenq, Léa Moreno, Jean-Christophe Dubus, Fabien Chuette, Louisa Goumidi, Nicoleta Panait, Pascal Chanez and Delphine Gras
Biomolecules 2026, 16(5), 736; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16050736 - 18 May 2026
Viewed by 191
Abstract
Introduction: Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) is a rare and severe chronic lung disease. Our goal was to characterize respiratory epithelium in children with PIBO, which remains unexplored, using an ex vivo model culture. Methods: Proximal bronchial biopsies from children with PIBO and reconstituted [...] Read more.
Introduction: Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) is a rare and severe chronic lung disease. Our goal was to characterize respiratory epithelium in children with PIBO, which remains unexplored, using an ex vivo model culture. Methods: Proximal bronchial biopsies from children with PIBO and reconstituted bronchial epithelium from PIBO patients (n = 3) and controls (n = 17) were analyzed using an air–liquid interface culture model. Epithelial cell composition, barrier integrity, and mediator production, including mucins, inflammatory and antiviral responses, were assessed in this pathological and functional approach. Results: Epithelial thickness was assessed in PIBO biopsies. Ex vivo reconstituted PIBO epithelia appeared to exhibit comparable cohesion and cell composition to controls. Mucin expression and secretion were likewise similar between groups. PIBO epithelial might have displayed reduced IL-33 transcript levels and decreased TSLP secretion, whereas IFN-λ1, IFN-λ2-3 and IFN-β secretion could have been elevated. No differences were detected in remodeling markers (MMP-9 and YKL-40). Conclusions: In summary, ex vivo model of PIBO epithelia suggested that the epithelium may preserve structural characteristics and mucin production, without evidence of remodeling. However, PIBO epithelial cells may have a distinct immune profile, with lower alarmin expression and higher interferon secretion. This could indicate a tendency toward enhanced antiviral response rather than structural changes. These preliminary results need to be confirmed in larger cohorts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights into Bronchiolitis Obliterans)
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