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Novel Insights into Molecular Mechanisms of Pulmonary Pathology

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Guest Editor
Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Regenerative Medicine, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
Interests: pulmonary disease

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The pulmonary system comprises one of the most vital systems in the human body, playing a crucial role in gas exchange and mucosal barrier integrity. Pathological conditions affecting the pulmonary system can have severe consequences. Diseases such as pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and, most importantly, lung cancer can lead to significantly compromised lung function, a shortened lifespan, and, if not adequately managed, result in death. These diseases stem from various causes, including acute or chronic infections (bacterial, viral, and fungal), exposure to environmental pollutants (such as tobacco smoke, occupational exposures, and air pollution), genetic predispositions, and immune system dysfunctions. The underlying mechanisms of these pulmonary diseases often involve an intricate interplay between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. A comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms of pulmonary pathology is crucial for improving the clinical detection of and developing therapeutic interventions for pulmonary diseases.

In this Special Issue, we invite any reviews, research articles, and case reports regarding the molecular mechanisms of any of the aforementioned pulmonary diseases. Join us in advancing the field by shedding light on the molecular intricacies of pulmonary diseases in this Special Issue.

Dr. Qiaozhen Liu
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • fibrosis
  • infection
  • COPD
  • asthma
  • IPF
  • pneumonia
  • lung cancer
  • molecular mechanism

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3031 KiB  
Article
miR-30d Levels Predict Re-Hospitalization in Patients with Acute Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema: A Preliminary Study
by Giordano Bianchi, Barbara Vizio, Ornella Bosco, Martina Schiavello, Paolo Cagna Vallino, Francesca Rumbolo, Fulvio Morello, Giulio Mengozzi, Giuseppe Montrucchio, Enrico Lupia and Emanuele Pivetta
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(3), 1278; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26031278 - 1 Feb 2025
Viewed by 661
Abstract
Acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ACPE) is a common and serious manifestation of heart failure (HF), representing 10–20% of all acute HF admissions. It is associated with elevated in-hospital mortality and high rates of re-hospitalization. MicroRs, like miR-30d, are of particular interest in heart [...] Read more.
Acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ACPE) is a common and serious manifestation of heart failure (HF), representing 10–20% of all acute HF admissions. It is associated with elevated in-hospital mortality and high rates of re-hospitalization. MicroRs, like miR-30d, are of particular interest in heart failure due to their regulatory role in gene expression and potential as biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting patient outcomes, especially in high-risk cases such as ACPE. We conducted a cohort study on patients diagnosed with ACPE in the Emergency Department (ED). The circulating levels of miR-30d were analyzed at the time of hospital admission and at one-month follow-up along with other biomarkers. We enrolled 24 ACPE patients and 10 control subjects. Median age was 80.8 years (interquartile range, IQR, 8.2) in ACPE cases, and 78.5 years (IQR 9.8) in controls with a male/female ratio of 2 and 0.66, respectively. In ACPE patients, median cardiac ejection fraction was 42.5%, creatinine 1.63 mg/dL (IQR 1.24), troponin 63.5 ng/dL (58), and NT-proBNP 4243.5 pg/mL (IQR 5846) at ED evaluation. Median concentration of miR30d was 0.81 in controls, and 3.67 and 7.28 in ACPE patients at enrollment time and one month later, respectively. Re-hospitalization occurred in 7 ACPE patients in the following 3 months, and in 9 during the following year. miR-30d had a significant predictive value in assessing the risk of re-hospitalization at both 3 months and 1 year following the initial diagnosis of ACPE, while it did not in assessing the risk of death at 1 year. When compared with the other biomarkers, none of them showed a better accuracy than miR-30d. Our findings suggest that elevated levels of miR-30d are associated with an increased rate of hospital readmission at both 3 months and 1 year after discharge. Larger, multicenter studies will be needed to confirm the validity of circulating miR-30d levels as a potential biomarker useful for risk prediction in ACPE patients and its utility in improving individualized patient care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Insights into Molecular Mechanisms of Pulmonary Pathology)
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Review

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27 pages, 2417 KiB  
Review
HIF-1α Pathway in COVID-19: A Scoping Review of Its Modulation and Related Treatments
by Felipe Paes Gomes da Silva, Rafael Matte, David Batista Wiedmer, Arthur Paes Gomes da Silva, Rafaela Makiak Menin, Fernanda Bressianini Barbosa, Thainá Aymê Mocelin Meneguzzi, Sabrina Barancelli Pereira, Amanda Terres Fausto, Larissa Klug, Bruna Pinheiro Melim and Claudio Jose Beltrão
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(9), 4202; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26094202 - 28 Apr 2025
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, driven by SARS-CoV-2, has led to a global health crisis, highlighting the virus’s unique molecular mechanisms that distinguish it from other respiratory pathogens. It is known that the Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α (HIF-1α) activates a complex network of intracellular signaling pathways [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic, driven by SARS-CoV-2, has led to a global health crisis, highlighting the virus’s unique molecular mechanisms that distinguish it from other respiratory pathogens. It is known that the Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α (HIF-1α) activates a complex network of intracellular signaling pathways regulating cellular energy metabolism, angiogenesis, and cell survival, contributing to the wide range of clinical manifestations of COVID-19, including Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS). Emerging evidence suggests that dysregulation of HIF-1α is a key driver of systemic inflammation, silent hypoxia, and pathological tissue remodeling in both the acute and post-acute phases of the disease. This scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines and registered in INPLASY. It involved a literature search in Scopus and PubMed, supplemented by manual reference screening, with study selection facilitated by Rayyan software. Our analysis clarifies the dual role of HIF-1α, which may either worsen inflammatory responses and viral persistence or support adaptive mechanisms that reduce cellular damage. The potential for targeting HIF-1α therapeutically in COVID-19 is complex, requiring further investigation to clarify its precise role and translational applications. This review deepens the molecular understanding of SARS-CoV-2-induced cellular and tissue dysfunction in hypoxia, offering insights for improving clinical management strategies and addressing long-term sequelae. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Insights into Molecular Mechanisms of Pulmonary Pathology)
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