Host Serine Proteases and Antiviral Innate Immunity as Potential Therapeutic Targets in Influenza A Virus Infection-Induced COPD Exacerbations.

ABSTRACT: Lung manifestations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often exacerbated by influenza A virus infections; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown, and hence therapeutic options are limited. Using a physiologically relevant human lung airway-on-a-chip (Airway Chip) microfluidic culture model lined with human airway epithelium from COPD or healthy donors interfaced with pulmonary microvascular endothelium, we observed that Airway Chips lined with COPD epithelium exhibit an increased sensitivity to influenza virus infection, as is observed clinically in COPD patients. Differentiated COPD airway epithelial cells display increased inflammatory cytokine production, barrier function loss, and mucus accumulation upon virus infection. Transcriptomic analysis revea

SUBMITTER: Bai H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11941970 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature