Correcting dysbiosis in the lungs of COPD, one pathogen at a time

In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Liang et al. demonstrate through genomic analysis of the sputum microbiome from COPD patients and preclinical models that Staphylococcus aureus promotes lung function decline via regulation of homocysteine levels. Homocysteine can promote lung injury by promoting neutrophil apoptosis-to-NETosis shift via AKT1-S100A8/A9 axis. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Liang et al. demonstrate through genomic analysis of the sputum microbiome from COPD patients and preclinical models that Staphylococcus aureus promotes lung function decline via regulation of homocysteine levels. Homocysteine can promote lung injury by promoting neutrophil apoptosis-to-NETosis shift via AKT1-S100A8/A9 axis. Airway dysbiosis accelerates lung function decline in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseLiang et al.Cell Host & MicrobeMay 18, 2023In BriefAirway dysbiosis is associated with accelerated lung function decline, a hallmark feature in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Staphylococcus aureus impairs lung function via the homocysteine-AKT1-S100A8/A9 axis in emphysema mice, which can be rescued by bacteriophage targeting of this bacterium. These findings imply a translational application to slow COPD progression by targeting the microbiome. Full-Text PDF