Extravasation of monocytes into tissue and to the site of injury is a fundamental immunological process, which requires rapid responses via post translational modifications (PTM) of proteins. Protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7) is an epigenetic factor that has the capacity to mono-methylate histones on arginine residues. Here we show that in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, PRMT7 expression is elevated in the lung tissue and localized to the macrophages. In mouse models of COPD, lung fibrosis and skin injury, reduced expression of PRMT7 associates with decreased recruitment of monocytes to the site of injury and hence less severe symptoms. Mechanistically, activation of NF-κB/RelA in monocytes induces PRMT7 transcription and consequential mono-methylation of histones at the regulatory elements of RAP1A, which leads to increased transcription of this gene that is responsible for adhesion and migration of monocytes. Persistent monocyte-derived macrophage accumulation leads to ALOX5 over-expression and accumulation of its metabolite LTB4, which triggers expression of ACSL4 a ferroptosis promoting gene in lung epithelial cells. Conclusively, inhibition of arginine mono-methylation might offer targeted intervention in monocyte-driven inflammatory conditions that lead to extensive tissue damage if left untreated.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and has been affecting the world since the end of 2019. The disease led to significant mortality and morbidity in Turkey, since the first case was reported on March 11 th , 2020. Studies suggest a positive association between air pollution and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of ambient particulate matters (PM), as potential carriers for SARS-CoV-2. Ambient PM samples in various size ranges were collected from 13 sites including urban and urban-background locations and hospital gardens in 10 cities across Turkey between 13th of May and 14th of June 2020 to investigate the possible presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on ambient PM. A total of 203 daily samples (TSP, n=80; PM 2.5 n=33; PM 2.5-10 , n=23; PM 10 μm, n=19; and 6 size segregated PM, n=48) were collected using various samplers. The N1 gene and RdRP gene expressions were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to real time (RT)-PCR and three-dimensional digital (3D-d) PCR analysis, dual RdRP and N1 gene positivity were detected in 20 (9.8 %) samples. Ambient PM-bound SARS-CoV-2 was analyzed quantitatively and the air concentrations of the virus ranged from 0.1 copies/m 3 to 23 copies/m 3 . The highest percentages of virus detection on PM samples were from hospital gardens in Tekirdağ, Zonguldak, and Istanbul, especially in PM 2.5 mode. Findings of this study have suggested that SARS-CoV-2 may be transported by ambient particles, especially at sites close to the infection hot-spots. However, whether this has an impact on the spread of the virus infection remains to be determined.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a life-threatening lung disease. Although cigarette smoke was considered the main cause of development, the heterogeneous nature of the disease leaves it unclear whether other factors contribute to the predisposition or impaired regeneration response observed. Recently, epigenetic modification has emerged to be a key player in the pathogenesis of COPD. The addition of methyl groups to arginine residues in both histone and nonhistone proteins by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) is an important posttranslational epigenetic modification event regulating cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and senescence. Here, we hypothesize that coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase-1 (CARM1) regulates airway epithelial cell injury in COPD pathogenesis by controlling cellular senescence. Using the naphthalene (NA)-induced mouse model of airway epithelial damage, we demonstrate that loss of CC10-positive club cells is accompanied by a reduction in CARM1-expressing cells of the airway epithelium. Furthermore, Carm1 haploinsuffficent mice showed perturbed club cell regeneration following NA treatment. In addition, CARM1 reduction led to decreased numbers of antisenescent sirtuin 1-expressing cells accompanied by higher p21, p16, and β-galactosidase-positive senescent cells in the mouse airway following NA treatment. Importantly, CARM1-silenced human bronchial epithelial cells showed impaired wound healing and higher β-galactosidase activity. These results demonstrate that CARM1 contributes to airway repair and regeneration by regulating airway epithelial cell senescence.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is known as the third leading cause of human death globally. Enhanced chronic inflammation and pathological remodeling are the main consequences of COPD, leading to decreased life span. Histological and molecular investigations revealed that prominent immune cell infiltration and release of several cytokines contribute to progressive chronic remodeling. Recent investigations have revealed that exosomes belonging to extracellular vesicles are involved in the pathogenesis of COPD. It has been elucidated that exosomes secreted from immune cells are eligible to carry numerous pro-inflammatory factors exacerbating the pathological conditions. Here, in this review article, we have summarized various and reliable information about the negative role of immune cell-derived exosomes in the remodeling of pulmonary tissue and airways destruction in COPD patients.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and has been affecting the world since the end of 2019. Turkey is severely affected with the first case being reported on March 11th 2020. Ambient particulate matter (PM) samples in various size ranges were collected from 13 sites including urban and urban background locations and hospital gardens in 10 cities across Turkey between the 13th of May and the 14th of June, 2020 to investigate a possible presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on ambient PM. A total of 155 daily samples (TSP, n=80; PM2.5, n=33; PM2.5-10, n=23; PM10, n=19; and 6 size segregated, n=48) were collected using various samplers in each city. The N1 gene and RdRP gene expressions were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to RT-PCR and 3D-RT-PCR analysis, dual RdRP and N1 gene positivity were detected in 20 (9.8 %) of the samples. The highest percentage of virus detection on PM samples was from hospital gardens in Tekirdag, Zonguldak, and Istanbul, especially in PM2.5 mode. Samples collected from two urban sites were also positive. Findings of this study have suggested that SARS CoV2 may be transported by ambient particles especially at sites close to the infection hot-spots. However, whether this has an impact on the spread of the virus infection remains to be determined.