Ciliary dysfunction linked to bronchopulmonary dysplasia severity, suggests research

Cilia work by “beating,” or moving in coordinated pulses to propel mucus out of the body. Dysfunctional mucociliary clearance is known to be linked to recurrent infections and progressive lung damage, Dr. Yassa noted.

For the new, retrospective study, researchers used high-speed video microscopy to observe nasal samples from nine infants with BPD, analyzing four recordings for each patient. The team found a distinct reduction in the angle and amplitude of cilia beats in patients with severe BPD, compared to those with more moderate disease.

The findings provide new insights into the mechanisms that influence BPD severity and point to a potential role of mucociliary clearance in the development of the disease, Dr. Yassa said.

“This potentially allows us to have a better understanding of the disease process, which can affect all aspects of clinical care,” he said. The findings could potentially point to new therapeutic targets, help classify BPD diagnoses, or lead to other advances in managing BPD.

Next, the researchers hope to continue with follow-up studies.

“Future research with larger cohorts and advanced imaging modalities is warranted to further elucidate the implications of ciliary dynamics and physical properties on clinical outcomes in patients with BPD,” he added.