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While IκB-kinase-ε (IKKε) induces immunomodulatory genes following viral stimuli, its upregulation by inflammatory cytokines remains under-explored. Since airway epithelial cells respond to airborne insults and potentiate inflammation, IKKε expression was characterized in pulmonary epithelial cell lines (A549, BEAS-2B) and primary human bronchial epithelial cells grown as submersion or differentiated air-liquid interface cultures. IKKε expression was up-regulated by the pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα). Thus, mechanistic interrogations in A549 cells were used to demonstrate the NF-κB dependence of cytokine-induced IKKε. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation in A549 and BEAS-2B cells revealed robust recruitment of the NF-κB subunit, p65, to one 50 and two intronic regions within the IKKε locus (IKBKE). In addition, IL-1β and TNFα induced strong RNA polymerase 2 recruitment to the 50 region, the first intron, and the transcription start site. Stable transfection of the p65- binding regions into A549 cells revealed IL-1β- and TNFα-inducible reporter activity that required NF-κB, but was not repressed by glucocorticoid. While critical NF-κB motifs were identified in the 50 and downstream intronic regions, the first intronic region did not contain functional NF-κB motifs. Thus, IL-1β- and TNFα-induced IKKε expression involves three NF-κB-binding regions, containing multiple functional NF-κB motifs, and potentially other mechanisms of p65 binding through non-classical NF-κB binding motifs. By enhancing IKKε expression, IL-1β may prime, or potentiate, responses to alternative stimuli, as modelled by IKKε phosphorylation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13- acetate. However, since IKKε expression was only partially repressed by glucocorticoid, IKKε-dependent responses could contribute to glucocorticoid-resistant disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roles for the baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat-containing (BIRC) genes, BIRC2 and BIRC3, may include signaling to the inflammatory transcription factor, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and protection from cell death. However, distinct functions for each BIRC are not well-delineated. Given roles for the epithelium in barrier function and host defence, BIRC2 and BIRC3 expression was characterized in pulmonary epithelial cell lines and primary human bronchial epithelial cells (pHBECs) grown as undifferentiated cells in submersion culture (SC) or as highly differentiated cells at air-liquid interface (ALI). In A549 cells, interleukin-1β (IL1B) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) induced BIRC3 mRNA (~20-50-fold), with maximal protein expression from 6–24 h. Similar effects occurred in BEAS-2B and Calu-3 cells, as well as SC and ALI pHBECs. BIRC2 protein was readily detected in unstimulated cells, but was not markedly modulated by IL1B or TNF. Glucocorticoids (dexamethasone, budesonide) modestly increased BIRC3 mRNA and protein, but showed little effect on BIRC2 expression. In A549 cells, BIRC3 mRNA induced by IL1B was unchanged by glucocorticoids and showed supra-additivity with TNF-plus-glucocorticoid. Supra-additivity was also evident for IL1B-plus-budesonide induced-BIRC3 in SC and ALI pHBECs. Using A549 cells, IL1B- and TNF-induced BIRC3 expression, and to a lesser extent, BIRC2, was prevented by NF-κB inhibition. Glucocorticoid-induced BIRC3 expression was prevented by silencing and antagonism of the glucocorticoid receptor. Whereas TNF, but not IL1B, induced degradation of basal BIRC2 and BIRC3 protein, IL1B- and TNF-induced BIRC3 protein remained stable. Differential regulation by cytokines and glucocorticoids shows BIRC2 protein expression to be consistent with roles in rapid signaling events, whereas cytokine-induced BIRC3 may be more important in later effects. While TNF-induced degradation of both BIRCs may restrict their activity, cytokine-enhanced BIRC3 expression could prime for its function. Finally, shielding from glucocorticoid repression, or further enhancement by glucocorticoid, may indicate a key protective role for BIRC3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face training was suspended considering social-distancing norms. The training needs of the healthcare workers (HCWs) were being met by the online mode. Initially, the use of the online mode was limited but was eventually popularized with increased use. This would have led to a change in the perception toward the online mode. However, the use of online learning has financial and temporal obstacles. With this objective, a study was conducted among the HCWs to assess the perception, satisfaction, and preference associated with the modes of learning. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2021 among the HCWs. An online link to the survey was circulated among the HCWs who attended online or/and offline training. The questionnaire had 38 questions assessing the sociodemographic details, perception, satisfaction level, and preferences of the participants. Univariable and multivariate logistic regression were performed using SPSS v-22. Results: A total of 1,113 responses were received with the mean age of 33.17 ± 8.13 years and approximately 63% of the participants were females. Approximately 54% perceived the online mode of learning as a better mode of learning. Also, 67% preferred and 80.5% recommended the online mode whereas mean satisfaction was found to be more for the offline mode as compared to the online mode. Interpretation and Conclusions: The study concludes that the online mode of learning is the most preferred and recommended mode among the HCWs, whereas there is more dissatisfaction with respect to the online mode. The study also emphasizes that the instructors need to improve the practical knowledge of the learners by integrating technical modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]