Editorial
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. Sep 26, 2024; 12(27): 6011-6014
Published online Sep 26, 2024. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i27.6011
Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome immunological relationship
Mahmoud Ali, Alaa Ramadan, Salim Surani
Mahmoud Ali, Department of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Damietta 11651, Egypt
Alaa Ramadan, Department of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
Salim Surani, Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
Salim Surani, Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
Author contributions: Ali M was involved in the Literature search and writing of the manuscript; Ramadan A was involved in the writing of the manuscript; Surani S was involved in idea generation, writing, review, and supervision; All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: None of the authors have any conflict of interest to disclose.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Salim Surani, FACP, FCCP, MD, MHSc, Adjunct Professor, Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, 40 Bizzell Street, College Station, TX 77843, United States. srsurani@hotmail.com
Received: April 6, 2024
Revised: May 31, 2024
Accepted: June 14, 2024
Published online: September 26, 2024
Processing time: 115 Days and 9.3 Hours
Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a complex disorder characterized by symptoms resulting from intermittent hypoxia and hypopnea, with research indicating a crucial role of immune system dysregulation and genetic variations in its pathogenesis. A recent Zhao et al study utilizes Mendelian randomization analysis to explore the causal relationship between immune cell characteristics and OSAHS. The study identifies specific lymphocyte subsets associated with OSAHS, providing valuable insights into the disease's pathophysiology and potential targets for therapeutic intervention. The findings underscore the significance of genetic and immunological factors in sleep disorders, offering a fresh perspective on OSAHS's complexities. Compared to existing literature, Zhao et al's study stands out for its focus on genetic markers and specific immune responses associated with OSAHS, expanding upon previous research primarily centered on systemic inflammation. In conclusion, the study represents a significant advancement in the field, shedding light on the causal role of immune cells in OSAHS and paving the way for future research and targeted treatments.

Keywords: Obstructive sleep apnea; Mendelian randomization; Lymphocyte characteristics; Immunology; Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome

Core Tip: This editorial summarizes the critical findings from Zhao et al and their effect on our understanding of the disease and the immune system's role in pathogenesis. Stress the importance of scientific methodology in validating causal relationships, encouraging readers to approach the study's conclusions with a critical mindset. Highlight the need for further research to explain the underlying mechanisms and to explore potential therapeutic targets.