Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shah Md. Toufiqur Rahman, Wenyuan Zhou, Alexander Deiters, Jason M. Haugh
Summary: Studying stress-activated signaling is challenging due to induced adaptation and imposed selection pressure. By using an optogenetic system to express light-activated p38 alpha or its upstream activator MKK6, the functional roles of these kinases in dynamic signaling programs are clarified.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yuzhen Li, Shimiao Hui, Yaxin Yuan, Yahong Ye, Xiaohan Ma, Xiaolu Zhang, Shasha Zhang, Chunguang Zhang, Yuling Chen
Summary: Red light promotes the phosphorylation of MKK2-MPK2 cascade in guard cells, which is essential for stomatal opening. Phytochrome B (phyB) plays a positive role in mediating red light-induced stomatal opening, but the mechanism is poorly understood. Our study reveals that MKK2 and MPK2 are sequentially phosphorylated by phyB in response to red light, and this phosphorylation is necessary for stomatal opening.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chuang Cheng, Qiqi Wu, Mei Wang, Donghua Chen, Jie Li, Jianlin Shen, Shuguo Hou, Pengcheng Zhang, Li Qin, Biswa R. Acharya, Xiaoduo Lu, Wei Zhang
Summary: High temperature induces stomatal opening, but uncontrolled stomatal opening is dangerous for plants. We identified a high-temperature sensitive mutant in maize linked to a single base change in ZmMPK20 gene. The mutant exhibited increased stomatal opening and water loss rate, as well as decreased thermotolerance. Overexpression of ZmMPK20 decreased stomatal apertures, water loss rate, and enhanced plant thermotolerance.
Article
Immunology
Ewa Czerwinska, Marita Nittner-Marszalska, Robert Pawlowicz, Leszek Szenborn
Summary: Simultaneous administration of allergen immunotherapy and seasonal influenza vaccines is safe and well-tolerated, with no increase in adverse reactions. This procedure is feasible in patients with a history of systemic allergic reactions after Hymenoptera stings, and does not lead to an increase in adverse reactions.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ana Rostaher, Nina Maria Fischer, Alessio Vigani, Barbara Steblaj, Franco Martini, Salina Brem, Claude Favrot, Mitja Kosnik
Summary: This study aimed to demonstrate that venom immunotherapy (VIT) is not only safe, but also effective in treating dogs allergic to bee or wasp stings. Out of the 10 dogs treated with VIT, all of them tolerated the therapy and were able to tolerate subsequent stings.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Enkhtuya Radnaa, Lauren Richardson, Brett Goldman, Jared K. Burks, Tuvshintugs Baljinnyam, Natasha Vora, Hui-Juan Zhang, Elizabeth A. Bonney, Arum Han, Ramkumar Menon
Summary: This study investigated the impact of oxidative stress on p38 MAPK signaling and cell fate, using amnion epithelial cells. The results showed that excessive activation of p38 can have adverse effects on cell behavior and tissue homeostasis.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ana Navas, Berta Ruiz-Leon, Pilar Serrano, Manuel Marti, M. Luisa Espinazo, Nadine Blanco, Juan Molina, Corona Alonso, Aurora Jurado, Carmen Moreno-Aguilar
Summary: Bee venom immunotherapy (BVIT) is widely used to treat severe bee sting allergy. The study found that BVIT induced both tolerogenic and allergenic responses in patients, and identified potential biomarkers for treatment efficacy.
Article
Plant Sciences
Polina Yu. Kozyulina, Olga A. Pavlova, Elizaveta S. Kantsurova (Rudaya), Andrey D. Bovin, Svetlana A. Shirobokova, Aleksandra V. Dolgikh, Alina M. Dymo, Elena A. Dolgikh
Summary: The study investigated the transcriptional changes in pea roots treated with COs using RNA sequencing. It was found that there were 886 differentially expressed genes 24 hours after treatment with CO8-DA at low concentration. The findings suggest that calcium signaling regulators and MAPK cascade play a key role in pea plant responses to COs treatment.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Ajda Demsar Luzar, Peter Korosec, Mitja Kosnik, Mihaela Zidarn, Matija Rijavec
Summary: Hymenoptera venom allergy is a severe allergic disease with potentially lethal anaphylactic reactions. The protection mechanisms include early desensitization of mast cells and basophils during the build-up phase, and immune tolerance, which involves a shift from Th2 to Th1 immune response and the generation of regulatory T and B cells. Long-term allergen tolerance after at least three years of venom immunotherapy is observed, but the mechanisms ensuring prolonged tolerance post-therapy remain unclear.
Article
Allergy
Charles F. Schuler, Sofija Volertas, Dilawar Khokhar, Huseyin Yuce, Lu Chen, Onur Baser, Jenny M. Montejo, Cem Akin
Summary: Using an insurance claims database and a retrospective study at the University of Michigan, it was found that the prevalence of HVA in the US is lower than previously reported, while the prevalence of mastocytosis in patients with HVA is higher but still lower than previously reported. There was no correlation between tryptase level and reaction severity in patients undergoing VIT.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matija Rijavec, Jezerka Inkret, Urska Bidovec-Stojkovic, Tanja Carli, Nina Frelih, Andreja Kukec, Peter Korosec, Mitja Kosnik
Summary: Hymenoptera venom-induced anaphylaxis is a common and potentially fatal allergic reaction, with mastocytosis being an important risk factor. Undiagnosed underlying clonal mast cell disorder (cMCD) was found in some cases of fatal anaphylaxis. Screening high-risk individuals for cMCD using molecular methods is crucial for proper management and prevention of unnecessary deaths.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Emily R. Ruskowitz, Brizzia G. Munoz-Robles, Alder C. Strange, Carson H. Butcher, Sebastian Kurniawan, Jeremy R. Filteau, Cole A. DeForest
Summary: Proteins play a crucial role in regulating various biological processes, and new techniques are needed to effectively control protein activity in living systems and biomaterials to study cell signaling and guide biological fate. This study presents a generalizable strategy for activating protein function with precise spatiotemporal control. By using a genetically encoded and light-activated SpyLigation (LASL), bioactive proteins can be reassembled from non-functional fragments with the help of cytocompatible light. The researchers demonstrate protein activation and subcellular localization control in solution, biomaterials, and living mammalian cells. These photoclick-based optogenetic approaches are expected to greatly contribute to understanding and directing complex cellular fates in both time and three-dimensional space.
Letter
Allergy
Wen-Cheng Chao, Wen-Ting Liao, Jing-Rong Wang, Hsiao-Ni Sung, Hsin-Hua Chen, Fang-Ping Lin, Jou-Yu Huang, Kuan-Ting Liu, Tai-Ming Ko
Summary: Through single-cell transcriptomic profiling of HVA patients, we identified previously unknown molecular changes, providing important insights into the mechanism of venom allergy and potential therapeutic targets.
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL ALLERGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Li Lin, Jian Wu, Mingyi Jiang, Youping Wang
Summary: Global warming and population growth have increased the need for plants to rescue themselves in unfavorable environments to meet food requirements. Stress signal sensing plays a crucial role in determining the appropriate response and ultimately the survival of plants. Plant mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are key in regulating responses to major environmental stresses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Fuqing Huang, Kunling Teng, Yayong Liu, Tianwei Wang, Tianqi Xia, Fangfei Yun, Jin Zhong
Summary: Nisin Z has potential anti-inflammatory effects on mastitis by inhibiting the activation of the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathway and promoting the blood-milk barrier.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Letter
Allergy
Didier G. Ebo, Athina L. Van Gasse, Jessy Elst, Christel Mertens, Vito Sabato
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY
(2021)
Review
Allergy
Didier G. Ebo, Chris H. Bridts, Christel H. Mertens, Vito Sabato
Summary: The major challenge in allergy diagnosis is the development of accessible and reliable diagnostics for predicting clinical outcomes after exposure to allergens. Flow-assisted analysis and the basophil activation test (BAT) show promise in meeting this requirement for various IgE-dependent allergies, but proper execution and interpretation are essential. Other uses of BAT include therapeutic monitoring and identifying allergenic recognition sites.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Allergy
Isabel J. Skypala, Ricardo Asero, Domingo Barber, Lorenzo Cecchi, Arazeli Diaz Perales, Karin Hoffmann-Sommergruber, Elide A. Pastorello, Ines Swoboda, Joan Bartra, Didier G. Ebo, Margaretha A. Faber, Montserrat Fernandez-Rivas, Francesca Gomez, Anastasios. P. Konstantinopoulos, Olga Luengo, Ronald van Ree, Enrico Scala, Stephen J. Till
Summary: Non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTP) are important proteins present in plant species, playing a key role in allergies and reactions to plant foods. Studies have shown that nsLTP have highly conserved structures and can cause allergic reactions to different plant-related foods and non-food sources.
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL ALLERGY
(2021)
Letter
Allergy
Ine I. Decuyper, Hans-Peter Rihs, Christel H. Mertens, Athina Ludovica Van Gasse, Jessy Elst, Margaretha A. Faber, Margo M. Hagendorens, Vito Sabato, Didier G. Ebo
Letter
Allergy
Jessy Elst, Marie-Line M. van Der Poorten, Athina L. Van Gasse, Christel Mertens, Margo M. Hagendorens, Didier G. Ebo, Vito Sabato
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY
(2022)
Article
Allergy
Didier G. Ebo, Jessy Elst, Nele Moonen, Marie-Line M. van der Poorten, Athina L. Van Gasse, Lene H. Garvey, Chris H. Bridts, Christel Mertens, Margo M. Hagendorens, Vito Sabato
Summary: This study explored cross-reactivity between chlorhexidine (CHX) and structurally similar compounds using a passive mast cell activation test (pMAT). Results showed that some CHX-allergic patients exhibited mast cell degranulation responses to alexidine (ALX) and octenidine (OCT), while polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) directly activated mast cells via occupation of MRGPRX2.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Didier G. Ebo, Michiel Beyens, Kevin Heremans, Marie-Line M. van der Poorten, Athina L. Van Gasse, Christel Mertens, Michel Van Houdt, Vito Sabato, Jessy Elst
Summary: Immediate hypersensitivity reactions are challenging to diagnose due to their wide range of clinical presentations and uncertain mechanisms. These reactions can be caused by activation and degranulation of specific and nonspecific mast cells and basophils. Degranulation of these cells leads to the release of inflammatory mediators, which can vary depending on the trigger.
CURRENT PHARMACEUTICAL DESIGN
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Michiel Beyens, Jessy Elst, Marie-Line van der Poorten, Athina Van Gasse, Alessandro Toscano, Anke Verlinden, Katrien Vermeulen, Marie-Berthe Maes, J. N. G. Hanneke Oude Elberink, Didier Ebo, Vito Sabato
Summary: Mastocytosis is a complex multisystem disorder characterized by abnormal activation or accumulation of mast cells. The disease is often associated with mutations in the KIT gene and has varied clinical presentations. A new genetic trait related to mastocytosis has also been discovered recently.
ACTA CLINICA BELGICA
(2023)
Letter
Allergy
Jessy Elst, Marie-Line M. van der Poorten, Alessandro Toscano, Athina L. Van Gasse, Christel Mertens, Michiel Beyens, Margo M. Hagendorens, Didier G. Ebo, Vito Sabato
Letter
Allergy
Didier G. Ebo, Jessy Elst, Christel Mertens, Marie-Line M. van der Poorten, Athina L. Van Gasse, Michel Van Houdt, Margo M. Hagendorens, Vito Sabato
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
D. G. Ebo, M. M. van der Poorten, A. L. Van Gasse, R. Schrijvers, C. Hermans, M. Bartiaux, F. Haerynck, J. Willekens, H. Lapeere, M. Moutschen, O. Michel, V. Sabato
Summary: This paper assessed the alignment of Belgian clinical practice in hereditary angioedema (HAE) with the updated international guideline and identified opportunities for optimization. The main action points to further optimize the Belgian clinical practice of HAE include working towards total disease control, informing patients about new long-term prophylactic therapies, ensuring availability of on-demand therapy, implementing a more comprehensive assessment in daily clinical practice, and expanding the existing patient registry.
ACTA CLINICA BELGICA
(2023)
Article
Allergy
M. Pascal, S. M. Edelman, A. Nopp, C. Moebs, W. J. Geilenkeuser, E. F. Knol, D. G. Ebo, C. Mertens, M. H. Shamji, A. F. Santos, S. Patil, B. Eberlein, C. Mayorga, H. J. Hoffmann
Editorial Material
Anesthesiology
Didier G. Ebo, Marie-Line M. van der Poorten, Philip M. Hopkins
Summary: We evaluate the diagnostic approach used in the Japanese Epidemiologic Study for Perioperative Anaphylaxis (JESPA) and caution against over-reliance on less sensitive and specific diagnostic tests in cases where clinical data indicate a likely immediate perioperative hypersensitivity reaction.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF ANAESTHESIA
(2023)
Article
Allergy
D. G. Ebo, H. P. Rihs, C. H. Mertens, A. L. Van Gasse, M. L. van Der Poorten, M. M. Hagendorens, V. Sabato, J. Elst