Article
Immunology
Peter W. West, Rajia Bahri, Karen M. Garcia-Rodriguez, Georgia Sweetland, Georgia Wileman, Rajesh Shah, Angeles Montero, Laura Rapley, Silvia Bulfone-Paus
Summary: Aberrant mast cell responses and complement activation both contribute to allergic diseases. IL-33 plays a critical role in regulating mast cell responses to complement anaphylatoxins, enhancing mast cell reactivity to C3a and C5a. This cross-regulation may aggravate Th2 immune responses and targeting anti-IL33 therapeutically could provide a rationale in allergic diseases.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karen M. Garcia-Rodriguez, Anu Goenka, Darren D. Thomson, Rajia Bahri, Chiara Tontini, Barbora Salcman, Rogelio Hernandez-Pando, Silvia Bulfone-Paus
Summary: This study investigated the response of human mast cells to BCG vaccine and found that IL-33 may improve the immunogenicity of BCG vaccine by sensitising mast cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
David B. Straus, Destiny Pryor, Tamara T. Haque, Sydney A. Kee, Jordan M. Dailey, Kaitlyn G. Jackson, Brian O. Barnstein, John J. Ryan
Summary: Inflammatory responses are necessary for blocking pathogen infection but can also lead to hypersensitivity and chronic inflammation. This study found that IL-33 enhances the ATP-induced cytokine production in mast cells, potentially through the P2X7 receptor and calcineurin/NFAT pathway. Furthermore, IL-33 + ATP co-stimulation enhances the recruitment of eosinophils and macrophages.
CELLULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Marcela T. Taruselli, Elizabeth Motunrayo Kolawole, Amina Abdul Qayum, Tamara T. Haque, Heather L. Caslin, Daniel Abebayehu, Sydney A. Kee, Jordan M. Dailey, Kaitlyn G. Jackson, Jason R. Burchett, Andrew J. Spence, Neha Pondicherry, Brian O. Barnstein, Gregorio Gomez, David B. Straus, John J. Ryan
Summary: This study found that fluvastatin enhances mast cell response to IL-33, promoting mast cell-mediated inflammatory reactions, and reveals the underlying mechanisms. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding the pleiotropic and potential unexpected effects of statins.
CELLULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matteo Trimarchi, Dorina Lauritano, Gianpaolo Ronconi, Alessandro Caraffa, Carla E. Gallenga, Ilias Frydas, Spyros K. Kritas, Vittorio Calvisi, Pio Conti
Summary: The etiopathogenesis of periodontal disease involves autoimmunity, inflammation affecting periodontal tissues and bone, and dysbiosis of oral microbiota triggering immune responses. Mast cells and cytokines play crucial roles in the inflammatory process in the gingiva.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jessy Elst, Vito Sabato, Marie-Line M. van der Poorten, Athina L. Van Gasse, Michel Van Houdt, Chris H. Bridts, Mark Walschot, Jean-Pierre Timmermans, Isabel Pintelon, Christel Mertens, Didier G. Ebo
Summary: BAT and MAT are both used as diagnostics in IDHRs, with BAT requiring specialized personnel and equipment, while MAT uses frozen serum samples and has potential for broader application.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGICAL METHODS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jun-ichi Kashiwakura, Nao Koizumi, Kodai Saitoh, Kota Kagohashi, Yuto Sasaki, Fuki Kobayashi, Shoya Kawahara, Yukie Yamauchi, Yuichi Kitai, Ryuta Muromoto, Kenji Oritani, Tadashi Matsuda
Summary: STAP-2 is an essential adaptor protein involved in regulating mast cell activation, particularly in response to IL-33 stimulation. Its deficiency leads to decreased cytokine production and impaired TLR4-mediated mast cell activation. The direct binding of STAP-2 to IKKα enhances NF-kappa B activity, contributing to the activation of mast cells.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Allergy
Oliver Hemmings, Umar Niazi, Matthew Kwok, Louisa K. James, Gideon Lack, Alexandra F. Santos
Summary: The study showed that individuals with peanut allergy have stronger IgE characteristics compared to peanut-sensitized but tolerant individuals, with peanut SA and peanut diversity having the greatest influence on effector cell activation.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Jeremia M. Coish, Robert W. E. Crozier, John S. Schieffelin, Jens R. Coorssen, Fiona F. Hunter, Adam J. MacNeil
Summary: This study demonstrates that anti-dengue antibodies can enhance Zika virus replication in mast cells and increase the secretion of CCL5, CXCL10, and IL-1β, while impairing granzyme B release. FcγRII is found to be mechanistically involved in the enhanced Zika virus infection and selective mediator release. These findings provide a new model for Zika virus research and explore a previously unexplored subcategory of immune cells in the context of Zika virus enhancement, which are among the first immune cells likely to encounter a blood-feeding infected mosquito.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Justyna Agier, Ewa Brzezinska-Blasczyka, Sylwia Rozalska, Magdalena Wiktorska, Elzbieta Kozlowka, Paulina Zelechowska
Summary: The study reveals that alarmins CRAMP and IL-33 significantly impact the phenotype and activity of MCs, promoting inflammatory responses and controlling the activity of cells involved in antimicrobial processes.
CELLULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Kyu-Ree Dhong, Hye-Jin Park
Summary: This study investigated the effect of GBR fermented with the Pediococcus pentosaceus SP024 strain on IgE/Ag mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, showing its potential as an anti-allergic agent through the regulation of protein and gene expressions in RBL-2H3 cells. The study also demonstrated the effectiveness of GBR-SP024 in reducing immune cell infiltration, mast cell degranulation, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in a murine model, suggesting its use as a dietary supplement or adjuvant for treating IgE-dependent allergic diseases.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pio Conti, Fabrizio E. Pregliasco, Rosa G. Bellomo, Carla E. Gallenga, Alessandro Caraffa, Spyros K. Kritas, Dorina Lauritano, Gianpaolo Ronconi
Summary: Psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by autoimmune features and inflammatory symptoms, often accompanied by various comorbidities. Immune cells like MCs and cytokines such as IL-36 play significant roles in the inflammation process of psoriasis, while IL-38 and IL-37 may serve as potential therapeutic tools for inhibiting inflammation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Wangbo Yu, Jingwei Du, Lijuan Peng, Tao Zhang
Summary: According to the research findings, ROR alpha plays an important inhibitory role in allergic rhinitis, alleviating mast cell degranulation and inflammation by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome and promoting autophagy.
IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Peter Korosec, Ana Koren, Jerneja Debeljak, Abida Zahirovic, Maja Skerbinjek-Kavalar, Vojko Berce, Luka Dejanovic, Jernej Luzar, Borut Strukelj, Mojca Lunder
Summary: The study identified specific peptides that can reduce the allergenic activity of Ara h 2, a peanut allergen, and suppress IgE-dependent activation of basophils and mast cells. These findings may suggest a novel therapeutic strategy for food allergy based on epitope-paratop blocking.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Samuel Kelava, Ben J. Mans, Renfu Shao, Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa, Keita Matsuno, Ai Takano, Hiroki Kawabata, Kozue Sato, Hiromi Fujita, Chen Ze, Olivier Plantard, Sandor Hornok, Shan Gao, Dayana Barker, Stephen C. Barker, Ryo Nakao
Summary: This study conducted the largest mitochondrial genome phylogenetic analysis of ticks to date, with new insights into the evolutionary relationships within the Amblyomma genus and other tick families. The findings revealed novel gene arrangements and unusual gene inserts, shedding light on the complex phylogenetic relationships among different tick species.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ronel Pienaar, Daniel G. de Klerk, Minique H. de Castro, Jonathan Featherston, Ben J. Mans
Summary: Ticks secrete proteins in their saliva that modulate host inflammation, immune responses, haemostasis or may cause paralysis during feeding. RNA next generation sequencing technologies reveal complex dynamics of tick salivary glands, with different functional classes of proteins showing differential expression during feeding in both genders. The transcriptome data contributes to understanding salivary gland biology and blood feeding physiology of non-model organisms.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Boitumelo B. Maboko, Jonathan Featherston, Kgomotso P. Sibeko-Matjila, Ben J. Mans
Summary: This study successfully captured whole Theileria parva genomes using RNA baits from cell cultures and blood samples, revealing extensive host contamination in blood samples compared to cell cultures. The results indicate that baits are specific to T. parva, making them a good alternative for genomic studies.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Wessam Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed, Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa, Samuel Kelava, Dayana Barker, Keita Matsuno, Nariaki Nonaka, Renfu Shao, Ben J. Mans, Stephen C. Barker, Ryo Nakao
Summary: High-throughput sequencing technology has been used to sequence whole genomes of organisms rapidly and cost-effectively. In this study, mitochondrial genome sequences of Ixodes persulcatus from different sources were compared, revealing clustering of Chinese-constructed mitogenomes with Japanese-sequenced mitogenomes. Additionally, identification errors were found in mitogenome sequences from two data sets.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Lidia Chitimia-Dobler, Ben J. Mans, Stephan Handschuh, Jason A. Dunlop
Summary: This study describes four new fossil tick species found in Burmese amber, including the oldest record of Ixodidae ticks, which may have a relationship with modern Australian species. The discovery of a transitional tick species, Khimairidae, combining characteristics of soft ticks and hard ticks is particularly remarkable. The study also introduces a new species of extinct Deinocrotonidae and associates a female individual of Cornupalpatum burmanicum with a dinosaur feather barb.
Article
Parasitology
Lidia Chitimia-Dobler, Ben J. Mans
Summary: The study reports the discovery of a nymph attached to a German tourist during a holiday in South Africa. The nymph was morphologically identified as Rhipicephalus maculatus, a rare tick in humans, and confirmed by sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA and 12S rRNA genes. However, screening for infection using pan-Rickettsia-PCR gave a negative result.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carolina Barillas-Mury, Jose M. C. Ribeiro, Jesus G. Valenzuela
Summary: This article reviews recent progress in the understanding of pathogen transmission from human to vector and from vector to host, and highlights new strategies for controlling vector-borne diseases.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Samuel Kelava, Ben J. Mans, Renfu Shao, Dayana Barker, Ernest J. M. Teo, Elisha Chatanga, Alexander W. Gofton, Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa, Ryo Nakao, Stephen C. Barker
Summary: Hoogstraal and Kim (1985) proposed three groups of Haemaphysalis subgenera based on morphology. However, genetic analysis did not support this classification. In this study, the phylogeny of Haemaphysalis and the subgenus Alloceraea was investigated using newly sequenced mitochondrial genomes and nuclear gene sequences. The results suggest that Alloceraea may be the only monophyletic subgenus in the genus Haemaphysalis. Additionally, genetic analysis revealed potential cryptic species within Alectorobius capensis.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Lidia Chitimia-Dobler, Jason A. Dunlop, Timo Pfeffer, Felix Wuerzinger, Stephan Handschuh, Ben J. Mans
Summary: Three examples of metastriate hard ticks from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber are described, showing affinities to modern Australasian genera. These findings support the hypothesis that the fauna of the amber forest originated from Gondwana and provide a revised evolutionary tree for Ixodida based on data from several new Burmese amber ticks.
Review
Parasitology
Ben J. Mans
Summary: The study of tick evolution involves disciplines such as taxonomy, biogeography, evolution and development (evo-devo), ecology, and hematophagy. These disciplines overlap and influence each other. Paradigm shifts in understanding tick evolution have occurred, are ongoing, or may happen in the future. Integrating these disciplines is crucial for a holistic view of tick evolution, but paradigm maturity is necessary before this can be achieved.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jose M. C. Ribeiro, Natalia J. Bayona-Vasquez, Khemraj Budachetri, Deepak Kumar, Julia Catherine Frederick, Faizan Tahir, Brant C. Faircloth, Travis C. Glenn, Shahid Karim
Summary: The Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum, is a tick species found in the Southeastern states of the USA, extending from the Gulf of Mexico to Mexico and other Central and South American countries. This tick is a vector for Rickettsia parkeri and Hepatozoon americanum. A draft genome of A. maculatum was generated, revealing 237,921 protein-coding genes and providing insights into its basic biology.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Melina Garcia Guizzo, Ben Mans, Ronel Pienaar, Jose M. C. Ribeiro
Summary: Tick saliva plays a role in blood feeding through its antihemostatic and immunomodulatory activities. Transcriptome analysis of tick salivary glands revealed a large number of transcripts coding for secreted polypeptides. However, many of these transcripts do not match the predicted proteomes, suggesting a high degree of polymorphism within the genes encoding these proteins.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olivia Kern, Paola Carolina Valenzuela Leon, Apostolos G. Gittis, Brian Bonilla, Phillip Cruz, Andrezza Campos Chagas, Sundar Ganesan, Jose M. C. Ribeiro, David N. Garboczi, Ines Martin-Martin, Eric Calvo
Summary: Female mosquitoes require blood meals for egg development, and the saliva of blood feeding arthropods contains biochemically active molecules that aid in blood feeding. Culex quinquefasciatus, an important vector of parasitic and viral infections, has a 12-member family of putatively secreted proteins named the Cysteine and Tryptophan-Rich (CWRC) proteins. Two members of this family, CqDVP-2 and CqDVP-4, have been characterized, with evidence of interaction with carbohydrates important to host immunology and potential roles in pathogen transmission.
CURRENT RESEARCH IN STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ethan C. Strayer, Stephen Lu, Jose Ribeiro, John F. Andersen
Summary: The saliva from Anopheles mosquitoes inhibits the alternative pathway of complement, facilitating feeding by blocking the production of anaphylatoxins. Two proteins, albicin and SG7.AF, stabilize the C3bBb complex with different affinities for properdin. The SG7 family's functional role may differ in various mosquito species, as seen with albicin, SG7.AF, and Anophensin.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)