Article
Mycology
Yang Yie Sio, Sze Lei Pang, Yee-How Say, Keng Foo Teh, Yi Ru Wong, Smyrna Moti Rawanan Shah, Kavita Reginald, Fook Tim Chew
Summary: The study highlights the significant role of fungal sensitization in the manifestation of asthma and allergic rhinitis in the Southeast Asian Chinese population. Sensitization to Curvularia lunata was found to be associated with increased risk of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Additionally, sensitization to Aspergillus spp. was the most common fungal sensitization, with higher sIgE titers correlated with increased risk of allergic rhinitis.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lei Fang, Ying Yan, Zhengxin Xu, Zhenpeng He, Shuting Zhou, Xin Jiang, Fan Wu, Xiaoling Yuan, Tong Zhang, Duonan Yu
Summary: Tectochrysin demonstrates efficacy in treating mouse asthma by reducing airway inflammation, inhibiting Th2 cytokine production, and enhancing antioxidant defenses.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Mgayya Makullah, Diandra A. Ellis, MaryJane Jones, Chad Steele
Summary: Asthma is a common disease associated with fungal sensitization and elevated levels of leukotrienes. In this study, mice deficient in 12/15-lipoxygenase (Alox15) showed improved lung function and decreased inflammation during fungal asthma. The presence of 12/15-LOX in hematopoietic cells contributed to type 1 and 2 responses and exacerbated allergic fungal asthma.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LUNG CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Kazuya Tone, Mark H. T. Stappers, Remi Hatinguais, Ivy M. Dambuza, Fabian Salazar, Carol Wallace, Raif Yuecel, Petruta L. Morvay, Kazuyoshi Kuwano, Janet A. Willment, Gordon D. Brown
Summary: Environmental fungal component melanin, recognized by a novel C-type lectin receptor MelLec, is shown to promote pulmonary allergic inflammation and Th17 T-cells development in response to Aspergillus fumigatus spores. Surprisingly, MelLec deficiency was protective with reduced pulmonary inflammation, while maintaining increased fungal burdens, suggesting a complex role of MelLec in controlling pulmonary fungal burden while impacting inflammatory responses negatively in this allergic model.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Valliappan Muthu, Inderpaul Singh Sehgal, Kuruswamy Thurai Prasad, Sahajal Dhooria, Mandeep Garg, Ashutosh N. Aggarwal, Arunaloke Chakrabarti, Ritesh Agarwal
Summary: The study found that elderly patients with ABPA have lower immunological severity, less extensive bronchiectasis, and fewer exacerbations compared to non-elderly subjects.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Cassandra Suther, Liv Devon, Lauren Daddi, Adam Matson, Hunter Panier, Hanshu Yuan, Katarzyna Saar, Suresh Bokoliya, Yair Dorsett, David A. Sela, Avraham Beigelman, Leonard B. Bacharier, Matthew D. Moore, Yanjiao Zhou
Summary: This study found that oral supplementation with Boswellia serrata resin has significant effects on allergic pulmonary inflammation and the gut microbiome. Treated mice showed improved lung function and reduced inflammation, while also experiencing an increase in Bifidobacterium in the gut microbiome.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Rozlyn C. T. Boutin, Hind Sbihi, Ryan J. McLaughlin, Aria S. Hahn, Kishori M. Konwar, Rachelle S. Loo, Darlene Dai, Charisse Petersen, Fiona S. L. Brinkman, Geoffrey L. Winsor, Malcolm R. Sears, Theo J. Moraes, Allan B. Becker, Meghan B. Azad, Piush J. Mandhane, Padmaja Subbarao, Stuart E. Turvey, B. Brett Finlay
Summary: This study found that the composition of gut mycobiota in Canadian infants changes significantly within the first year of life, with early-life environmental factors influencing the composition and development of inhalant allergic sensitization by age 5 years. The study developed a predictive model using a combination of early-life environmental factors and fungal community composition at 1 year old, achieving 81% accuracy in predicting inhalant atopy status at age 5 years.
Article
Immunology
Karina Mayumi Sakita, Isis Regina Grenier Capoci, Pollyanna Cristina Vincenzi Conrado, Franciele Abigail Vilugron Rodrigues-Vendramini, Daniella Renata Faria, Glaucia Sayuri Arita, Tania Cristina Alexandrino Becker, Patricia de Souza Bonfim-Mendonca, Terezinha Inez Estivalet Svidzinski, Erika Seki Kioshima
Summary: This study provides the first in vivo evidence of Ebselen's efficacy against invasive aspergillosis, showing significant reduction in fungal burden in infected mice and suppression of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor levels in histopathological analysis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Allergy
Andrew J. Wardlaw, Eva-Maria Rick, Leyla Pur Ozyigit, Alys Scadding, Erol A. Gaillard, Catherine H. Pashley
Summary: Allergic fungal airway disease (AFAD) is a distinct eosinophilic endotype of severe lung disease, characterized by fixed airflow obstruction, bronchiectasis, and lung fibrosis. IgE sensitization to relevant fungi in association with airway disease is the key triggering factor for AFAD, rather than colonization itself.
JOURNAL OF ASTHMA AND ALLERGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Emilie Frealle, Gabriel Reboux, Olivier Le Rouzic, Nathalie Bautin, Marie-Capucine Willemin, Muriel Pichavant, Julie Delourme, Boualem Sendid, Philippe Gosset, Saad Nseir, Stephanie Fry
Summary: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often colonised or sensitised by Aspergillus, with a higher detection rate during exacerbation compared to stable state. Anti-Aspergillus antibodies are associated with chronic lung function alteration and/or domestic mould exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Carolin Baehren, Eleni Buedding, Aliyah Bellm, Frank Schult, Anton Pembaur, Stefan Wirth, Anja Ehrhardt, Friedrich Paulsen, Jan Postberg, Malik Aydin
Summary: This review discusses the roles of bacteria, fungi, and archaea in the upper respiratory tract microbiome, as well as their relationship with respiratory diseases and atopic disorders. The aim is to summarize the latest contributions in this field published in the past decade and to establish a bridge between basic and clinical science.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicholas Raffa, Tae Hyung Won, Andrew Sukowaty, Kathleen Candor, Chengsen Cui, Saayak Halder, Mingji Dai, Julio A. Landero-Figueroa, Frank C. Schroeder, Nancy P. Keller
Summary: Fungi maintain the balance of metal micronutrient pools through various homeostasis mechanisms. Metabolites derived from the xan biosynthetic gene cluster in Aspergillus fumigatus bind copper, affect cellular copper content, and exhibit significant metal-dependent antimicrobial properties. These metabolites also demonstrate copper-dependent antimicrobial properties against a variety of human pathogenic fungi and bacteria.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Allergy
Puneet Saxena, Hansraj Choudhary, Valliappan Muthu, Inderpaul Singh Sehgal, Sahajal Dhooria, Kuruswamy Thurai Prasad, Mandeep Garg, Biman Saikia, Ashutosh Nath Aggarwal, Arunaloke Chakrabarti, Ritesh Agarwal
Summary: This study compared the diagnostic performance of various criteria for evaluating ABPA and found that optimal diagnostic performance could be achieved by modifying the existing ISHAM criteria, with increased cost. The ISHAM-ABPA Working Group criteria were only marginally better than the Patterson criteria in diagnosing ABPA among patients with asthma younger than 66 years.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Allergy
Martin Klein, Barbara Misme-Aucouturier, Marie-Aude Cheminant, Marion De Carvalho, Marie Wauters, Olivier Tranquet, Antoine Magnan, Gregory Bouchaud
Summary: The study investigated the therapeutic potential of expanding Tregs with an IL-2/IL-2 antibody complex in allergies. Results showed that the complex treatment significantly reduced allergic symptoms, specific IgE production, and tissue damage while modulating innate lymphoid cells. The IL-2/anti-IL-2 complex offers new hope for reestablishing immune tolerance in patients with allergies.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Hirotaka Yamashita, Akari Shigemori, Misato Murata, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Naoki Inagaki, Masato Tsutsui, Mariko Kimura
Summary: The study explored the use of oligosaccharides from beans, such as raffinose and stachyose, to prevent food allergies. Stachyose treatment was found to suppress allergic diarrhea and prevent elevations in OVA-specific immunoglobulin, potentially through actions of regulatory T cells and utilization by intestinal microbiota. Daily ingestion of oligosaccharides may be effective for preventing food allergies.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Raja Veerapandian, John D. Snyder, Amali E. Samarasinghe
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Elham Hatami, Prashanth K. B. Nagesh, Pallabita Chowdhury, Subhash C. Chauhan, Meena Jaggi, Amali E. Samarasinghe, Murali M. Yallapu
Article
Immunology
Maneesha Palipane, John D. Snyder, Kim S. LeMessurier, Anna K. Schofield, Stacie N. Woolard, Amali E. Samarasinghe
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2019)
Review
Allergy
Kim S. LeMessurier, Amali E. Samarasinghe
CURRENT ALLERGY AND ASTHMA REPORTS
(2019)
Review
Immunology
Prem P. Lamichhane, Amali E. Samarasinghe
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kim S. LeMessurier, Amy R. Iverson, Ti-Cheng Chang, Maneesha Palipane, Peter Vogel, Jason W. Rosch, Amali E. Samarasinghe
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Review
Immunology
Kim S. LeMessurier, Meenakshi Tiwary, Nicholas P. Morin, Amali E. Samarasinghe
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Immunology
Amali E. Samarasinghe, Jason W. Rosch
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Kim S. LeMessurier, Robert Rooney, Hazem E. Ghoneim, Baoming Liu, Kui Li, Heather S. Smallwood, Amali E. Samarasinghe
JOURNAL OF LEUKOCYTE BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amali E. Samarasinghe, Rhiannon R. Penkert, Julia L. Hurwitz, Robert E. Sealy, Kim S. LeMessurier, Catherine Hammond, Patricia J. Dubin, D. Betty Lew
Article
Cell Biology
Meenakshi Tiwary, Robert J. Rooney, Swantje Liedmann, Kim S. LeMessurier, Amali E. Samarasinghe
Summary: Eosinophils play an important role in providing immediate protection during early phase of influenza infection by neutralizing virus and promoting barrier responses to improve antiviral defenses in airway epithelial cells.
Review
Cell Biology
Meenakshi Tiwary, Amali E. Samarasinghe
Summary: Fungi are diverse and abundant eukaryotes that act as pervasive allergens affecting humans and mammals. Despite their significance in severe asthmatics, the immunologic parameters of fungal allergies remain unclear. This study focuses on fungal allergic asthma, using mouse models to replicate human disease characteristics and investigating leukocyte involvement in fungal allergy pathogenesis. The potential contribution of the endogenous mycobiome to fungal asthma is briefly discussed, as much remains to be discovered in this area.
Article
Cell Biology
Kennedy Bonjour, Cinthia Palazzi, Thiago P. Silva, Kassia K. Malta, Vitor H. Neves, Eliane G. Oliveira-Barros, Igor Neves, Victor A. Kersten, Bruno T. Fortuna, Amali E. Samarasinghe, Peter F. Weller, Christianne Bandeira-Melo, Rossana C. N. Melo
Summary: This study used electron microscopy techniques to investigate the dynamics of mitochondria in mouse eosinophils. The results show that mitochondria undergo changes in size and structure during eosinophil development and maturation. Mitophagy, interactions between mitochondria and other organelles, and changes in cristae morphology were observed. These findings suggest that mitochondrial dynamics play a role in eosinophil immune functions.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Mariah K. Taylor, Evan P. Williams, Yi Xue, Piroon Jenjaroenpun, Thidathip Wongsurawat, Amanda P. Smith, Amber M. Smith, Jyothi Parvathareddy, Ying Kong, Peter Vogel, Xueyuan Cao, Walter Reichard, Briana Spruill-Harrell, Amali E. Samarasinghe, Intawat Nookaew, Elizabeth A. Fitzpatrick, Micholas Dean Smith, Michelle Aranha, Jeremy C. Smith, Colleen B. Jonsson
Summary: The closely related clinical isolates of SARS-CoV-2 exhibit phenotypic divergence and induce different immune responses. One variant shows faster viral replication and lower mortality rate, with unique immune responses. Lung histopathology reveals distinct phenotypes among the isolates.
Review
Allergy
Armando. S. S. Flores-Torres, Amali. E. E. Samarasinghe
Summary: Allergic asthma is associated with respiratory infectious agents, and the immune environment in allergic asthma may be beneficial during certain respiratory infections. However, cautious use of immunomodulatory asthma treatments is necessary to avoid misuse.
FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY
(2022)