Review
Immunology
Melanie Albrecht, Holger Garn, Timo Buhl
Summary: Epithelial/immune interactions are essential for maintaining homeostatic conditions and effective immune responses. Different epithelial tissues have distinct properties, which determine the types of immune cells and immune regulation mechanisms present. Current treatments for allergic diseases target immunological mediators, but future approaches will focus on upstream events of the inflammatory cascade.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Litty Johnson, Lorenz Aglas, Benjamin Punz, Hieu-Hoa Dang, Constantin Christ, Lisa Pointner, Mario Wenger, Norbert Hofstaetter, Sabine Hofer, Mark Geppert, Ancuela Andosch, Fatima Ferreira, Jutta Horejs-Hoeck, Albert Duschl, Martin Himly
Summary: The incorporation of nanomaterials into consumer products has raised safety concerns due to their ability to cross epithelial barriers and interact with allergens, potentially affecting immune responses. This study investigates the impact of silica nanoparticle-allergen interactions on allergic sensitization by studying molecular mechanisms affecting allergic responses. The results suggest that the interaction of birch pollen allergen with silica nanoparticles skews the immune response towards a Th1-dominated profile, indicating a potential decrease in allergic sensitization.
Article
Cell Biology
Yue-Long Qiao, Ming-Wan Zhu, Shan Xu, Wo-Er Jiao, Hai-Feng Ni, Ze-Zhang Tao, Shi-Ming Chen
Summary: Allergen-induced dendritic cell pyroptosis promotes the development of allergic rhinitis through GSDMD-N-mediated pyroptosis, providing a clue for allergic disease interventions.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Huanping Zhang, Yanfen Wang, Xiaoxue Chen, Aizhi Zhang, Lijun Hou, Jingyi Hong, Jiangqi Liu, Zhiqiang Liu, Pingchang Yang
Summary: This study aims to investigate the role of the interaction between TWIST1 and RAS in inducing and maintaining Th2 polarization in allergic asthma. The results showed that TWIST1 was strongly expressed in patients with allergic asthma and was positively correlated with asthmatic responses. TWIST1 favored the expression of IL-33 in the airway epithelial cells (AECs). Inhibition of TWIST1 or RAS prevented asthma-like inflammation in the mouse airways.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Miaomiao Han, Jingyu Ma, Suidong Ouyang, Yanyan Wang, Tingting Zheng, Peishan Lu, Zihan Zheng, Weiheng Zhao, Hongjin Li, Yun Wu, Baohua Zhang, Ran Hu, Kinya Otsu, Xinguang Liu, Ying Wan, Huabin Li, Gonghua Huang
Summary: Dendritic cells (DCs) play a critical role in controlling T helper 2 (Th2) cell-dependent diseases. Our study identifies p38 alpha signaling as a central pathway in DCs that regulates Th2-cell differentiation and function, integrating allergic and parasitic instructive signals with Th2-instructive cytokines from the microenvironment.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Chenglin Kang, Haipeng He, Peng Liu, Yue Liu, Xiaomei Li, Jin Zhang, Hong Ran, Xianhai Zeng, Hailiang Zhao, Jiangqi Liu, Shuqi Qiu
Summary: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common condition in otorhinolaryngology, and its prevalence is increasing globally. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in the immunopathogenesis of AR, and the exosomes produced by DCs (Dex) are involved in allergic immune responses and may have important implications for the pathogenesis and treatment of AR.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zheng Liu, Zhan Fan, Jinxin Liu, Jialu Wang, Mengli Xu, Xinlin Li, Yilun Xu, Yafang Lu, Chenlu Han, Zhihong Zhang
Summary: An immunomodulatory approach based on lipid nanoparticles carrying alpha-helical configurational melittin is developed to treat allergic contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis by suppressing T cell-mediated inflammatory reactions.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Michelle D. Cherne, Barkan Sidar, T. Andrew Sebrell, Humberto S. Sanchez, Kody Heaton, Francis J. Kassama, Mandi M. Roe, Andrew B. Gentry, Connie B. Chang, Seth T. Walk, Mark Jutila, James N. Wilking, Diane Bimczok
Summary: By optimizing the GOFlowChip platform and utilizing a complex microphysiological immune-cell-epithelial cell co-culture model, successful simulation of DC-epithelial interactions in the human stomach has been achieved.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yanan Li, Liwei Sun, Ying Zhang
Summary: The epithelial barrier composed of nasal epithelial cells plays a crucial role in protecting the host immune system from harmful stimuli in allergic rhinitis (AR). However, the mechanism leading to abnormal changes in nasal epithelial cells in response to allergens remains unknown. Understanding the regulatory mechanism and signal pathway of programmed cell death in epithelial cells is important for clarifying the pathogenesis of AR and developing treatment strategies.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Allergy
Meng Zhang, Qianying Yu, Wei Tang, Yujiao Wu, JiaJia Lv, Lin Sun, Guochao Shi, Min Wu, Jieming Qu, Caixia Di, Zhenwei Xia
Summary: The study revealed that HDM-AEC-EXOs facilitate recruitment, proliferation, migration, and activation of DCs, with CNTN1 playing a critical role. Notch2 receptor is necessary for relaying the CNTN1 signal to activate TH2 cell/TH17 cell immune response. Studies of patients with asthma support the existence of the CNTN1-Notch2 axis observed in cell and mouse models.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Alfredo Ornelas, Alexander S. Dowdell, J. Scott Lee, Sean P. Colgan
Summary: Epithelial cells, as the primary barrier, interact with the microbiota through cell-cell interactions, which regulate mucosal permeability.
Review
Cell Biology
Sepiso K. Masenga, Bislom C. Mweene, Emmanuel Luwaya, Lweendo Muchaili, Makondo Chona, Annet Kirabo
Summary: The development of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) is a significant achievement in managing HIV infections by suppressing viral activity and extending lifespan. However, the success of HIV in evading the immune system has hindered the discovery of an effective treatment for four decades. Understanding the molecular interaction between HIV and host cells is crucial for developing preventive and curative therapies. This review highlights the inherent mechanisms of HIV, such as targeting CD4(+) lymphocytes, downregulating MHC class I and II, antigenic variation, and minimizing antibody access, which collectively render the immune system ineffective.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jufang Jia, Mengnan Zeng, Denghui Zhu, Xinmian Jiao, Beibei Zhang, Ruolan Yang, Weisheng Feng, Xiaoke Zheng
Summary: This study demonstrates for the first time that EB-A can ameliorate allergic asthma by inhibiting mast cell activation and dendritic cell maturation, and the molecular mechanism of EB-A's anti-asthmatic activity might be mediated by inhibiting PAR2 activation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Fabrizio Gardoni, Monica Di Luca
Summary: NMDARs are ion channels in the brain that play essential roles, with different subunits forming various receptor types. They are widely expressed, involved in physiological and pathological processes, and interact with proteins to regulate synaptic activity and cell-wide events affecting gene transcription.
Article
Immunology
Ji Wang, Yilin Zhao, Xin Zhang, Wei Tu, Rongjun Wan, Yingchun Shen, Yan Zhang, Ruchik Trivedi, Peisong Gao
Summary: The study found that AhR in type II alveolar epithelial cells protects against allergic airway inflammation by regulating cellular autophagy.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Allergy
Niamh M. Troy, Deborah Strickland, Michael Serralha, Emma de Jong, Anya C. Jones, James Read, Sally Galbraith, Zahir Islam, Parwinder Kaur, Kyle T. Mincham, Barbara J. Holt, Peter D. Sly, Anthony Bosco, Patrick G. Holt
Summary: This study elucidates the mechanisms of immune training (IT) in reducing the frequency and duration of lower respiratory tract infections in infants. The IT agent OM85 enhances the detection and clearance of bacterial pathogens, regulates the intensity and duration of inflammatory response, and protects infants from severe lower respiratory tract infections.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Allergy
Sarah E. Ashley, Anya C. Jones, Denise Anderson, Patrick G. Holt, Anthony Bosco, Mimi L. K. Tang
Summary: The immunological changes underlying remission following peanut oral immunotherapy are mediated by reprogramming of T helper 2-associated gene networks in the CD4(+) T cell compartment. These findings provide insight into immune mechanisms driving the acquisition of remission following oral immunotherapy, paving the way for the development of improved approaches to induce remission/sustained unresponsiveness in patients with food allergy.
Article
Physiology
Alexander N. Larcombe, Thomas Iosifidis, Rachel E. Foong, Luke J. Berry, Philip A. Stumbles, Deborah H. Strickland, Peter D. Sly, Anthony Kicic
Summary: The study shows that long-term cigarette smoke exposure and rhinovirus infection have individual impacts on respiratory outcomes, and when combined, they alter aspects of lung structure. This provides insights for future mechanistic studies and interventions in human disease.
RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY & NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Respiratory System
Kristin V. Carson-Chahhoud, Bruce R. Thompson, John W. Upham
Letter
Allergy
John W. Upham, Chantal Le Lievre, David J. Jackson, Matthew Masoli, Michael E. Wechsler, David B. Price
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Laura A. Wijs, Dorota A. Doherty, Jeffrey A. Keelan, Blagica Penova-Veselinovic, Peter Burton, John L. Yovich, Graham L. Hall, Peter D. Sly, Patrick G. Holt, Roger J. Hart
Summary: Adolescents conceived with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) show no difference in asthma prevalence compared to those conceived without, but have slightly altered lung function, increased rates of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, food allergies, and positive skin prick testing.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Chinthaka B. Samaranayake, Michelle Craigie, Aleksander Kempny, Peter T. Bell, Andrew McCann, Sudhir Wahi, John W. Upham, Colm McCabe, John Coucher, Gregory Keir
Summary: Right heart strain features measured on CTPA by non-radiologists show low inter-observer variability and good agreement with radiologists, making them a reliable substitute when expert reports are not available.
RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tesfalidet Beyene, Erin S. Harvey, Joseph Van Buskirk, Vanessa M. McDonald, Megan E. Jensen, Jay C. Horvat, Geoffrey G. Morgan, Graeme R. Zosky, Edward Jegasothy, Ivan Hanigan, Vanessa E. Murphy, Elizabeth G. Holliday, Anne E. Vertigan, Matthew Peters, Claude S. Farah, Christine R. Jenkins, Constance H. Katelaris, John Harrington, David Langton, Philip Bardin, Gregory P. Katsoulotos, John W. Upham, Jimmy Chien, Jeffrey J. Bowden, Janet Rimmer, Rose Bell, Peter G. Gibson
Summary: This study examined the experiences and health impacts of prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke in adults with severe asthma during the 2019/2020 Australian bushfire period. The results showed that participants experienced persistent symptoms and health issues during and after the bushfires, and indoor mitigation measures did not effectively alleviate the symptoms. The study suggests the need to improve exposure mitigation strategies and communicate them to individuals with severe asthma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
James F. Read, Michael Serralha, Danny Mok, Barbara J. Holt, Mark Cruickshank, Yuliya V. Karpievitch, David I. Broadhurst, Peter D. Sly, Deborah H. Strickland, Stacey N. Reinke, Patrick G. Holt, Anthony Bosco
Summary: Activation intensity of an LPS-induced interferon gene network at birth was found to predict the risk of severe lower respiratory infections in infants, providing potential for early intervention and drug development. Developmental status of LPS-induced interferon responses may be a key determinant of susceptibility.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kerry L. Hancock, Sinthia Bosnic-Anticevich, John Blakey, Mark Hew, Li Ping Chung, Biljana Cvetkovski, Scott Claxton, Peter Del Fante, Eve Denton, Joe Doan, Kanchanamala Ranasinghe, Lucy Morgan, Anita Sharma, Peter K. Smith, Deb Stewart, Philip J. Thompson, Russell Wiseman, John W. Upham, Kwok Y. Yan, Victoria Carter, Kiranjeet Dhillon, Florian Heraud, Thao Le, Rebecca Vella, David Price, OPCA Improving Asthma outcomes Australia Res Grp
Summary: This study investigated the rates of severe exacerbation and steroid-related burden in Australian adults diagnosed with asthma. The results showed that the frequency of severe exacerbation increased with treatment intensity. The rates reported by questionnaire participants were higher than those recorded in medical records.
PRAGMATIC AND OBSERVATIONAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Editorial Material
Critical Care Medicine
John W. Upham
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Md. Al Amin Sikder, Ridwan B. Rashid, Tufael Ahmed, Ismail Sebina, Daniel R. Howard, Md. Ashik Ullah, Muhammed Mahfuzur Rahman, Jason P. Lynch, Bodie Curren, Rhiannon B. Werder, Jennifer Simpson, Alec Bissell, Mark Morrison, Carina Walpole, Kristen J. Radford, Vinod Kumar, Trent M. Woodruff, Tan Hui Ying, Ayesha Ali, Gerard E. Kaiko, John W. Upham, Robert D. Hoelzle, Paraic O. Cuiv, Patrick G. Holt, Paul G. Dennis, Simon Phipps
Summary: Poor maternal diet during pregnancy increases the risk of severe lower respiratory infections (sLRIs) in infants. This study found that a maternal low-fiber diet (LFD) led to worsened LRI severity in mice offspring due to delayed recruitment of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) and disruption of regulatory T cell expansion in the lungs. The LFD altered the composition of the maternal milk and infant gut microbiome, resulting in reduced secretion of the DC growth factor Flt3L and impaired pDC hematopoiesis. However, therapy with propionate-producing bacteria or propionate supplementation restored gut Flt3L expression and pDC hematopoiesis, providing protection against sLRI.
Article
Respiratory System
Chinthaka Bhagya Samaranayake, John Upham, Khoa Tran, Luke S. Howard, Sean Nguyen, Myo Lwin, James Anderson, Sudhir Wahi, Laura C. Price, Stephen Wort, Wei Li, Colm McCabe, Gregory J. Keir
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the RV exercise adaptation in survivors of intermediate and high-risk acute PE. The results showed that about one-third of patients exhibited impaired RV adaptation during exercise, and RV-PA uncoupling was associated with increased ventilatory inefficiency, reduced peak exercise oxygen saturation, and decreased peak oxygen pulse. Therefore, combining stress echocardiography and CPET can enable more accurate phenotyping of patients with persistent symptoms following acute PE and allow timely detection of long-term complications.
BMJ OPEN RESPIRATORY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Anya C. Jones, Jonatan Leffler, Ingrid A. Laing, Joelene Bizzintino, Siew-Kim Khoo, Peter N. LeSouef, Peter D. Sly, Patrick G. Holt, Deborah H. Strickland, Anthony Bosco
Summary: Asthma exacerbations in children are associated with virus infection and atopy, leading to immune activation and immune cell infiltration in the airways. Cellular and molecular profiling of PBMC from atopic asthmatic children during exacerbations revealed changes in immune cell abundance and upregulation of coexpressed genes related to innate immunity, inflammation, and remodeling. These findings suggest that pre-programmed pathogenic and protective functions of circulating immune cells contribute to the development of asthma exacerbations.
RESPIRATORY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Gary P. Anderson, Louis B. Irving, Andrew Jarnicki, Katherine Kedzierska, Marios Koutsakos, Stephen Kent, Aeron C. Hurt, Adam K. Wheatley, Thi H. O. Nguyen, Natale Snape, John W. Upham
Summary: This study conducted a vaccine trial on 33 COPD patients and found that double-dose immunization with the seasonal influenza vaccine did not further improve the immune response in previously vaccinated patients. These findings highlight the need for more effective vaccine strategies for COPD patients.
