IL-31, itch and hematological malignancies

 

Review Open Access

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• Eleonora Di Salvo, 
• Alessandro Allegra, 
• Marco Casciaro & 
• Sebastiano Gangemi 

Clinical and Molecular Allergy volume 19, Article number: 8 (2021) 

Abstract

Pruritus is one of the most common symptoms experienced by neoplastic patients. The pathogenesis of neoplastic itch is complex and multifactorial and could be due to an unbalanced production of humoral mediators by altered immune effector cells. IL-31 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by CD4 + T helper cells. The aim of this review was to evaluate the role of this Th2 cytokine and its receptor IL-31RA, in the onset of neoplastic pruritus.

Self-reported vs. objectively assessed adherence to inhaled corticosteroids in asthma

• Research
• Open Access
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• Frodi Fridason Jensen, 
• Kjell E. J. Håkansson, 
• Britt Overgaard Nielsen, 
• Ulla Møller Weinreich & 
• Charlotte Suppli Ulrik 

Asthma Research and Practice volume 7, Article number: 7 (2021) 

Abstract

Background

Adherence to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in asthma is vital for disease control. However, obtaining reliable and clinically useful measures of adherence remains a major challenge. We investigated the association between patient-reported adherence and objectively measured adherence based on filled prescriptions with inhaled corticosteroids in adults with asthma.

Direct effects of mast cell proteases, tryptase and chymase, on bronchial epithelial integrity proteins and anti-viral responses

• Research article
• Open Access
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• Sangeetha Ramu, 
• Hamid Akbarshahi, 
• Sofia Mogren, 
• Frida Berlin, 
• Samuel Cerps, 
• Mandy Menzel, 
• Morten Hvidtfeldt, 
• Celeste Porsbjerg, 
• Lena Uller & 
• Cecilia K. Andersson 

BMC Immunology volume 22, Article number: 35 (2021) 

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Abstract

Background

Mast cells (MCs) are known to contribute to both acute and chronic inflammation. Bronchial epithelial cells are the first line of defence against pathogens and a deficient anti-viral response has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma exacerbations. However, effects of MC mediators on bronchial epithelial immune response have been less studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the direct effects of stimulation with MC proteases, tryptase and chymase, on inflammatory and anti-viral responses in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs).

Small airway dysfunction and poor asthma control: a dangerous liaison

• Review
• Open Access
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• Marcello Cottini, 
• Anita Licini, 
• Carlo Lombardi, 
• Diego Bagnasco, 
• Pasquale Comberiati & 
• Alvise Berti 

Clinical and Molecular Allergy volume 19, Article number: 7 (2021)

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Abstract

Asthma is a common chronic condition, affecting approximately 339 million people worldwide. The main goal of the current asthma treatment guidelines is to achieve clinical control, encompassing both the patient symptoms and limitations and the future risk of adverse asthma outcomes. Despite randomized controlled trials showing that asthma control is an achievable target, a substantial proportion of asthmatics remain poorly controlled in real life. 

Baseline spirometry parameters as predictors of airway hyperreactivity in adults with suspected asthma

• Research Article
• Open Access

• Michael Peled, 
• David Ovadya, 
• Jennifer Cohn, 
• Lior Seluk, 
• Teet Pullerits, 
• Michael J. Segel & 
• Amir Onn 

BMC Pulmonary Medicine volume 21, Article number: 153 (2021)

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Abstract

Background

Methacholine challenge tests (MCTs) are used to diagnose airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in patients with suspected asthma where previous diagnostic testing has been inconclusive. The test is time consuming and usually requires referral to specialized centers. Simple methods to predict AHR could help determine which patients should be referred to MCTs, thus avoiding unnecessary testing. Here we investigated the potential use of baseline spirometry variables as surrogate markers for AHR in adults with suspected asthma.

Trained immunity induced by in vivo peptide-based STAT6 inhibition prevents ragweed allergy in mice

• Husheem Michael, 
• Yuanyi Li, 
• Yufa Wang & 
• Christine T. McCusker 

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology volume 17, Article number: 42 (2021) 

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Abstract

Background

Trained immunity is the ability of the innate immune system to form immune memory responses to provide support the formation of appropriate adaptive responses. Allergic airways disease (AAD) is a maladapted immune response to allergens, initiated and maintained by the type 2 (T2) inflammatory pathway. It is predicated by the elaboration of cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 and follows activation of the STAT6 transcription factor.

Leveraging unstructured data to identify hereditary angioedema patients in electronic medical records

• Research
• Open Access
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• Emily S. Brouwer, 
• Emily W. Bratton, 
• Aimee M. Near, 
• Lynn Sanders & 
• Christina D. Mack 

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology volume 17, Article number: 41 (2021) 

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Abstract

Background

The epidemiologic impact of hereditary angioedema (HAE) is difficult to quantify, due to misclassification in retrospective studies resulting from non-specific diagnostic coding. The aim of this study was to identify cohorts of patients with HAE-1/2 by evaluating structured and unstructured data in a US ambulatory electronic medical record (EMR) database.

Effectiveness of a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for the prevention of pneumococcal pneumonia in the elderly with chronic respiratory diseases: a case–control study of a single center

• Research
• Open Access
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• Toshihiro Masuda, 
• Eiji Nakatani, 
• Toshihiro Shirai, 
• Taisuke Akamatsu, 
• Kanami Tamura, 
• Shingo Takahashi, 
• Yuko Tanaka, 
• Hirofumi Watanabe, 
• Yoshinari Endo, 
• Takahito Suzuki, 
• Mika Saigusa, 
• Akito Yamamoto, 
• Satoru Morita, 
• Yoko Sato & 
• Kazuhiro Asada 

BMC Pulmonary Medicine volume 21, Article number: 123 (2021) 

Abstract

Background

The effectiveness of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) in preventing pneumococcal pneumonia has been controversial.

Methods

To evaluate the effectiveness of the PPSV23 in elderly outpatients with chronic respiratory diseases, we carried out a case–control study, including 4128 outpatients aged ≥ 65 years, in the respiratory department.