Th2 cytokine-induced mucociliary remodeling in chronic rhinosinusitis: implications for antiviral defense and epithelial function

Theorell, J., Drnevich, J., Jovanovic Gasovic, S. et al.  Respir Res (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-026-03734-y

Abstract

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a sinonasal inflammatory disease, often complicated by aberrant Th2-driven immunologic responses and increased susceptibility to viral infections. Th2-induced epithelial remodeling has been proposed to facilitate viral entry and replication, thereby increasing susceptibility to infection and exacerbating inflammation in CRS. This exploratory study investigated if chronic Th2-mediated remodeling alters the transcriptional response to rhinoviral infection between individuals with and without CRS. We hypothesized that Th2 cytokine exposure of human primary nasal epithelial cells during their differentiation disrupts mucociliary function, impairing the antiviral response to rhinovirus. 

Effect of Th2 cytokine exposure on sinonasal epithelial cells

on cytokine secretion

Primary nasal epithelial cells from patients with and without CRS were differentiated at air-liquid interface while being exposed to Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-13, or IL-4/13; 10 ng/mL) followed by a rhinovirus (RV-A16) infection. RNA sequencing and inflammatory cytokine profiling revealed significant downregulation of pathways involved in cilia structure, development, and function, as well as lower rhinovirus reads in Th2 cytokine-exposed cultures, with similar trends observed in CRS and non-CRS samples.

Correlation of Patient-Reported Symptoms With Rhinogram Features Beyond Simple Airway Resistance.

Darbari Kaul R, Alvarado R, Choy C, et al. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. 2026;0(0). doi:10.1177/00034894261454654

Abstract

Introduction:

Rhinomanometry, a reference measure for the nasal airway, is often considered a research tool with only weak-to-moderate correlations with patient symptoms. However, like lung spirometry curves offer information beyond forced expiratory volume (FEV), rhinomanometry curves (rhinograms) have characteristics beyond simple nasal resistance at 150 Pascals. This study explored the correlation between rhinogram curve features and patient-reported outcomes (PROMs), when compared with nasal airway resistance.

Methods:

Image of rhinomanometry testing conducted on a patient
with placement of the sealed pressure sensing
tube and anaesthetic style mask.

A diagnostic cross-sectional study was conducted on patients from a rhinology clinic. PROMs collected included ordinal nasal obstruction and visual analogue scale (VAS) of the more obstructed side. Rhinomanometry curves underwent mathematical polynomial fitting to extract 835 features. The primary outcome was correlation using Spearman’s rho (ρ) comparing curve-derived features with nasal airway resistance at 150 Pascals.

Cytokines and immunologic checkpoint molecules in predicting success of allergen immunotherapy

Berge, M., Hultgren, O., Hugosson, S. et al.  Sci Rep 16, 15356 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-53894-6.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Abstract

Differential expression of immune checkpoint
molecule proteins between consensus clusters.

There are large variations in how individual patients respond to allergen immunotherapy (AIT) against grass and/or birch allergy. There are currently no reliable biomarkers to predict which patients are likely to benefit from the treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential of cytokine and soluble immunologic checkpoint molecule (ICM) levels as biomarkers for AIT success. Blood samples collected before starting AIT were analyzed for concentration of 92 different cytokines and 14 different ICMs. Traditional univariable statistical analysis was performed to evaluate differences between responders and non-responders. Furthermore, both unsupervised and supervised machine learning algorithms were used for multivariable analysis of differences between the responders and non-responders and to try to identify clusters within the subjects which could potentially be linked to endotypes of allergic rhinitis.

Sustained on/off-treatment disease control with abrocitinib for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis

Guttman-Yassky E, Bieber T, Kabashima K et al.  J Dermatolog Treat. 2026 Dec;37(1):2672328. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2026.2672328. 

Abstract

Purpose

Achieving sustained on- and off-treatment disease control is an important therapeutic goal in atopic dermatitis (AD). This study evaluated achievement of off-treatment disease control in patients randomized to placebo following 12 weeks of abrocitinib 200 mg.

Materials and methods

In the phase 3 JADE REGIMEN study, patients with moderate-to-severe AD who achieved Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) of 0/1 (with ≥2 grades of improvement) and ≥75% improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) after 12 weeks of abrocitinib 200 mg were randomized (1:1:1) to placebo, abrocitinib 100 mg, or abrocitinib 200 mg for 40 weeks.

Characterizing the Nasal Microbiome Using a Nasal Allergen Challenge Model

Linton S, Sjaarda C, Hossenbaccus L et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2026 May 14:S0091-6749(26)00339-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2026.05.003.

Abstract

Graphical Abstract

Background: The role of the nasal microbiome in allergic rhinitis (AR), particularly following direct allergen exposure using a controlled model, remains incompletely understood. Understanding microbiome dynamics after allergen challenge could provide insights into AR pathophysiology.

Objective: To evaluate nasal microbiome changes following a nasal allergen challenge (NAC) with ragweed pollen extract in individuals with ragweed-induced AR compared to non-allergic controls.

Methods: Nineteen ragweed-allergic and twelve non-allergic participants completed an out-of-season NAC. Middle meatus and the adjacent nasal cavity secretions were collected at baseline and 6, 24, and 48 hours post-challenge.

Cost-Effectiveness of Allergen Immunotherapy for Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review

J. Jacob, A. Fong, C. Joyce, M. Lloyd, A. Lowe, and C. Katelaris.  Allergy (2026): 1–22, https://doi.org/10.1111/all.70382.

ABSTRACT

Allergic rhinitis imposes a substantial clinical and socioeconomic burden globally. While symptomatic pharmacotherapy such as oral antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids offers temporary relief, allergen immunotherapy provides disease-modifying benefits but requires higher upfront costs. This systematic review synthesises cost-effectiveness evaluations of subcutaneous (SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) compared to symptomatic pharmacotherapy (SP). 

Selection of studies into the review (PRISMA flow diagram).

A systematic search of electronic databases was undertaken, identifying 35 eligible economic evaluations. Due to methodological heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis was performed. Thirty-two evaluations (91%) concluded that allergen immunotherapy represents a cost-effective intervention, with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios predominantly falling below jurisdictional willingness-to-pay thresholds.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Intramuscular Injections of Autologous Total IgG in Patients With Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: An Open-Label Prospective Pilot Trial

 Y.-M.Ye, M.-E.Kim, B.Kwon, and D.-H.Nahm. Experimental Dermatology 35, no. 4 (2026): e70249, https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.70249.

ABSTRACT

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) remains challenging to manage in patients who do not respond adequately to antihistamines or currently available immunomodulatory therapies. Intramuscular injection of autologous total IgG (autologous immunoglobulin therapy: AIGT) has demonstrated clinical efficacy, safety and immunomodulatory effects in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. However, the clinical usefulness of AIGT in patients with CSU has not been evaluated. We conducted a prospective open-label pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of AIGT in antihistamine-refractory CSU. Fifteen adults with CSU received nine weekly intramuscular injections of 100 mg autologous IgG from Week 0 through Week 8 (inclusive). 

Longitudinal changes in UAS7 (A), UCT (B), CU-QoL (C) and VAS (D)
from baseline to Weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24.

The primary outcome was the change in Urticaria Activity Score over 7 days (UAS7) at Week 12 from baseline. Secondary outcomes included the Urticaria Control Test (UCT), chronic urticaria-specific quality of life (CU-QoL) scores and patient-reported disease burden using a visual analogue scale (VAS).

Novel Approaches to Ambulatory Antibiotic Allergy Clinics.

Cox F, Dowden A, Sousa-Pinto B, Li PH. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2026 May;14(5):1014-1022.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2025.12.013.

Abstract

Hypothetical patient journey illustrating many missed opportunities throughout
a lifetime for evaluation of a penicillin allergy label and the negative impact
of such a label. GYN, Gynecology; OB, osbtretrics; PCP, primary care provider;
STD, sexually transmitted disease; URI, upper respiratory infection.

Antibiotic allergy labels, especially to penicillins, are common but often inaccurate, with more than 90% disproven on formal evaluation. These unverified labels lead to suboptimal antibiotic use, increased health care costs, and worse clinical outcomes. Traditional allergist-led assessment models are not scalable due to global shortages of allergy specialists. Recent evidence supports a shift toward proactive, ambulatory, multidisciplinary delabeling strategies that integrate risk-stratified direct oral drug provocation testing into routine care. Validated point-of-care tools now enable nonallergists, including pharmacists, nurses, and physicians, to safely identify low-risk patients suitable for delabeling without skin testing.