Therapeutic potential of anti-IL-6 therapies for granulocytic airway inflammation in asthma

Research

Derek K Chu¹, Amal Al-Garawi¹, Alba Llop-Guevara¹, Regina A Pillai³, Katherine Radford², Pamela Shen¹, Tina D Walker¹, Susanna Goncharova¹, William J Calhoun³, Parameswaran Nair² and Manel Jordana^1*

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology 2015, 11:14  doi:10.1186/s13223-015-0081-1

Abstract

Background

Determining the cellular and molecular phenotypes of inflammation in asthma can identify patient populations that may best benefit from targeted therapies. Although elevated IL-6 and polymorphisms in IL-6 signalling are associated with lung dysfunction in asthma, it remains unknown if elevated IL-6 levels are associated with a specific cellular inflammatory phenotype, and how IL-6 blockade might impact such inflammatory responses.

Mold allergens in respiratory allergy: from structure to therapy.

Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2014 Apr 3;7(3):205-20. doi: 10.4168/aair.2015.7.3.205. Epub 2015 Mar 11.

Twaroch TE1, Curin M1, Valenta R2, Swoboda I3

Abstract

Allergic reactions to fungi were described 300 years ago, but the importance of allergy to fungi has been underestimated for a long time. Allergens from fungi mainly cause respiratory and skin symptoms in sensitized patients. In this review, we will focus on fungi and fungal allergens involved in respiratory forms of allergy, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Associations between the 17q21 region and allergic rhinitis in 5 birth cohorts

Elaine Fuertes, MSc

, 

Cilla Söderhäll, PhD

, 

Nathalie Acevedo, MD, MSc

, 

Allan Becker, MD

, 

Michael Brauer, ScD

, 

Moira Chan-Yeung, MB

, 

F. Nicole Dijk, MD

, 

Joachim Heinrich, PhD

, 

Johan de Jongste, MD, PhD

, 

Gerard H. Koppelman, MD, PhD

, 

Dirkje S. Postma, MD, PhD

, 

Juha Kere, MD, PhD

, 

Anita L. Kozyrskyj, PhD

, 

Göran Pershagen, MD, PhD

,

Andrew Sandford, PhD

, 

Marie Standl, PhD

, 

Carla M.T. Tiesler, MSc

, 

Melanie Waldenberger, PhD

, 

Marit Westman, MD

, 

Christopher Carlsten, MD, MPH

, 

Erik Melén, MD, PhD

Open Access

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2014.08.016

Open access funded by the Author(s)

Article Info

• Abstract
• Full Text
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• References

The high heritability and comorbidity between allergic rhinitis and asthma suggest common etiologies and genetic susceptibility loci. Among the most robust signals for asthma is the chromosomal locus 17q21.1 Studies that examined whether this strong asthma locus is also associated with allergic rhinitis have yielded conflicting results. A recent large genome-wide association study (GWAS)2 and a candidate gene study3 identified associations between genetic variants at the 17q21 locus and allergic rhinitis, in contrast to null findings in previous GWASs on allergic rhinitis4,5 and self-reported allergy.

New challenges in modern vaccinology

Review

Mireille Centlivre¹² and Béhazine Combadière^12*

BMC Immunology 2015, 16:18  doi:10.1186/s12865-015-0075-2

Abstract

Vaccination has been a major advance for health care, allowing eradication or reduction of incidence and mortality of various infectious diseases. However, there are major pathogens, such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or the causative agent of malaria, for which classical vaccination approaches have failed, therefore requiring new vaccination strategies. The development of new vaccine strategies relies on the ability to identify the challenges posed by these pathogens.

Sublingual or subcutaneous immunotherapy for seasonal allergic rhinitis: an indirect analysis of efficacy, safety and cost

J Eval Clin Pract. 2014 Jun;20(3):225-38. doi: 10.1111/jep.12112. Epub 2014 Jan 21.

Dranitsaris G, Ellis AK

Abstract

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

The standard of preventive care for poorly controlled seasonal allergic rhinitis (AR) is subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) with allergen extracts, administered in a physician's office. As an alternative to SCIT, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is now an option for patients with seasonal AR.

Vaccination in children with allergy to non active vaccine components

Review

Fabrizio Franceschini¹, Paolo Bottau², Silvia Caimmi³, Giuseppe Crisafulli⁴, Liotti Lucia⁵, Diego Peroni⁶, Francesca Saretta⁷, Mario Vernich⁸, Carlotta Povesi Dascola⁹ and Carlo Caffarelli^10*

Clinical and Translational Medicine 2015, 4:3  doi:10.1186/s40169-014-0043-0

Abstract

Childhood immunisation is one of the greatest public health successes of the last century. Vaccines contain an active component (the antigen) which induces the immune response. They may also contain additional components such as preservatives, additives, adjuvants and traces of other substances.

Pollen Allergies in Humans and their Dogs, Cats and Horses: Differences and Similarities

Review

Erika Jensen-Jarolim^1*, Lukas Einhorn¹, Ina Herrmann², Johann G Thalhammer² and Lucia Panakova²

Clinical and Translational Allergy 2015, 5:15  doi:10.1186/s13601-015-0059-6

Abstract

Both humans and their most important domestic animals harbor IgE and a similar IgE receptor repertoire and expression pattern. The same cell types are also involved in the triggering or regulation of allergies, such as mast cells, eosinophils or T-regulatory cells. Translational clinical studies in domestic animals could therefore help cure animal allergies and at the same time gather knowledge relevant to human patients.

A laboratory test based on determination of cytokine profiles: a promising assay to identify exposition to contact allergens and predict the clinical outcome in occupational allergic contact dermatitis

Methodology article

Valentina Bordignon^1*, Francesca Palamara², Giorgia Altomonte², Isabella Sperduti³, Mario Pietravalle¹, Claudia Cavallotti⁴, Paola Cordiali-Fei¹, Maria Pia Fuggetta⁵, Antonio Cristaudo² and Fabrizio Ensoli¹

BMC Immunology 2015, 16:4  doi:10.1186/s12865-015-0066-3

Abstract

Background

Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is the main allergen causing adverse reactions to hair dyes and a frequent cause of occupational-related skin sensitization among hairdressers and beauticians. The immunologic mechanism of the disease relies on the production of inflammatory cytokines by allergen-specific T cells, while regulatory T cells are thought to down-modulate the allergic response. This study was aimed at investigating the expression of effector or regulatory cytokines in exposed subjects in order to verify whether different cytokine profiles might predict distinct clinical outcomes.