Background The nonlesional skin of atopic dermatitis (AD) children with peanut allergy (PA) is associated with increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL), low urocanic (UCA) and pyroglutamic (PCA) acids (filaggrin [FLG] breakdown products), and reduced ratio of esterified ω-hydroxy fatty acid sphingosine ceramides (EOS-CER) to non-hydroxy fatty acid sphingosine ceramides (NS-CER) in the skin. The skin

Background Skin transcriptome studies in atopic dermatitis (AD) showed broad dysregulation as well as “improvement” under therapy. These observations were mainly made in trials and based on microarray data. Objectives To explore the skin transcriptome and the impact of systemic treatment in patients of the TREATgermany registry. Methods Biopsies from 59 patients with moderate to severe AD before and

Background Bacterial exposure from house dust has been associated with asthma and atopy in children but whether these relationships are present in adults remains unclear. Objective To examine associations of house dust microbiota with adult asthma, atopy, and hay fever. Methods Vacuumed bedroom dust samples from the homes of 879 participants (average age 62) in the Agricultural Lung Health Study, a

Background Venom-induced anaphylaxis is a common, potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction associated with specific: 1) symptom profile, 2) cofactors, and 3) management. Identifying the differences in phenotypes of anaphylaxis is crucial for future management guidelines and the development of a personalized medicine approach. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the phenotype and risk

The COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has massively distorted our health care systems and caused catastrophic consequences in our affected communities. The number of victims continues to increase and patients at risk can only be protected to a degree, since the virulent state may be asymptomatic. Risk factors concerning COVID-19-induced morbidity and mortality include advanced age, an impaired immune

Research into the pathophysiology of psoriasis remains challenging, because this disease does not occur naturally in laboratory animals. However, specific aspects of its complex immune-pathology can be illuminated through transgenic, knockout, xenotransplantation, immunological reconstitution, drug-induced, or spontaneous mutation models in rodents. Although some of these approaches have already been

Background The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that patients with moderate-to-severe asthma belong to a high-risk group that is susceptible to severe COVID-19. However, the association between asthma and COVID-19 has not been well-established. Objective The primary objective was to determine the prevalence of asthma among COVID-19 patients in a major U.S. health system. We assessed

Background While desensitization and sustained unresponsiveness (SU) have been shown with egg oral immunotherapy (OIT), the benefits of baked egg (BE) therapy for egg allergy have not been well studied. Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of BE ingestion compared to egg OIT in participants allergic to unbaked egg but tolerant to BE. Methods BE tolerant but unbaked egg reactive children ages

Background Over 300 million people carry a diagnosis of asthma with data to suggest they are at higher risk for infection or adverse outcomes from SARS-CoV-2. Asthma is remarkably heterogenous and it is currently unclear how patient intrinsic factors may relate to COVID-19. Objective Identify and characterize subsets of asthmatics at increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods Participants from

Background Asthma is a complex heterogeneous disease occurring in adults and children that is characterized by distinct inflammatory patterns. While numerous studies have been performed in adults, little is known regarding the heterogeneity of severe asthma in children, particularly inflammatory signatures involving the air spaces. Objective To determine the relationship of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a highly heterogeneous disease, both clinically and biologically, whereas patients are still treated according the “one-size-fits-all” approach. Stratification of patients into biomarker-based endotypes is important for future development of personalized therapies. Objective To confirm previously defined serum biomarker-based patient clusters in a new cohort of

Background A syndrome of mammalian meat allergy relating to IgE specific for galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal) was first reported ten years ago in the southeastern United States and has been related to bites of the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum). Objective Here we investigated the epidemiology of the “α-Gal syndrome” in the USA and sought additional evidence for the connection to tick bites

In a large population-based cohort data, adults with asthma had a higher risk of severe COVID-19, which was driven by the increased risk among patients with non-allergic asthma.

The fundamental defect(s) that drives atopic dermatitis (AD) remains controversial. “Outside in” proponents point to the important association of filaggrin gene mutations and other skin barrier defects with AD. The “inside out” proponents derive support from evidence that AD occurs in genetic animal models with overexpression of type 2 immune pathways in their skin, and humans with gain-of-function

The respiratory epithelium provides a physical, functional, and immunologic barrier to protect the host from the potential harming effects of inhaled environmental particles and to guarantee maintenance of a healthy state of the host. When compromised, activation of immune/inflammatory responses against exogenous allergens, microbial substances, and pollutants might occur, rendering individuals prone

The main interfaces controlling and attempting to homeostatically balance communications between the host and the environment are the epithelial barriers of the skin, gastrointestinal system, and airways. The epithelial barrier constitutes the first line of physical, chemical, and immunologic defenses and provides a protective wall against environmental factors. Following the industrial revolution

Food allergy is a major health problem affecting 5 to 10% of the population in developed nations, including an estimated 32 million Americans. Despite the large number of patients suffering from food allergies, up until the end of January 2020, no treatment for food allergies had been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The only options were avoidance of food allergen triggers

Background Professional society guidelines recommend against routine early antibiotic use in the treatment of asthma exacerbation without comorbid bacterial infection. However, high antibiotic prescribing rates have been reported in developed countries, Objective We assessed the effectiveness of this strategy in the routine care of children. Methods Using data on 48,743 children hospitalized for asthma

Background Beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) is a bovine lipocalin in milk with innate defense function. It is not understood under which circumstances BLG is associated with tolerance or allergy towards milk. Objective Here we assessed the capacity of ligand-free (apo-) versus -loaded (holo-) BLG to protect mice against allergy using iron-quercetin as exemplary ligand, and studied the molecular mechanisms

SARS-CoV-2 infection and development of COVID-19 disease presents a major healthcare challenge of global dimensions. Laboratory diagnostics of infected patients, and the assessment of immunity against the SARS-CoV-2 virus presents a major cornerstone in handling the pandemic. Currently there is an increase in demand of antibody testing and a large number of tests are already marketed or in the late

Background Accumulating evidence proposed JAK inhibitors as therapeutic targets warranting rapid investigation. Objective This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib, a Janus-associated kinase (JAK1/2) inhibitor, for COVID-19. Methods We conducted a prospective, multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled phase II trial involving patients with severe COVID-19. Results Forty-three

To-date, there has not been a clear signal suggesting that asthma or treatment with inhaled steroids are a risk factor for severe COVID-19 disease. We have therefore explored ACE2 receptor mRNA expression, and co-factors for Sars-CoV-2 infectivity (TMPRSS2 and furin) in bronchial brushes and biopsies from people with asthma and healthy controls, and looked for relationships between asthma severity

As the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 caused COVID-19 cases in the United States the initial test was developed and performed at the Center for Disease Control (CDC). As the number of cases increased the demand for tests multiplied, leading the CDC to utilize the Emergency Utilization Authorization to allow clinical and commercial laboratories to develop tests to detect the presence of the virus. Many

Background COVID-19 can manifest as a viral induced hyperinflammation with multi-organ involvement. Such patients often experience rapid deterioration and need for mechanical ventilation. Currently, no prospectively validated biomarker of impending respiratory failure is available. Objective We aimed to identify and prospectively validate biomarkers that allow the identification of patients in need

BACKGROUND SARS-CoV-2 has dramatically changed our world, country, communities and families. There is controversy regarding risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease. It has been suggested that asthma and allergy are not highly represented as co-morbid conditions associated with COVID-19. OBJECTIVE To extend our work in interleukin (IL)-13 biology to determine if airway epithelial cell expression of

BACKGROUND PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade has provided significant clinical efficacy across various types of cancer by unleashing both T- and NK cell-mediated anti-tumor responses. However, resistance to immunotherapy occurs for many patients, rendering the identification of the mechanisms that control PD-1 expression extremely important to increase the response to the therapy. OBJECTIVE To identify

BACKGROUND Immunologic dysfunction due to COVID-19 is closely related to clinical prognosis, and the inflammatory response of pregnant women may affect the directional differentiation and function of fetal immune cells. OBJECTIVE To analyze the immune status of newborns from mothers with COVID-19 in the third trimester. METHODS Along with collecting the clinical data from 51 newborns and their respective

BACKGROUND Advanced systemic mastocytosis (advSM) is characterized by the presence of the KIT D816V mutation and pathologic accumulation of neoplastic mast cells (MCs) in various tissues, leading to severe symptoms and organ damage, eg, cytopenias, liver dysfunction, portal hypertension, malabsorption, and weight loss. Treatment with midostaurin, an orally active multikinase/KIT inhibitor now approved

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly increased in pandemic scale since it first appeared in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. In these troubled days the scientific community is asking rapid replies to prevent and combat the emergency. It is generally accepted that only achieving a better understanding of the interactions between the virus and host immune response and of the pathogenesis

BACKGROUND Mutations in the RAG genes cause severe immunodeficiency, with a spectrum of phenotypes ranging from severe combined immunodeficiency to immune dysregulation. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only curative option, but a high risk of graft failure and poor immune reconstitution have been observed in the absence of myeloablation. OBJECTIVES To improve multi-lineage engraftment

Impaired vaccine responses in older individuals are associated with alterations in both the quantity and quality of the T-cell compartment with age. As reviewed herein, the T-cell response to vaccination requires a fine balance between the generation of inflammatory effector T cells versus follicular helper T (TFH) cells that mediate high-affinity antibody production in tandem with the induction of

Aging is a global burden, and the increase in life span does not increase in parallel with health span. Therefore, older adults are currently living longer with chronic diseases, increased infections, and cancer. A characteristic of aging is the presence of chronic low-grade inflammation that is characterized by elevated concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and C-reactive protein, which has been termed inflammaging

In a national cohort, we demonstrate the safety and efficacy of tailored chemo-immunotherapy followed by RIC HSCT for PID-associated lymphoproliferative disorders in children.

BACKGROUND Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD) is characterized by asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), and an intolerance to medications that inhibit cyclooxygenase-1. AERD patients have more severe upper and lower respiratory tract disease compared to aspirin-tolerant CRSwNP patients. A dysregulation in arachidonic acid metabolism is thought to contribute to the enhanced

BACKGROUND The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in Wuhan, December 2019, and continuously poses a serious threat to public health, highlighting the urgent need of identifying biomarkers for disease severity and progression. OBJECTIVE To identify biomarkers for disease severity and progression

BACKGROUND Atopic dermatitis (AD) and food allergy (FA) are associated with skin barrier dysfunction. OBJECTIVE Skin biomarkers are needed for skin barrier interventions studies. METHODS In this study skin tape strip (STS) samples were collected from non-lesional skin of 62 AD FA+, AD FA- and nonatopic (NA) children for mass spectrometry proteomic analysis. TEWL and allergic sensitization were assessed

BACKGROUND Tocopherol isoforms may regulate child lung growth and spirometric measures. OBJECTIVE To determine the extent to which plasma alpha (α-T) or gamma tocopherol (γ-T) isoform levels in early childhood or in-utero are associated with childhood lung function. METHODS We included 622 participants in the Project Viva cohort, who had lung function at a mid-childhood visit (age 6-10 years old).

Eosinophils are circulating and tissue-resident leukocytes that have potent proinflammatory effects in a number of diseases. Recently, eosinophils have been shown to have various other functions, including immunoregulation and antiviral activity. Eosinophil levels vary dramatically in a number of clinical settings, especially following eosinophil-targeted therapy, which is now available to selectively

BACKGROUND Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease, but its complex pathogenesis is only insufficiently understood, resulting in still limited treatment options. OBJECTIVE To characterize AD on both transcriptomic and proteomic levels in humans. METHODS We used skin suction blistering, a painless and non-scarring procedure that can simultaneously sample skin cells

BACKGROUND Early-life wheezing-associated respiratory tract infection by rhinovirus (RV) is a risk factor for asthma development. Infants are infected with many different RV strains per year. OBJECTIVE We previously showed that RV infection of 6 day-old BALB/c mice induces a mucous metaplasia phenotype which is dependent on type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s). We hypothesized that early-life RV infection