Fine-tuning Mast Cells is Essential for the Maintenance and Regulation of the Systemic and Immune Homeostasis

During the past decades, populous expansion in mast cell scientific literature came forth with more, than forty-four thousand PubMed publications available to date. Such surge is due to the appreciation of the momentous role of mast cells in the evolution of species, in the development and maintenance of vital physiological functions, such as reproduction, homeostasis, and fluids, diverse immunological roles, and the potential of far-reaching effects despite minute numbers. While the emerging knowledge of the importance of mast cells in equilibrium comes of age when looking at the matter from an evolutionary perspective, the recognition of mast cells beyond detrimental performance in allergies and asthma, during protection against parasites, falters. Beyond well known classical functions, mast cells can process and present antigens,can serve as a viral reservoir, can respond to hormones and xenobiotics,initiate antiviral and antibacterial responses, phagocytosis, apoptosis, and participate in important developmental cornerstones. During evolution,upon the development of a sophisticated niche of innate and adaptive cell populations, certain mast cell functions became partially transmutable,yet the potency of mast cells remained considerable. Reviewing mast cells enables us to reflect on the certitude, that our sophisticated, complex physiology is rooted deeply in evolution, which we carry ancient remnants of, ones that may have decisive roles in our functioning. This communication sets out the goal of characterizing mast cells, particularly the aspects less in limelight yet of immense significance, without the aspiration exhaust it all.

First Characterization and Description of Aspergillus Series Versicolores in French Bioaerosols

Air quality can be altered by fungal contaminants suspended in the air, forming bioaerosols. Aspergilli section Nidulantes series Versicolores are recurrent in bioaerosols and are mainly responsible for allergies and asthma aggravation. Phylogenetic studies recently identified 12 new species within this series. This study is the first to identify species of Aspergillus series Versicolores in French bioaerosols and to characterize them macroscopically, microscopically and molecularly. Bioaerosols were collected in a cancer treatment center, in contaminated homes and in agricultural environments. A total of 93 isolates were cultured on selective media, observed by optical microscopy and identified by benA amplification before sequencing. The field data (temperature and relative humidity) were statistically tested to explore the ecology of these species. Eight species were identified from bioaerosols: Aspergillus creber and A. jensenii, which represent more than 80% of the isolates, and A. protuberus, A. puulaauensis, A. sydowii, A. tabacinus, A. amoenus and A. fructus. Aspergilli series Versicolores are distributed differently depending on the sampling site and climatic determinants. Aspergillus protuberus was found in bioaerosols collected under significantly lower relative humidity (p = 3.899 × 10−4). Characterization and repartition of these isolates belonging to the Versicolores series constitute an important step to better assess exposure to fungal bioaerosols.

Could the Epigenetics of Eosinophils in Asthma and Allergy Solve Parts of the Puzzle?

Epigenetics is a field of study investigating changes in gene expression that do not alter the DNA sequence. These changes are often influenced by environmental or social factors and are reversible. Epigenetic mechanisms include DNA methylation, histone modification, and noncoding RNA. Understanding the role of these epigenetic mechanisms in human diseases provides useful information with regard to disease severity and development. Several studies have searched for the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate allergies and asthma; however, only few studies have used samples of eosinophil, a proinflammatory cell type known to be largely recruited during allergic or asthmatic inflammation. Such studies would enable us to better understand the factors that influence the massive recruitment of eosinophils during allergic and asthmatic symptoms. In this review, we sought to summarize different studies that aimed to discover differential patterns of histone modifications, DNA methylation, and noncoding RNAs in eosinophil samples of individuals with certain diseases, with a particular focus on those with asthma or allergic diseases.

Deposition Rates of Asthma Triggers on Conventional and Enclosed Window Treatments

Environmental interventions are an important element of managing allergies and asthma. Health professionals often recommend that draperies be replaced with window blinds however no data exist on accumulation of inhalant allergens or inflammatory bioaerosols on window treatments. Installing blinds that accumulate less dust may reduce breathing zone exposures when blinds are adjusted if hazardous amounts of bioaerosols are deposited. We sought to determine the rate of accumulation of dust, allergens, bacterial endotoxin and fungal glucan on window blinds of two distinct types mounted on the two types of windows most commonly installed in U.S. homes. The blinds tested were conventional horizontal slat blinds hanging on the inside of the window (roomside blinds) and similar blinds placed between the exterior window glass and an extra pane of glass on the interior side (between-glass blinds). The study was conducted in six households as a paired, repeated measures study. Households were identified for participation, having met the study criteria of children and cats living inside a carpeted home. Standard window blinds accumulated cat allergen, endotoxin and fungal glucan at rates of 5940ng/m², 1910EU/m², and 11,360ng/m² per month. Between-glass blinds reduced the loading of asthma triggers by 25- to 185-fold. Comparison with clinical thresholds associated with asthma morbidity indicates that room-side blinds accumulate potentially hazardous quantities of asthma triggers.

Abstract P162: Comorbid Asthma And Allergies Are Common In Children With Congenital Heart Disease And Related To Decreased Physical Functioning

Background: Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common birth defect and asthma and allergies are common conditions in childhood. The co-occurrence of these is not well understood but may be increased due to similar risk factors or immune dysregulation related to early life inflammation. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of asthma and allergies between children with CHD and their unaffected siblings and assess their impact on physical functioning in children with CHD. Methods: Parent-reported data was collected on allergy medications and asthma diagnosis, physical functioning (PedsQL physical health), and characteristics in children (age 12-17) with surgically treated CHD and an unaffected sibling (age 11-18). The McNemar test compared the comorbidities between siblings. Among children with CHD, logistic and linear regression were used to estimate the association of each comorbidity with child characteristics and physical functioning respectively. Models included CHD severity, SES, age, BMI, and sex. Results: Among 218 sibling pairs, the children with CHD had a higher, but not statistically significant, prevalence of asthma and allergies (Figure 1). In all 497 children with CHD, single ventricle CHD had a 2.5 times greater odds of allergies compared with non-critical (95%CI=1.0,6.0) with no difference in asthma. Asthma was associated with decreased physical functioning (8.7 point decrease vs no asthma, 95%CI=-14.5,-2.9). Conclusions: Children with CHD and their siblings had similar levels of allergies and asthma. However, as symptoms of these conditions may overlap, studies should further investigate a possible link with CHD, especially given the lower physical health in patients with CHD and asthma.

Presence of Allergies and Their Impact on Sleep in Children Who Stutter

Purpose Population-based research has identified insomnia or trouble sleeping, sleepiness during the day, and fatigue during the day as frequent coexisting conditions in children who stutter (CWS). Considering that allergies are well known to disturb sleep, the purpose of this study was to explore if there is an association between the presence of allergies and sleep issues among CWS, as well as if allergies are frequent in CWS. Method Data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey were used. Children used in this sample were those whose caregivers answered definitively whether or not the child stuttered within the past 12 months. Additionally, caregivers identified the presence of allergies and/or asthma and the presence of insomnia or trouble sleeping in the sample child. Results The sample included 200 CWS and 9,951 children who do not stutter (CWNS). The odds of insomnia/trouble sleeping were greater in CWS who present with allergies and/or asthma, with the exception of food allergy, compared to CWS who do not present with with allergies and/or asthma. Additionally, the odds of insomnia/trouble sleeping were greater in CWS without any allergy, asthma, and coexisting disability ( OR = 7.48, p < .001) as compared to CWNS without any allergy, asthma, and coexisting disability. The presence of either any allergy or an asthma attack was higher among CWS (46.4%) compared to CWNS (29.5%), p < .001. Specifically, CWS were found to be at greater odds of presenting with any kind of respiratory allergy ( OR = 1.72, p = .034), food allergy ( OR = 2.32, p = .002), and skin allergy ( OR = 1.84, p = .009) than CWNS. Conclusions CWS were found to be at greater odds of allergies and asthma, conditions that also impair sleep. Interestingly, insomnia/trouble sleeping was prevalent among CWS, even when allergies, asthma, and coexisting disabilities were not present. The possible implications of these findings are discussed.

Asthma Activity and Respiratory Morbidity in Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Retrospective Comparative Observational Study

Background. According to available studies during the pandemic, the incidence of COVID-19 among children was significantly lower than among adults. However, it remains unclear whether children with allergies and asthma are at risk for COVID-19 and whether the respiratory morbidity have changed during the pandemic in children with asthma as well as the asthma activity. Aims to determine the respiratory morbidity in children with and without asthma before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, to estimate asthma activity. Methods. The main group was formed of 60 children 617 y.o with confirmed asthma diagnosis, the control group from 30 children aged 617 y.o. without asthma. Data on outcomes in children with asthma and in control group were obtained on the basis of the retrospective collected information from medical records of patients and from questionnaires, filled during telephone call in 2020. Respiratory morbidity was estimated in 2019 and during the COVID-19 pandemic period in 2020 till the end of May. Results. The incidence of upper respiratory tract infections has decreased in 2020 in 72% of children with asthma by an average of 53%; in 86% of children without by an average of 62%. The frequency of lower respiratory tract infections decreased in 37% of children with asthma by an average of 61%, in 20% of children without asthma on 100%. According to the patients parents answers, none of the children were diagnosed with COVID-19. The number of episodes which required additional anti-asthma therapy decreased or didnt change in 77% of patients. According to the results of the Asthma Control Test in 2020 asthma was fully controlled in 82% of patients, 65% of patients had complete adherence to therapy. Conclusions. Children with asthma and allergies, as well as healthy children, do not seem to be at risk of contracting a new coronavirus infection. Lockdown, good adherence to therapy in children with asthma had a positive impact, led to a decrease of respiratory morbidity, exacerbations of asthma, improved disease control. Further monitoring of children with allergies and asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic is required.

The Protective Effects of Helicobacter pylori Infection on Allergic Asthma

As an ancient Gram-negative bacterium, <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> has settled in human stomach. Eradicating <i>H. pylori</i> increases the morbidities of asthma and other allergic diseases. Therefore, <i>H. pylori</i> might play a protective role against asthma. The “disappearing microbiota” hypothesis suggests that the absence of certain types of the ancestral microbiota could change the development of immunology, metabolism, and cognitive ability in our early life, contributing to the development of some diseases. And the Hygiene Hypothesis links early environmental and microbial exposure to the prevalence of atopic allergies and asthma. Exposure to the environment and microbes can influence the growing immune system and protect subsequent immune-mediated diseases. <i>H. pylori</i> can inhibit allergic asthma by regulating the ratio of helper T cells 1/2 (Th1/Th2), Th17/regulatory T cells (Tregs), etc. <i>H. pylori</i> can also target dendritic cells to promote immune tolerance and enhance the protective effect on allergic asthma, and this effect relies on highly suppressed Tregs. The remote regulation of lung immune function by <i>H. pylori</i> is consistent with the gut-lung axis theory. Perhaps, <i>H. pylori</i> also protects against asthma by altering levels of stomach hormones, affecting the autonomic nervous system and lowering the expression of heat shock protein 70. Therapeutic products from <i>H. pylori</i> may be used to prevent and treat asthma. This paper reviews the possible protective influence of <i>H. pylori</i> on allergic asthma and the possible application of <i>H. pylori</i> in treating asthma.