A systematic review of the clinical evidence for an association between type I hypersensitivity and inner ear disorders.

Inner ear disorders have a variety of causes, and many factors can contribute to the exacerbation of cochlear and vestibular pathology. This systematic review aimed to analyze clinical data on the coexistence and potential causal interaction between allergic diseases and inner ear conditions. A search of PubMed and Web of Science identified 724 articles, of which 21 were selected for full-text analysis based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Elevated baseline soluble FcεRI may be linked to early response to omalizumab treatment in chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Background: Omalizumab, an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody, is an effective treatment in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Predictors of fast and good response for omalizumab treatment have not yet been identified and characterized.

Objective: To evaluate whether soluble FcεRI (sFcεRI), a marker of IgE-mediated mast cell activation, predicts the time of response to omalizumab in CSU.

Positive Basophil Tests Are Linked to High Disease Activity and Other Features of Autoimmune Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Systematic Review.

Background: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is believed to be Autoimmune (aiCSU) (type IIb CSU) in at least 8% of patients, associated with mast cell-activating IgG autoantibodies. Basophil tests such as the basophil activation test (BAT) and basophil histamine release assay (BHRA) are considered the best single tests for an aiCSU diagnosis. To date, the strength of associations among a positive BAT and/or BHRA (BAT/BHRA) and CSU features, patient demographics, and response to treatment remains poorly characterized.

Soluble IgE-binding factors in the serum of food-allergic patients: Possible pathophysiological role of soluble FcεRI as protective factor.

Background: IgE-mediated food allergy is the result of an aberrant immune response involving the interaction of a food allergen with its specific IgE bound to FcɛRI, the high affinity IgE receptor, on mast cells. Allergen-specific IgE also binds to soluble binding factors, but, their expression and role in food allergy is not well characterized. Here, we assess the prevalence and relevance of soluble IgE binding factors in food allergy and tolerance.

The Number of MRGPRX2-Expressing Cells Is Increased in Skin Lesions of Patients With Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis, But Is Not Linked to Symptom Severity.

Background: Recently, the expression of the mast cell (MC) receptor Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) has been detected in lesional skin of adult patients with cutaneous mastocytosis. As of yet, little is known about the clinical relevance of MRGPRX2 and its agonists in patients with mastocytosis, including indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM).

Methods: MRGPRX2 and MRGPRX2 agonists, cortistatin (CST), and major basic protein (MBP) were analyzed in lesional and non-lesional skin of patients with ISM and skin of healthy controls by immunohistochemistry.

A novel approach for studying mast cell-driven disorders: Mast cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells.

Background: Mast cells (MCs) are considered the main effectors in allergic reactions and well known for their contribution to the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases, urticaria, and mastocytosis. To study their functions in vitro, human primary MCs are isolated directly from several tissues or differentiated from hematopoietic progenitors. However, these techniques bear several disadvantages and challenges including low proliferation capacity, donor-dependent heterogeneity, and the lack of a continuous cell source.

The soluble isoform of human FcɛRI is an endogenous inhibitor of IgE-mediated mast cell responses.

Background: The soluble isoform of FcɛRI, the high-affinity IgE receptor (sFcεRI), is a protein of the IgE network with poorly defined functions.

Objective: To define cellular sources and signals that result in the production of human sFcεRI and study its in vivo functions.

Methods: FcεRI-transfected human cell lines (MelJuso), human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs), and murine bone marrow-derived mast cells (MC) were stimulated by FcεRI cross-linking and release of sFcεRI was analyzed (ELISA, Western Blot).

An algorithm for the classification of mRNA patterns in eosinophilic esophagitis: Integration of machine learning.

Background: Diagnostic evaluation of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) remains difficult, particularly the assessment of the patient's allergic status.

Objective: This study sought to establish an automated medical algorithm to assist in the evaluation of EoE.

Methods: Machine learning techniques were used to establish a diagnostic probability score for EoE, p(EoE), based on esophageal mRNA transcript patterns from biopsies of patients with EoE, gastroesophageal reflux disease and controls.