Monday, November 7, 2011

Mechanisms of Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy

Akdis CA, Akdis M. Mechanisms of allergen-specific immunotherapy. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2011; 127:18-27; quiz: 28-29. Abstract
PubMed ID (PMID): 21211639
ReprintC. Akdis 
Comments: Like the previous review published in 2007 by the same authors in this journal, this article is remarkable because it provides a clear and precise digest on the known or suspected mechanisms of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT). Such mechanisms now include:
1. an early mast cell and basophil suppression-related desensitization effect (as observed in rush immunotherapy)
2. an induction of regulatory T-cells
3. an induction of peripheral T-cell tolerance to allergens 
3. a late modulation of allergen-specific IgE and IgG responses In addition to conventional immunotherapy, sublingual and peptide immunotherapy and the use of various adjuvants are discussed herein. Finally, one can find a summary box at the end of the paper, which highlights proven mechanisms of ASIT and questions that still need to be answered. This is a recommended review for everybody: residents, allergologists or for those who still believe that ASIT is just an empirical therapy....
Recommended by: Pascal Prélaud and Ana Rostaher, Clinique Advetia, Paris, France

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Filaggrin and Human Skin Diseases

Irvine AD, McLean IWH, Leung DYM. Filaggrin mutations associated with skin and allergic skin diseases. New England Journal of Medicine 2011; 365: 1315-1327. No Abstract
PubMed ID (PMID): 21991953 
ReprintD. Leung 
Comments: This is a nicely written and well illustrated review on the structure of filaggrin, its function and the implications of FLG mutations in the pathogenesis of ichthyosis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis in humans. Don't forget to view the supplementary material, which has an additional beautiful figure.
Recommended by: Thierry Olivry, NC State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA