The Editor takes a closer look at some of this month's articles

Abstract

Clinical & Experimental AllergyVolume 45, Issue 10 p. 1477-1477 Editor's ChoiceFree Access The Editor takes a closer look at some of this month's articles First published: 15 September 2015 https://doi.org/10.1111/cea.12629AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Viral immunity: key differences between the gut and lung in asthma Rhinoviruses play an important part in asthma exacerbations, and viral antibody titres against these members of the enterovirus genus are higher in asthmatic children than healthy controls. Iwasaki et al. (pp. 1523–1530) have asked whether this was also the case for the gut tropic enteroviruses echovirus 30, which causes an acute febrile illness in children, and the Sabin 1 poliovirus. They found that IgG titres against echovirus, but not poliovirus, were lower in asthmatic children compared to matched healthy controls. Whether this was due to a protective effect of echovirus infection on the development of asthma or a diminished antibody immune response to echovirus in asthmatics is not clear. However, the study emphasizes the potential importance of differential, organ-specific, mucosal immune responses in the development of asthma. Jua Iwasaki Total (a) and species-specific (b) IgG1 antibody binding to echovirus 30 VP1 and human Sabin 1 poliovirus VP1 antigens in Emergency Department (ED) asthmatics and nonasthmatic children. [See Figure 1b in J. Iwasaki et al. (pp. 1523–1530)]. Predicting anaphylaxis with bee venom immunotherapy: a role for the basophil test? Measuring the sensitivity of basophil activation to in vitro allergen challenge, either by mediator release or changes in receptor expression, has been a test without an established clinical role for a long time. Korošec et al. (pp. 1579–1589) have investigated which factors including basophil sensitivity predict allergic reactions to ultra-rush immunotherapy for bee venom anaphylaxis. They studied a range of clinical and immunological measurements in 93 patients, 13 of whom had severe systemic reactions (5 had to have their IT stopped). Pre-treatment basophil sensitivity was the only independent predictor of both a severe systemic reaction and having to stop treatment. A useful test therefore for groups which undertake this approach to bee venom IT. Peter Korosec A bee. (Photo credit: James Petts, London, England; Wikimedia Commons). Prostaglandin E2: how can we harness its protective properties? It has been known for many years that prostaglandin E2 has bronchoprotective properties on both airway inflammatory cells and airway smooth muscle contraction, but so far this potent inhibitory pathway has not been exploited in drug development 1. In part, this is because the exact mechanisms involved remain unclear. Further clarity is brought to the subject by Torres et al. (pp. 1590–1600) who have investigated the effects of PGE2 in the asthma allergen challenge model using two strains of mice; BALB/c which is a mast cell-dependent model and C57BL/6 mice which is mast cell independent. They convincingly demonstrate that the inhibitory properties of PGE2 on inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness are mast cell dependent and mediated through the mast cell E prostanoid 2 (EP2) receptor. There must be a therapeutic target somewhere in this pathway. Rosa Torres and Mariona Serra The molecular structure of Prostaglandin E2. (Photo credit: NEUROtiker; Wikimedia Commons). Reference 1Pavord ID, Tattersfield AE. Bronchoprotective role for endogenous prostaglandin E2. Lancet 1995; 345: 436– 8. Caption to cover illustration: Immune mechanisms of tolerance and sensitization to foods. [See figure 1 of M. C. Berin (pp. 1483–1496)]. This logo highlights the Editor's choice articles on the cover and the first page of each of the articles. Volume45, Issue10October 2015Pages 1477-1477 ReferencesRelatedInformation