Search

Neutrophil cationic proteins (NCPs) are a group of granule antimicrobial and inflammatory proteins released by activated neutrophils. These proteins primarily function via their positively charged structure, which facilitates interactions with bacterial membranes and the formation of immunogenic DNA complexes, thereby contributing to the initiation of wound repair in injured skin. After analyzing the structural properties of secreted neutrophil granule proteins, we identified OLFM4 as the only negatively charged molecule that interferes with NCP oligomerization. Through this interference, OLFM4 can inhibit neutrophil-mediated bacterial killing and DNA complex-dependent activation of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and neutrophils. While addition of exogenous OLFM4 blocks these processes, OLFM4 inhibition enhances neutrophil-dependent bacterial killing and DNA complex formation, ultimately leading to accelerated closure of skin wounds., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Autoinflammation is a sterile inflammatory process resulting from increased neutrophil infiltration and overexpression of IL-1 cytokines. The factors that trigger these events are, however, poorly understood. By investigating pustular forms of psoriasis, we show that human neutrophils constitutively express IL-26 and abundantly release it from granular stores upon activation. In pustular psoriasis, neutrophil-derived IL-26 drives the pathogenic autoinflammation process by inducing the expression of IL-1 cytokines and chemokines that further recruit neutrophils. This occurs via activation of IL-26R in keratinocytes and via the formation of complexes between IL-26 and microbiota DNA, which trigger TLR9 activation of neutrophils. Thus our findings identify neutrophils as an important source of IL-26 and point to IL-26 as the key link between neutrophils and a self-sustaining autoinflammation loop in pustular psoriasis., (© 2024 Baldo et al.)

Histamine is responsible for many processes mediated by different receptors expressed on a variety of cells. The discovery of the first H1 antihistamines in the 1940s led to the development of numerous H1 and H2 antagonists with a broad application in many indications. The recent identification of two new histamine receptors (H3, H4) in the 1980s and 2000s led to the market authorization in Switzerland of new drugs since 2018. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief overview of the physiology of histamine, the recent development of new compounds in this field, antihistamine drug indications and relevant side effects., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Allergenic immunotherapy consists of repeated administration of allergenic extracts to which an individual is allergic. It is currently the only treatment that modifies the course of allergic disease and induces short- as well as long-term remission of symptoms. Two formulations are currently available: subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) or sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), with comparable efficacy. In specific situations, it can be used in combination with the new approved biologic therapies for asthma to improve tolerance of immunotherapy., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

NSAID-Exacerbated respiratory disease (also known as Samter's or Widal's triad, aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease) is characte- rized by asthma, nasal polyposis and hypersensitivity to NSAIDs. The pathogenesis of this chronic inflammation arises from an imbalance in arachidonic acid metabolism, leading to an increase in pro- inflammatory cysteinyl-leukotrienes. The treatment is based on drug management of asthma and polyps and, in advanced situations, surgical management of polyposis. Monoclonal antibodies have shown promising results in the further medical treatment of this entity., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

« Penicillin allergy » is a common finding in patient's medical files (up to 10 %). Although it is important not to neglect such records (due to the serious and life-threatening reactions an allergic patient may suffer from), most of the time these reported notions of allergy are wrong and lead to the unfortunate avoidance of all betalactamins. This in turn leads to increased risks of antibiotic resistance and increased health costs. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on penicillin allergy epidemiologic data and proposes a first-line guide for general practitioners to the evaluation of the patient with a history of « penicillin allergy »., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.