The Emerging Role of Mast Cells in Response to Fungal Infection.

Mast cells (MCs) have been considered as the core effector cells of allergic diseases. However, there are evidence suggesting that MCs are involved in the mechanisms of fungal infection. MCs are mostly located in the border between host and environment and thus may have easy contact with the external environmental pathogens. These cells express receptors which can recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns such as Toll-like receptors (TLR2/4) and C-type Lectins receptors (Dectin-1/2). Currently, more and more data indicate that MCs can be interacted with some fungi (Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Sporothrix schenckii). It is demonstrated that MCs can enhance immunity through triggered degranulation, secretion of cytokines and chemokines, neutrophil recruitment, or provision of extracellular DNA traps in response to the stimulation by fungi. In contrast, the involvement of MCs in some immune responses may lead to more severe symptoms, such as intestinal barrier function loss, development of allergic bronchial pulmonary aspergillosis and increased area of inflammatory in S. schenckii infection. This suggests that MCs and their relevant signaling pathways are potential treatment regimens to prevent the clinically unwanted consequences. However, it is not yet possible to make definitive statements about the role of MCs during fungal infection and/or pathomechanisms of fungal diseases. In our article, we aim to review the function of MCs in fungal infections from molecular mechanism to signaling pathways, and illustrate the role of MCs in some common host-fungi interactions.

Case Report: Omalizumab for Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria in Pregnancy.

Most chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) patients are female, and pregnancy can aggravate the disease activity of patients, but little is known about the efficacy and safety of omalizumab in pregnant CSU patients. We report two pregnant CSU patients treated with omalizumab and review the published information on omalizumab treatment during 11 pregnancies. The outcomes reported on patients with known pregnancies showed they had normal pregnancies and healthy babies as well as complete control of their CSU. The two new cases we reported support the view that omalizumab could be an effective and safe treatment option for pregnant and breastfeeding CSU patients. Further high-quality studies need to be carried out in order to obtain more information on the long-term efficacy and safety of the use of omalizumab during pregnancy in patients with chronic urticaria, including CSU.