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Vassilopoulou E, Venter C, Roth-Walter F. Malnutrition and Allergies: Tipping the Immune Balance towards Health. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4713. [PMID: 39200855 PMCID: PMC11355500 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13164713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2024] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Malnutrition, which includes macro- and micronutrient deficiencies, is common in individuals with allergic dermatitis, food allergies, rhinitis, and asthma. Prolonged deficiencies of proteins, minerals, and vitamins promote Th2 inflammation, setting the stage for allergic sensitization. Consequently, malnutrition, which includes micronutrient deficiencies, fosters the development of allergies, while an adequate supply of micronutrients promotes immune cells with regulatory and tolerogenic phenotypes. As protein and micronutrient deficiencies mimic an infection, the body's innate response limits access to these nutrients by reducing their dietary absorption. This review highlights our current understanding of the physiological functions of allergenic proteins, iron, and vitamin A, particularly regarding their reduced bioavailability under inflamed conditions, necessitating different dietary approaches to improve their absorption. Additionally, the role of most allergens as nutrient binders and their involvement in nutritional immunity will be briefly summarized. Their ability to bind nutrients and their close association with immune cells can trigger exaggerated immune responses and allergies in individuals with deficiencies. However, in nutrient-rich conditions, these allergens can also provide nutrients to immune cells and promote health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Vassilopoulou
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Univertià degli Studi die Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Carina Venter
- Pediatrics, Section of Allergy & Immunology, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Box B518, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Franziska Roth-Walter
- Messerli Research Institute, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Indolfi C, Dinardo G, Grella C, Klain A, Perrotta A, Mondillo G, Marrapodi MM, Decimo F, Miraglia del Giudice M. Exploring the Interplay between Asthma and Hemoglobinopathies: A Comprehensive Review. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3263. [PMID: 38892971 PMCID: PMC11172992 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Asthma, a prevalent chronic respiratory condition characterized by inflammation of the airways and bronchoconstriction, has demonstrated a potential association with hemoglobinopathies such as thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD). Numerous studies have highlighted a higher prevalence of asthma among thalassemia patients compared to the general population, with rates ranging around 30%. Similarly, asthma frequently coexists with SCD, affecting approximately 20-48% of patients. Children with SCD often experience heightened lower airway obstruction and airway hyper-reactivity. Notably, the presence of asthma in SCD exacerbates respiratory symptoms and increases the risk of severe complications like acute chest syndrome, stroke, vaso-occlusive episodes, and early mortality. Several studies have noted a decrease in various cytokines such as IFN-γ and IL-10, along with higher levels of both IL-6 and IL-8, suggesting an overactivation of pro-inflammatory mechanisms in patients with hemoglobinopathies, which could trigger inflammatory conditions such as asthma. The exact mechanisms driving this association are better elucidated but may involve factors such as chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune dysregulation associated with thalassemia-related complications like chronic hemolytic anemia and iron overload. This review aims to comprehensively analyze the relationship between asthma and hemoglobinopathies, with a focus on thalassemia and SCD. It emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among pulmonologists, hematologists, and other healthcare professionals to effectively manage this complex interplay. Understanding this link is crucial for improving care and outcomes in affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulio Dinardo
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.I.); (C.G.); (A.K.); (A.P.); (G.M.); (M.M.M.); (F.D.); (M.M.d.G.)
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Sumi MP, Tupta B, Roychowdhury S, Comhair S, Asosingh K, Stuehr DJ, Erzurum SC, Ghosh A. Hemoglobin resident in the lung epithelium is protective for smooth muscle soluble guanylate cyclase function. Redox Biol 2023; 63:102717. [PMID: 37120930 PMCID: PMC10172757 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemoglobin (Hb) present in the lung epithelium is of unknown significance. However Hb being an nitric oxide (NO) scavenger can bind to NO and reduce its deleterious effects. Hence we postulated an NO scavenging role for this lung Hb. Doing transwell co-culture with bronchial epithelial cells, A549/16-HBE (apical) and human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs as basal), we found that Hb can protect the smooth muscle soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) from excess NO. Inducing the apical A549/16-HBE cells with cytokines to trigger iNOS expression and NO generation caused a time dependent increase in SNO-sGC and this was accompanied with a concomitant drop in sGC-α1β1 heterodimerization. Silencing Hbαβ in the apical cells further increased the SNO on sGC with a faster drop in the sGC heterodimer and these effects were additive along with further silencing of thioredoxin 1 (Trx1). Since heme of Hb is critical for NO scavenging we determined the Hb heme in a mouse model of allergic asthma (OVA) and found that Hb in the inflammed OVA lungs was low in heme or heme-free relative to those of naïve lungs. Further we established a direct correlation between the status of the sGC heterodimer and the Hb heme from lung samples of human asthma, iPAH, COPD and cystic fibrosis. These findings present a new mechanism of protection of lung sGC by the epithelial Hb, and suggests that this protection maybe lost in asthma or COPD where lung Hb is unable to scavenge the NO due to it being heme-deprived.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamta P Sumi
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Blair Tupta
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Sanjoy Roychowdhury
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Suzy Comhair
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Kewal Asosingh
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Dennis J Stuehr
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Serpil C Erzurum
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Arnab Ghosh
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.
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Peroni DG, Hufnagl K, Comberiati P, Roth-Walter F. Lack of iron, zinc, and vitamins as a contributor to the etiology of atopic diseases. Front Nutr 2023; 9:1032481. [PMID: 36698466 PMCID: PMC9869175 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1032481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Micronutritional deficiencies are common in atopic children suffering from atopic dermatitis, food allergy, rhinitis, and asthma. A lack of iron, in particular, may impact immune activation with prolonged deficiencies of iron, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin D associated with a Th2 signature, maturation of macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs), and the generation of IgE antibodies. In contrast, the sufficiency of these micronutrients establishes immune resilience, promotion of regulatory cells, and tolerance induction. As micronutritional deficiencies mimic an infection, the body's innate response is to limit access to these nutrients and also impede their dietary uptake. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the physiological function of iron, zinc, and vitamins A and D in relation to immune cells and the clinical consequences of deficiencies in these important nutrients, especially in the perinatal period. Improved dietary uptake of iron is achieved by vitamin C, vitamin A, and whey compounds, whereas zinc bioavailability improves through citrates and proteins. The addition of oil is essential for the dietary uptake of beta-carotene and vitamin D. As for vitamin D, the major source comes via sun exposure and only a small amount is consumed via diet, which should be factored into clinical nutritional studies. We summarize the prevalence of micronutritional deficiencies of iron, zinc, and vitamins in the pediatric population as well as nutritional intervention studies on atopic diseases with whole food, food components, and micronutrients. Dietary uptake via the lymphatic route seems promising and is associated with a lower atopy risk and symptom amelioration. This review provides useful information for clinical studies and concludes/emphasizes that a healthy, varied diet containing dairy products, fish, nuts, fruits, and vegetables as well as supplementing foods or supplementation with micronutrients as needed is essential to combat the atopic march.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego G. Peroni
- Section of Paediatrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Karin Hufnagl
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pasquale Comberiati
- Section of Paediatrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Franziska Roth-Walter
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,*Correspondence: Franziska Roth-Walter, ;
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Roth-Walter F. Iron-Deficiency in Atopic Diseases: Innate Immune Priming by Allergens and Siderophores. FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY 2022; 3:859922. [PMID: 35769558 PMCID: PMC9234869 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2022.859922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although iron is one of the most abundant elements on earth, about a third of the world's population are affected by iron deficiency. Main drivers of iron deficiency are beside the chronic lack of dietary iron, a hampered uptake machinery as a result of immune activation. Macrophages are the principal cells distributing iron in the human body with their iron restriction skewing these cells to a more pro-inflammatory state. Consequently, iron deficiency has a pronounced impact on immune cells, favoring Th2-cell survival, immunoglobulin class switching and primes mast cells for degranulation. Iron deficiency during pregnancy increases the risk of atopic diseases in children, while both children and adults with allergy are more likely to have anemia. In contrast, an improved iron status seems to protect against allergy development. Here, the most important interconnections between iron metabolism and allergies, the effect of iron deprivation on distinct immune cell types, as well as the pathophysiology in atopic diseases are summarized. Although the main focus will be humans, we also compare them with innate defense and iron sequestration strategies of microbes, given, particularly, attention to catechol-siderophores. Similarly, the defense and nutritional strategies in plants with their inducible systemic acquired resistance by salicylic acid, which further leads to synthesis of flavonoids as well as pathogenesis-related proteins, will be elaborated as both are very important for understanding the etiology of allergic diseases. Many allergens, such as lipocalins and the pathogenesis-related proteins, are able to bind iron and either deprive or supply iron to immune cells. Thus, a locally induced iron deficiency will result in immune activation and allergic sensitization. However, the same proteins such as the whey protein beta-lactoglobulin can also transport this precious micronutrient to the host immune cells (holoBLG) and hinder their activation, promoting tolerance and protecting against allergy. Since 2019, several clinical trials have also been conducted in allergic subjects using holoBLG as a food for special medical purposes, leading to a reduction in the allergic symptom burden. Supplementation with nutrient-carrying lipocalin proteins can circumvent the mucosal block and nourish selectively immune cells, therefore representing a new dietary and causative approach to compensate for functional iron deficiency in allergy sufferers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Roth-Walter
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- *Correspondence: Franziska Roth-Walter ;
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