Initiation and Pathogenesis of Severe Asthma with Fungal Sensitization

Fungi represent one of the most diverse and abundant eukaryotes on earth, and their ubiquity and small proteolytically active products make them pervasive allergens that affect humans and other mammals. The immunologic parameters surrounding fungal allergies are still not fully elucidated despite their importance given that a large proportion of severe asthmatics are sensitized to fungal allergens. Herein, we explore fungal allergic asthma with emphasis on mouse models that recapitulate the characteristics of human disease, and the main leukocyte players in the pathogenesis of fungal allergies. The endogenous mycobiome may also contribute to fungal asthma, a phenomenon that we discuss only superficially, as much remains to be discovered.

Automated summary

Fungi are diverse and abundant eukaryotes that act as pervasive allergens affecting humans and mammals. Despite their significance in severe asthmatics, the immunologic parameters of fungal allergies remain unclear. This study focuses on fungal allergic asthma, using mouse models to replicate human disease characteristics and investigating leukocyte involvement in fungal allergy pathogenesis. The potential contribution of the endogenous mycobiome to fungal asthma is briefly discussed, as much remains to be discovered in this area.