About this Research Topic
Proteolysis is an essential element involved in the development of allergy. Such proteolytic events include, notably, mucosal barrier disruption, innate immune activation, allergen processing for MHC II presentation by antigen-presenting cells and, finally, inflammatory reactions mediated by effector cells. Allergens displaying proteolytic activity can mature or degrade other allergens and cleave cellular receptors, cell-cell tight junction proteins, and cytokines to activate cellular signaling events leading to allergic sensitization.
Of note, imbalance in the airway anti-protease network drastically influences the development of airway inflammation. The susceptibility of allergens to endolysosomal proteases during antigen presentation modulates their allergenicity. Meanwhile, the potential of airway commensal bacteria to prevent the development of allergic inflammation and the role of protease allergens on the microbial environment (microbiome but also pathogens) remains largely unknown. The present research topic aims to consolidate and advance our understanding of the emerging role of proteases (from allergenic sources, microbial or from host cells) in the sensitization and effector mechanisms in allergic reactions.
In this research topic we welcome review and original research articles on, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Protease allergens (structure and substrate specificities)
• Innate immune mechanisms triggered by proteases during the allergic sensitization
• Allergen processing and presentation on HLA-II/MHC-II
• Proteostasis in allergy
• The biological role of proteases/protease inhibitors in allergenic sources
• Proteolytic stability of allergens and its effect to antigen processing and presentation
• The effects of protease allergens on microbial environment (endosymbiotic/pathogenic bacteria, viruses)
• Protease inhibitors for the modulation of allergic inflammation (including therapeutic interventions)
• The role of effector cell-derived proteases in the modulation of allergic inflammation
• Proteolytic processing of food allergens in the gastrointestinal tract
Of note, imbalance in the airway anti-protease network drastically influences the development of airway inflammation. The susceptibility of allergens to endolysosomal proteases during antigen presentation modulates their allergenicity. Meanwhile, the potential of airway commensal bacteria to prevent the development of allergic inflammation and the role of protease allergens on the microbial environment (microbiome but also pathogens) remains largely unknown. The present research topic aims to consolidate and advance our understanding of the emerging role of proteases (from allergenic sources, microbial or from host cells) in the sensitization and effector mechanisms in allergic reactions.
In this research topic we welcome review and original research articles on, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Protease allergens (structure and substrate specificities)
• Innate immune mechanisms triggered by proteases during the allergic sensitization
• Allergen processing and presentation on HLA-II/MHC-II
• Proteostasis in allergy
• The biological role of proteases/protease inhibitors in allergenic sources
• Proteolytic stability of allergens and its effect to antigen processing and presentation
• The effects of protease allergens on microbial environment (endosymbiotic/pathogenic bacteria, viruses)
• Protease inhibitors for the modulation of allergic inflammation (including therapeutic interventions)
• The role of effector cell-derived proteases in the modulation of allergic inflammation
• Proteolytic processing of food allergens in the gastrointestinal tract
Keywords: Protease allergens, Innate Immunity, Antigen processing and presentation, endolysosomal proteases, Major Histocompatibility Complex class II (MHC-II), Human Leukocyte Antigen class II (HLA-II), cathepsins, protease inhibitors
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
