Cookie Notice

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Review our cookies information for more details.

OK
skip to main content

Systems biology as a novel tool to discover pathophysiologic mechanisms of chronic urticaria

Published: December 29, 2022

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) consists of the daily, or almost daily, appearance of itchy hives with or without angioedema for more than 6 weeks. It causes significant deterioration in the quality of life of patients and has a substantial impact on healthcare systems. Despite all this, the exact mechanism of the disease remains elusive.

In a recent issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI), Segú-Vergés and coauthors utilized mathematical models that simulate CSU pathophysiology. The authors identified gene expression data and performed a bibliography-based molecular characterization of CSU. They also performed a molecular characterization including all the drug targets existent in public databases. Once the genes, molecules, and drug targets were collected and characterized, the authors utilized systems biology, machine learning, and pattern recognition techniques to create all possible interactions with mast cells.

The authors found that mast cell activation is a key player in CSU, and identified an important role of the high affinity IgE receptor in CSU pathogenesis. Targeting the IgE receptor axis, including the cell signaling cascade involving Bruton Tyrosine kinase, seemed the most promising approaches. Other strategies aimed towards interleukin signaling (IL-4 and IL-5) or Siglec-8 seemed to show promise depending on the patient profile.

Computational CSU models could help not only to unveil the pathology of the disease but also to understand the mechanism of action of drugs available and develop personalized treatments depending on each patient profile. The model also provides a framework with which to compare the molecular and cellular mechanisms of action of future CSU drugs.

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI) is an official scientific journal of the AAAAI, and is the most-cited journal in the field of allergy and clinical immunology.

Full Article