Tuft cells promote reactivation of memory Th2 cells and are required for protective immunity to intestinal helminth re-infection Stanbery et al. show that ILC2s are largely dispensable, but tuft cells remain essential for helminth clearance during secondary infection. Tuft cells are not required for Th2 priming. Instead, tuft cell effectors directly activate memory Th2 cells in the small intestine, extending the paradigm that Th2 cells require tissue-specific cues.

Online now: Tuft cells promote reactivation of memory Th2 cells and are required for protective immunity to intestinal helminth re-infection

Early life allergen sensitivity starts in the skin Nature Reviews Immunology, Published online: 10 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s41577-026-01289-zEarly life exposure to allergens triggers a unique mode of dendritic cell activation in the skin, inducing local inflammation and priming systemic allergic responses to subsequent exposures in later life.

Early life allergen sensitivity starts in the skin

Interaction between airway basal cells, mast cells and type 2 immunity contributes to epithelial barrier dysfunction in allergic rhinitis: www.mucosalimmunology.org/article/S193...

Environmental exposure trains the immune system to dampen allergic responses Clean living conditions that lessen exposure to microorganisms are linked to an increase in allergies. Mouse data reveal how the environment affects allergic immune responses.

The most influential explanation of a recent surge in allergies is the hygiene hypothesis

go.nature.com/40woBkB

Sensory neuron production of substance P and TAFA4 promotes disease tolerance during viral infection Neuroimmune interactions shape host responses to infection, but the molecular role of sensory neurons during viral infection remains unclear. Roger et al. show that HSV-1-activated sensory neurons produce substance P and TAFA4, which act in a tissue-specific manner to modulate inflammation and promote disease tolerance without affecting viral clearance.

Online now: Sensory neuron production of substance P and TAFA4 promotes disease tolerance during viral infection

Hyperactivation of sympathetic nerves fuels basophil infiltration in atopic dermatitis Emotional stress worsens atopic dermatitis and its overall burden, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Xie et al. reveal that anxiety amplifies atopic dermatitis through sympathetic nervous system activation. Sympathetic release of norepinephrine engages β2-adrenergic receptor signaling on basophils, which then release the chemokine CCL6 to drive basophil recruitment and exacerbate skin inflammation.

Online now: Hyperactivation of sympathetic nerves fuels basophil infiltration in atopic dermatitis

Environmentally driven immune imprinting protects against allergy - Nature In a mouse model, environmental immunostimulation in early life led to cross-reactive adaptive immune memory and reduced type II immune responses to allergens, indicating a mechanistic relationship between environmental antigen exposure and subsequent allergy.

Nature research paper: Environmentally driven immune imprinting protects against allergy

go.nature.com/46lGExb

Neuro-epithelial circuits promote sensory convergence and intestinal immunity - Nature Specific pain-sensing nociceptors and chemosensory tuft cells form a circuit to promote type 2 immune responses in the intestine.

Nature research paper: Neuro-epithelial circuits promote sensory convergence and intestinal immunity

go.nature.com/4qeRjlt

Mast cell-specific CysLT2 receptor signaling inhibits cysteinyl leukotriene-dependent mast cell activation and type 2 allergic lung inflammation Nagai et al. reveal that mast cell CysLT2 receptor functions as a checkpoint receptor that restrains CysLT1 receptor-mediated mast cell activation through Gβγ-dependent cAMP/PKA signaling. This study uncovers a protective pathway in asthma and highlights the therapeutic promise of LTD4-based CysLT2 receptor-biased agonists.

Mast cell-specific CysLT2 receptor signaling inhibits cysteinyl leukotriene-dependent mast cell activation and type 2 allergic lung inflammation

Review @jci.org
Mechanisms and clinical implications of gut-brain interactions
www.jci.org/articles/vie...

Germline-encoded recognition of peanut underlies development of convergent antibodies in humans Germline-encoded, epitope-specific antibodies underlie serum IgG recognition of the immunodominant peanut allergen Ara h 2 in humans.

Humans may be genetically programmed to produce antibodies against peanut, suggests a #ScienceTranslationalMedicine study showing nonallergic people harbor convergent, germline-encoded antibodies against the allergen Ara h 2. https://scim.ag/3LqfEp9

Cross-regulation between the nervous system and type 2 immunity The nervous and type 2 immune systems regulate each other via cytokines and neurotransmitters, suggesting previously unidentified therapeutic avenues.

In a #ScienceImmunology Review from earlier this year, researchers discuss how interactions between the nervous and immune systems could impact neurological disorders and allergy-related behaviors like food avoidance. https://scim.ag/3Y1hcsr

The cover image shows the surface representation (gray) of the ligand-bound paired immunoglobulin-like type 2 receptor alpha (PILRA) protein.

An anti-allergy vaccine protects mice from anaphylaxis for as long as one year, mRNA-ferrying nanoparticles treat fatty liver disease in animals and potentiate immunotherapy against liver tumors, and more this week in #ScienceTranslationalMedicine. https://scim.ag/3XxHAdi

Long-lived IgE plasma cells that reside in the spleen contribute to the persistence of the IgE response Allergies can persist even in the absence of allergen exposure. Miranda-Waldetario et al. find that IgE-producing plasma cells mature, acquire survival adaptations, and persist for extended periods of time in the spleen and bone marrow, secreting antibodies that can trigger anaphylaxis.

Online now: Long-lived IgE plasma cells that reside in the spleen contribute to the persistence of the IgE response

Central neural circuits underlying itch sensation - Nature Reviews Neuroscience Itch has an important role as a somatosensory defensive mechanism. In this Review, Sun synthesizes CNS circuits underlying itch signal processing and its modulation in the spinal cord, transmission of...

Central neural circuits underlying itch sensation — a Review by Yan-Gang Sun

#neuroscience #neuroskyence

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

congrats Katharina!

Another piece of the puzzle pointing towards the existence of a continuum of host defenses. Classical immunology (search and destroy) and neural protective reflexes/anticipatory reactions go hand in hand to maintain health. Exciting times to study neuroimmunology!

Maternal stress triggers early-life eczema through fetal mast cell programming - Nature Prenatal stress triggers molecular dysregulations in fetal neuroimmune circuits, leading to altered mast cell and sensory neuron function, which predisposes offspring to develop eczema in response to otherwise harmless mechanical friction after birth.

Nature research paper: Maternal stress triggers early-life eczema through fetal mast cell programming

go.nature.com/3UPz8Vm

Childhood eczema linked to mother’s stress during pregnancy The causes of early-life eczema have been unclear, but evidence indicates that changes to fetal immune cells and sensory neurons during pregnancy play a key part.

The causes of early-life eczema have been unclear, but evidence indicates that changes to fetal immune cells and sensory neurons during pregnancy play a key part

go.nature.com/45Y9aUQ

How allergens make us cough and weeze — by poking holes in airway cells The immune system senses damage to cell membranes caused by pore-forming proteins and mounts a response.

The sneezing, itchy eyes and coughing elicited by some allergens are caused by proteins creating holes in airway cells.

go.nature.com/3H9B1cd

A graphic showing that interactions between the nervous system and type 2 immunity occur across multiple organs depending on the context of allergic triggers or injury.

In a recent #ScienceImmunology Review, researchers discuss how interactions between the nervous and immune systems could impact neurological disorders and allergy-related behaviors like food avoidance.

Learn more: scim.ag/4mpgzE5

Neuroanatomical organization of electroacupuncture in modulating gastric function in mice and humans Dong et al. establish that somatic electroacupuncture potentiates gastric motility in a manner critically dependent on both stimulation intensity and needle insertion depth while delineating the underlying neuroanatomical basis comprising somatosensory primary afferents and vagal motor efferents.

Online now:

Mast cells regulate the brain-dura interface and CSF dynamics Dural mast cells control cerebrospinal fluid dynamics at critical brain-dura interfaces, specifically arachnoid cuff exit points. Their activation limits pathogen brain entry via histamine-induced vas...

Excited to share our new work, led by an exceptional graduate student, Tornike Mamuladze, on the role of meningeal mast cells in regulation of brain/dura access points, with implications to CSF flow dynamics and meningitis || www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...

Giant map details nerves across a mouse's body: see stunning pics Nature - High-resolution imaging method could lead to wiring diagram for the whole body.

A speedy imaging method can map the nerves running from a mouse’s brain and spinal cord to the rest of its body at micrometre-scale resolution

go.nature.com/3Il0e3x

Forum @cp-trendsimmuno.bsky.social
Neuro–immune crosstalk: focus on innate lymphoid cells
www.cell.com/trends/immun...

DOCK8 in T cells promotes Th17 and Treg cell functionality to restrain mucosal mast cells and limit susceptibility to oral anaphylaxis DOCK8-deficient patients and mice are prone to food allergy and oral anaphylaxis. Here, Janssen et al. demonstrate that DOCK8 deficiency yields expanded mucosal mast cells and elevated circulating tryptase concentrations. Loss of DOCK8 in T cells impairs Th17 and Treg cells, resulting in dysbiosis and unrestrained IL-4-driven mast cell expansion. Disruption of this cascade attenuates oral anaphylaxis.

Online now: DOCK8 in T cells promotes Th17 and Treg cell functionality to restrain mucosal mast cells and limit susceptibility to oral anaphylaxis

Time is running out to register for the AAI Introductory Course in Immunology! Generous (1k) travel grants available! www.surveymonkey.com/r/intro25fun...

Join me and other expert faculty in LA from July 8-13. I will be lecturing on my favorite topic: Type 2 immunity! www.aai.org/Education/Co....