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....

Type 2 cytokines act on enteric sensory neurons to regulate neuropeptide-driven host defense Enteric nervous system (ENS)–derived neuropeptides modulate immune cell function, yet our understanding of how inflammatory cues directly influence enteric neuron responses during infection is conside...

🚨New paper with @thexavierlab.bsky.social @science.org on the critical role of 🔄neuroimmune crosstalk in immune defense in the gut🪱🪱.
🧪@genelayinstitute.bsky.social @mgbresearch.bsky.social @harvardmed.bsky.social @broadinstitute.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

The nervous system comprises the CNS and associated sensory nerves (blue) and the autonomic nervous system, which includes sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves (red) and the ENS (purple). The immune system is composed of cells that span the entire body. This includes the meningiocranial immune system, which comprises immune cells important for neural development, brain repair, and brain border protection. Repeated exposure to allergens at mucosal sites (for example, lung, skin, and gut) can trigger local type 2 immunity. Type 2 immune cells signal to neurons across the periphery and brain through cytokines, whereas neurons signal to immune cells via neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. This is not an exhaustive list of cellular players, given that other tissue resident cells (e.g., fibroblasts and glial cells) may also respond to these signals.

In a new #ScienceImmunology Review, researchers discuss how interactions between the nervous and immune systems could impact neurological disorders and allergy-related behaviors like food avoidance. scim.ag/4mpgzE5

Review @sciimmunology.bsky.social @arimolofskylab.bsky.social @annamolofskylab.bsky.social @nickmroz.bsky.social @phagocyticpai.bsky.social
The nervous and type 2 immune systems regulate each other via cytokines and neurotransmitters
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

The CS: Neuro-immune axis: Charting the periphery #CSNeuroimmune25 abstract deadline has been extended until May 23. @cp-neuron.bsky.social @cp-immunity.bsky.social @alleninstitute.org, Sept 7–9, 2025. hubs.li/Q03lPtw90

The sensory neuroimmune frontier Studies of peripheral neuroimmunology have unveiled sensory biology as a powerful new lens through which both immunology and neuroscience can be viewed. In this perspective, Kim and Artis discuss recent advances in sensory neuroimmunology and highlight how it shapes our understanding of immunity, inflammation, cancer, and beyond.

Online now: The sensory neuroimmune frontier

Why it feels good to scratch that itch: the immune benefits of scratching Scratching where it itches reduces the presence of potentially harmful bacteria on the skin, studies in mice show.

Scratching a mosquito bite can offer a moment of bliss, and now scientists have learnt why: scratching activates an immune response that helps to protect the skin against harmful infections, at least in mice.

https://go.nature.com/4aJpL0r

Scratching promotes allergic inflammation and host defense via neurogenic mast cell activation Itch is a dominant symptom in dermatitis, and scratching promotes cutaneous inflammation, thereby worsening disease. However, the mechanisms through which scratching exacerbates inflammation and wheth...

Why scratching makes a rash worse and a potential benefit to scratching--it reduced S. aureus on skin. Andrew Liu's paper from our lab is out now at #science #neuroimmune #immunology www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Congrats Dan and Andrew!

Beyond classical immunity: Mast cells as signal converters between tissues and neurons Mast cells act as “signal converters,” translating immunological and tissue signals into host-protective behaviors. They sense antigen and possibly toxins driving avoidance behavior, which can prevent inflammation and tissue damage. Beyond classical immunity, mast cells rapidly activate antigen expulsion responses and initiate nociception. These reflexes promote host-protective behavior and maintain tissue integrity.

Happy to share our latest review, 'Beyond classical immunity: Mast cells as signal converters between tissues and neurons'. Mast cells finally emerge as important mediators of neuro-immune communication and host-protective behavior! 🔗 tinyurl.com/3f7eufsm

Let’s talk about the fascinating future of mast cells—drop your thoughts below! 👇

💡 Future directions? Understanding mechanisms of mast cell-modulated behaviors by identification of specific mediators and neural pathways downstream of mast cells.

Reflexive behaviors such as avoidance, itch, nausea, and sneezing protect against intoxication, inflammation, and tissue damage, representing a form of non-classical immunological defense.

🔑 Key insights:
Mast cells don’t just fight parasites or drive allergic pathology; they detect antigens, stress, tissue damage, and inflammation and act as signal converters, translating antigen and tissue cues into organ-specific reflexes via neuronal activation.

Excited to join BlueSky! 🌌 We study the interactions between mast cells and neurons, focusing on how they drive behaviors like itch, cough, and sneezing. Follow along for updates on our research and discoveries here and on our twitter x.com/Plum_immunol...! 🧬✨