Chronic urticaria and the pathogenic role of mast cells

Daniel Elieh-Ali-Komi; Martin Metz; Pavel Kolkhir; Emek Kocatürk; Jörg Scheffel; Stefan Frischbutter; Dorothea Terhorst-Molawi; Lena Fox; Marcus Maurer

doi:10.1016/j.alit.2023.05.003

Chronic urticaria and the pathogenic role of mast cells

Allergol Int. 2023 Jul;72(3):359-368. doi: 10.1016/j.alit.2023.05.003. Epub 2023 May 18.

Authors

Daniel Elieh-Ali-Komi¹, Martin Metz¹, Pavel Kolkhir¹, Emek Kocatürk², Jörg Scheffel¹, Stefan Frischbutter¹, Dorothea Terhorst-Molawi¹, Lena Fox¹, Marcus Maurer³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Allergology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Allergology and Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Berlin, Germany.
² Institute of Allergology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Allergology and Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Berlin, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
³ Institute of Allergology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Allergology and Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 37210251
DOI: 10.1016/j.alit.2023.05.003

Abstract

The signs and symptoms of chronic urticaria (CU) are caused by the activation and degranulation of skin mast cells (MCs). Recent studies have added to our understanding of how and why skin MCs are involved and different in CU. Also, novel and relevant mechanisms of MC activation in CU have been identified and characterized. Finally, the use of MC-targeted and MC mediator-specific treatments has helped to better define the role of the skin environment, the contribution of specific MC mediators, and the relevance of MC crosstalk with other cells in the pathogenesis of CU. Here, we review these recent findings and their impact on our understanding of CU, with a focus on chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Also, we highlight open questions, issues of controversy, and unmet needs, and we suggest what studies should be performed moving forward.

Keywords: Chronic spontaneous urticaria; FcεRI; IgE; MRGPRX2; Mast cells.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Chronic Urticaria*
Humans
Mast Cells
Skin / pathology
Urticaria* / diagnosis