Allergic conditions have surged to unprecedented levels globally, affecting approximately 30% of the population. Fungi are among the major sources of allergens, accounting for about 6% of respiratory issues. Identifying the causes of respiratory allergies is not always possible. Our study assessed the capacity of two plant parasites, Podosphaera fusca and Peronospora ficariae, which infect Cucurbita pepo and Ficaria verna, to provoke inflammatory and asthmatic reactions in mouse models of acute and chronic asthma. We performed experiments by sensitizing mice through intranasal challenges with extracts from P. fusca and P. ficariae. Subsequently, we used ELISA tests to measure pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, TNF-α, and TGF-β. We evaluated specific IgE production through ELISA and examined histological changes in mouse lungs using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Our research revealed that P. fusca and P. ficariae induced significant production of all tested cytokines, increased specific IgE levels, and caused histological changes characteristic of acute and chronic asthma progression. Although weaker than the reference allergen ovalbumin, P. fusca and P. ficariae possess proinflammatory and asthma-inducing capabilities, indicating the potential to expand the current list of fungal allergens.

Allergic conditions have surged to unprecedented levels globally, affecting approximately 30% of the global population. Fungi are among the most significant sources of allergens, accounting for approximately 6% of respiratory issues in the general population. However, identifying the precise cause of respiratory allergies remains challenging. We investigated the potential of two rust species, Tranzschelia pruni-spinosae and Phragmidium rubi-idaei, which infect common fruit plants, to induce inflammatory and asthmatic responses in mouse models of both acute and chronic asthma. Mice were sensitized and administered intranasal challenges with extracts from T. pruni-spinosae and P. rubi-idaei. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, TNF-α, and TGF-β) were measured via ELISA. Additionally, specific IgE production was assessed via ELISA and lung histology was examined using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Both fungal extracts induced significant increases in all tested cytokines, elevated specific IgE levels, and histological changes characteristic of acute and chronic asthma progression in the lungs. The microfungi T. pruni-spinosae and P. rubi-idaei possess strong proinflammatory and asthma-inducing capabilities, suggesting their potential as previously unrecognized fungal allergens.