Search for the lepton-flavor-violating decays B(s)0→e(±)μ(∓) and B0→e(±)μ(∓)

Introduction to Charged Lepton Flavor Violation

Neutrino masses are evidence of lepton flavor violation, but no violation in the interactions among the charged leptons has been observed yet. Many models of Physics Beyond the Standard Model (BSM) predict Charged Lepton Flavor Violation (CLFV) in a wide spectrum of processes with rates in reach of upcoming experiments. The experimental searches that provide the current best limits on the CLFV searches are reviewed, with a particular emphasis on the muon-based experiments that give the most stringent constraints on the BSM parameter space. The next generation of muon-based experiments (MEG-II, Mu2e, COMET, Mu3e) aims to reach improvements by many orders of magnitude with respect to the current best limits, thanks to several technological advancements. We review popular heavy BSM theories, and we present the calculations of the predicted CLFV branching ratios, focusing on the more sensitive μ→e sector.

Experimental Review on Lepton Universality and Lepton Flavour Violation tests in B decays

Tests of lepton flavour universality in B decays offer an excellent opportunity to test the Standard Model, and show hints of new physics in analyses performed by the LHCb, Belle and BaBar experiments. Several theoretical models proposed to explain possible violation of lepton flavour universality claim a connection with lepton flavour violation in B decays. These proceedings review the experimental status of the tests of lepton flavour universality and the searches of lepton flavour violation in B decays.

LHCb results on rare leptonic decays of B-mesons

A search for the rare leptonic decays was performed, using the proton-proton collision data collected with the LHCb experiment at center-ofmass energies of 8TeV and 13TeV. The following analysis are reviewed in this work:

• Measurements of the B0s → µ+µ− branching fraction and effective lifetime and search for B0 → µ+µ− decays

• Search for the decays B0s → τ+τ− and B0 → τ+τ−

• Search for the lepton-flavour violating decays B0(s) → e±µ∓

• Search for the lepton-flavour-violating decays B0s → τ±µ∓ and B0 → τ±µ∓

• Search for the rare decay B+ → µ+µ−µ+νµ

All results are consistent with the Standard Model. Nearly all results presented are either unique or the most accurate for the time.

Dendritic cell-bound IgE functions to restrain allergic inflammation at mucosal sites

Antigen-mediated cross-linking of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) bound to mast cells/basophils via FcɛRI, the high affinity IgE Fc-receptor, is a well-known trigger of allergy. In humans, but not mice, dendritic cells (DCs) also express FcɛRI that is constitutively occupied with IgE. In contrast to mast cells/basophils, the consequences of IgE/FcɛRI signals for DC function remain poorly understood. We show that humanized mice that express FcɛRI on DCs carry IgE like non-allergic humans and do not develop spontaneous allergies. Antigen-specific IgE/FcɛRI cross-linking fails to induce maturation or production of inflammatory mediators in human DCs and FcɛRI-humanized DCs. Furthermore, conferring expression of FcɛRI to DCs decreases the severity of food allergy and asthma in disease-relevant models suggesting anti-inflammatory IgE/FcɛRI signals. Consistent with the improved clinical parameters in vivo, antigen-specific IgE/FcɛRI cross-linking on papain or lipopolysaccharide-stimulated DCs inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Migration assays confirm that the IgE-dependent decrease in cytokine production results in diminished recruitment of mast cell progenitors; providing a mechanistic explanation for the reduced mast cell-dependent allergic phenotype observed in FcɛRI-humanized mice. Our study demonstrates a novel immune regulatory function of IgE and proposes that DC-intrinsic IgE signals serve as a feedback mechanism to restrain allergic tissue inflammation.

Lepton flavor violation in B decays?

The LHCb Collaboration's measurement of R_{K}=B(B^{+}→K^{+}μ^{+}μ^{-})/B(B^{+}→K^{+}e^{+}e^{-}) lies 2.6σ below the Standard Model prediction. Several groups suggest this deficit to result from new lepton nonuniversal interactions of muons. But nonuniversal leptonic interactions imply lepton flavor violation in B decays at rates much larger than are expected in the Standard Model. A simple model shows that these rates could lie just below current limits. An interesting consequence of our model, that B(B_{s}→μ^{+}μ^{-})_{exp}/B(B_{s}→μ^{+}μ^{-})_{SM}≅R_{K}≅0.75, is compatible with recent measurements of these rates. We stress the importance of searches for lepton flavor violations, especially for B→Kμe, Kμτ, and B_{s}→μe, μτ.