bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relationship between anti‐IgE auto‐antibodies and the IgE response to wasp venom during immunotherapy
Authors: KEMENY D. M. , TOMIOKA H. , TSUTSUMI A. , KOIKE T. , LESSOF M. H. , LEE T. H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryDuring immunotherapy with wasp venom, levels of venom‐specific IgE antibodies increase and then fall, whereas the concentration of IgG antibodies rises and then remains at a high level. Successful treatment is therefore associated with both increased concentrations of serum IgG and decreased serum IgE antibodies to venom. In this study we have investigated the possible role of auto‐antibodies in inducing the decrease in serum IgE antibody. Levels of auto‐anti‐IgE were measured by a radioimmunoassay. Anti‐IgE auto‐antibodies were not generated during immunotherapy and there was no significant difference in the levels of anti‐IgE auto‐antibodies between patients whose venom‐specific IgE antibody levels fell more than fivefold after immunotherapy and those patients in whom IgE antibody levels did not change significantly. We conclude that anti‐IgE auto‐antibodies do not play a part in IgE suppression induced by immunotherapy.
Allergy to mice. II. Further characterization of two major mouse allergens (AG 1 and AG 3) and immunohistochemical investigations of their sources
Authors: PRICE JILL A. , LONGBOTTOM JOAN L. 
Published: April 2006

SummarySodium dodecyl sulphale polyacrylamide gel elcctrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and quantitative immunoelectrophoretic techniques have been used to characterize further the two major mouse allergens, antigen I (Ag 1) and antigen 3 (Ag 3). Gel filtration using Sephacryl S‐200 showed Ag 1 to have a molecular weight of 18 kD and Ag 3 of 21 kD. SDS‐PAGE followed by Western blotting onto nitrocellulose then incubation with individual antisera directed against each of the two major allergens, and an alkaline phosphalase enzyme system, was used to distinguish between the two allergens and indicated a molecular weight of 17 kD for Ag 1 and 16 kD for Ag 3. Ag 3 but not Ag 1 was shown to contain polysaccharide residues. Immunohistochemical staining of mouse skin sections demonstrated that antigens detected in whole dust extracts were present in the hair follicles, on the hair shafts and on the stratum corneum. Staining of similar sections using the rabbit anti‐Ag 3 showed the presence of this major allergen in the hair follicles coaling the hairs and extending along the skin surface. Serum from a pool of mouse‐allergic subjects also demonstrated staining in the same areas when detected using a fluoroscein‐labelled anti‐human IgE as second antibody. As both major allergens were present in extracts of fur this would appear to be most appropriate for use in diagnosis (i.e. skin test and RAST) and also possibly desensitization. However, dust from isolators (available in greater amounts) would be equally suitable.
Mucosal mast cell activation patterns in the rat following repeated feeding of antigen
Authors: TURNER M. W. , BARNETT GABRIELLE E. , STROBEL S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryGroups of rats previously sensitized systemically on day 0 with a low dose of ovalbumin (OVA) were gavaged daily with ovalbumin or bovine serum albumin or a mixture of both proteins from day 14 to 18. Blood samples were obtained pre‐ and post‐challenge and serum levels of the rat mast cell protease II (RMCPII) determined by immunoassay. Release of this specific mucosal mast cell mediator was only observed in animals challenged with ovalbumin and the initial challenge released levels of RMCPII 15‐fold higher than normal resting levels (P < 0·001). Subsequent daily challenges evoked the release of significantly lower levels of mediator (P < 0·00l relative to day 14), but with one exception each test group released significantly more RMCPII than the matched control group on each day (P < 0·001 =P= 0·015). An increased uptake of BSA ‘bystander’ protein was observed when OVA‐sensitized animals were repeatedly gavage‐challenged with OVA but there was no correlation with the release of RMCPII mediator. After a 9‐day rest period the levels of RMCPII released 6 hr post‐challenge on day 26 were still significantly lower (P= 0·004) than the levels of mediator released on day 14. In contrast, animals not previously challenged were still capable of releasing high levels of mediator at the time of first mucosal contact. The levels of RMCPII detected in the serum after enteral protein antigen challenge never exceeded 6000 ng/ml and were lower than those previously observed in parasitized rats following intravenous antigen challenge.
IgE, IgA and IgG antibodies and delayed skin response towards Candida albicans antigens in atopies with and without saprophytic growth
Authors: SAVOLAINEN J. , KOIVIKKO A. , KALIMO KIRSTI , NIEMINEN E. , VIANDER M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryImmunoblotting and RAST were used to analyse IgE, IgA and IgG responses to antigens of Candida albicans. These were compared with the delayed skin response and C. albicans carriage in 40 atopic subjects. The majority of the atopic patients showed a strong IgG and IgA antibody response towards mannan, a carbohydrate, but only occasionally to proteins. Altogether 22 of the 40 patients showed specific IgE towards C. albicans by immunoblotting. The IgE response was mainly towards proteins, particularly to ones with molecular weights of 29 kD and 46 kD, and only in eight out of 22 IgE‐positive subjects towards mannan. The IgG and IgA responses to mannan and the total IgE response towards C. albicans assessed by RAST showed an association with C. albicans carriage, whereas the delayed skin response showed an inverse relationship. The immunological parameters characteristic of C. albicans carriage were found to be C. albicans‐specific depressed delayed skin response and elevated IgE, IgA and IgG responses. This situation in the atopies presenting such parameters may favour simultaneous sensitization and exposure by colonization. The degree of sensitization may be sufficiently high to produce symptomatic allergy, such as asthma, in some individuals during occasional overgrowth of C. albicans, e.g. due to antibiotic therapy.
Detection of B‐lymphocytes secreting antibodies toDermatophagoidesantigens
Authors: SPARHOLT SUSANNE HAUSCHILDT , BARINGTON T. , SCHOU C. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAn enzyme‐linked immunospot assay (ELI‐spot assay) has been established to count individual cells secreting antibodies toDermatophagoidesspp. allergens. Initial optimization of the assay was performed usingDer pI‐specific murine hybridoma cell lines. Inhibition with soluble purified allergen demonstrated that spot formation was specific. Addition of cycloheximide showed that spot formation was due to antibodies actively produced and secreted and not caused by preformed surface‐associated Ig. An analogous method was used to count immunoglobulin‐secreting cells (IgSC) of any specificity, and the number of circulating IgSC was measured in young healthy subjects. The results (means) were 331 IgM‐SC, 532 IgG‐SC. 850 IgA‐SC and less than 1 IgE‐SC per 106mononuclear cells (MNC). Initial experiments performed with blood from patients undergoing immunotherapy withDermatophagoides pteronyssinuxAlutard, showed that 1 week after injection, circulating allergen‐specific antibody‐secreting cells (AbSC) were detected with this assay. The ranges were between 1 and 13 IgM‐, 2 and 20 IgG‐ and 20 and 55 IgA allergen‐specific AbSC per 106MNC. It is expected that this assay will help to understand more thoroughly the basic immunological mechanisms behind the efficacy of immunotherapy.
The inhibitory effect of immunoglobulin E on monoamine uptake in human platelets
Authors: DE LARA J. M. TUNON , VUILLEMIN L. , RONDOYANNI F. , RIO P. , DUCASSOU D. , TAYTARD A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe uptake of the monoamine radiolabelled tracer 125I‐meta‐iodo‐benzyl‐guanidine (MIBG) was studied in vitro in platelets from 15 healthy volunteers and five allergic patients whose serum IgE concentration was 37 ± 33 and 650 ± 200 IU/ml, respectively. The MIBG uptake was determined by means of a gamma counter after incubation in a buffer. Binding of IgE to platelets significantly reduced MIBG uptake both in healthy subjects and in allergic patients. This reduction was significantly related to the action of IgE as it did not occur after binding of IgG. Moreover, MIBG uptake plotted versus increasing concentration of IgE (ranging from 10 to 3000 IU/ml) was fitted by a classical sigmoidal curve which was not significantly different between healthy subjects and allergic patients. Lastly, the effect of IgE on MIBG uptake was due to the binding of the sole IgE as it was not modified by subsequent addition of anti‐IgE. It is concluded that the binding of the sole IgE to its specific receptor on platelets alters the transport of monoamines.
Changes in nasal metachromatic cells during allergen immunotherapy
Authors: OTSUKA H. , MEZAWA A. , OHNISHI M. , OKUBO K. , SEKI H. , OKUDA M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe have investigated changes of nasal metachromatic cell number, nasal symptoms and nasal provocation at the third and sixth month during allergen immunotherapy. Twenty‐five subjects with perennial allergic rhinitis (house dust (23), Alternaria (2)) were divided into two groups: an immunotherapy‐treated group (n= 14) and a control group (n=11). At the first visit nasal symptom scores, nasal provocation reactions and the number of metachromatic cells in nasal mucosal epithelial scrapings were not significantly different between groups. At the third and sixth month after immunotherapy nasal symptom scores, nasal provocation and the metachromatic cells in epithelial scrapings were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) compared with the pretreatment values in the immunotherapy group, but unchanged in the control group. These results suggest that the reduction in metachromatic cell number at the nasal mucosal surface may be one of the mechanisms which could explain the improvement of nasal allergic symptoms by immunotherapy.
Clinical evaluation of a new in‐vitro assay for specific IgE, the immuno CAP system
Authors: LEIMGRUBER ANNETTE , MOSIMANN B. , CLAEYS M. , SEPPEY M. , JACCARD Y. , AUBERT V. , PEITREQUIN R. , NISOLI MARIE‐PIERRE , PÉCOUD A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe Pharmacia CAP system is a new assay for specific IgE characterized by a new solid phase (hydrophilic polymer encased in a capsule). The CAP results were compared to those of the Phadebas IgE RAST and skin‐prick tests (SPT) performed in 145 subjects suffering from rhinitis and/or asthma with eight common inhalant allergens (total number of tests = 1160), Concording CAP/RAST results were found in 91% of the tests The CAP was positive in 78% and the RAST in 65% of the positive SPT. Conversely, the CAP was negative in 90.6% and the RAST in 96.4% of the negative SPT. A pattern ‘negative SPT, negative RAST and positive CAP’ was found in 56 tests (41) subjects): in four such subjects, the CAP posilivity was confirmed by a positive IgE crossed radio‐immunoclcctrophoresis. Three borderline positive results were found among 240 negative controls (serum from cord blood or non‐atopies). These data indicate that compared with SPT the CAP system is (a) more sensitive than the Pharmacia RAST and (b) does not seem less specific.
Skin prick testing using allergen‐coated lancets: a comparison between a multiple lancet device and a single lancet applied with varying pressures
Authors: PHAGOO S. B. , WILSON N. M. , SILVERMAN M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAllergen‐coated lancets have been developed to simplify skin prick testing. The effect of variation in application pressure on the response to prick tests was assessed in 20 alopic subjects, and the results compared to the response obtained with a newly devised multiple lancet device (M LD), capable of holding up to eight lancets and of providing a standardized application pressure. A positive weal ( 7 mm2) using light pressure occurred in 2/20 subjects, compared with 14/20 after moderate pressure. The largest weals were obtained using hard pressure and with the MLD (all 20 subjects obtained positive weals) and there was no significant difference in weal si/e between the two. There was evidence of a late reaction in 4/17 subjects with the MLD and with hard pressure applied to a single lancet, but in only one with moderate and in none with light pressure. Thus both the early and late skin responses are dependent on the pressure applied. The newly designed MLD allows skin prick tests to be performed using a standard pressure. It is also convenient for multiple allergen testing of uncooperative children.
Purification and characterization of the major dog allergen, Can f I
Authors: SCHOU C. , SVENDSEN U. G. , LøWENSTEIN H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAn important dog‐hair and dander‐specific allergen Ag13 has been purified by means of immunoaffinity chromatography utilizing rabbit antibody specific for Ag13. Purity was judged to be very high as detected by crossed immunoelectrophoresis and SDS‐PAGE. The purified allergen was subjected to amino acid analyses. Molecular weight was about 22 kD in HPLC‐gel filtration and 25 kD in SDS PAGE with an additional band at 18 kD. In vitro IgE binding of the allergen was investigated by luminescence immunoassay (LIA) inhibition. Removal of Ag13 from dog hair and dander extract (DHD) removed 50 ± 1.5% of the IgE binding capacity. The purified allergen inhibited up to 56.5% of the IgE activity to DHD as measured with a pool of serum from dog‐allergic patients. Out of 26 dog‐allergic patients, 24 had a positive skin‐prick test to the allergen. Out of 23 dog‐allergic patients, 16 reacted with the allergen in IgE immunoblotting. We suggest that Ag13 be termed Can f I. The allergen will be a marker allergen for environmental dog hair and dander exposure.
Isolation and partial characterization of Bermuda grass pollen allergen, BG‐60a
Authors: SU S. N. , LAU G. X. , TSAI J. J. , YANG S. Y. , SHEN H. D. , HAN S. H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIn an earlier study we showed that Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) pollen contains at least 12 IgE‐binding proteins that can be analysed by immunoblot technique. One of the active components (BG‐60) proved to be a basic protein of glycoprotein nature. It contained about 28% carbohydrate as determined from the dry weight and consisted of four molecules. One of the components was purified from the pollen extract by a combination of ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion‐exchange chromatography on carboxymethyl‐TSK, gel filtration on Ultrogel AcA 44 and chromatofocusing. Its molecular weight was approximately 60 kD by SDS PAGE and 34 kD by gel filtration chromalography. The isoelectric point of the antigen was about 9.7. The homogeneity of the antigen BG‐60a was assessed by one single are of immunoprecipitation both in immanodiffusion and crossed immunoelectrophoresis and by one single band after SDS‐PAGE. Its allergenicity was demonstrated by direct intradermal skin test on allergic patients and by examining IgE‐binding reactivity with allergic patients' serum.
Levocabastine: an effective topical treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis
Authors: JANSSENS M. M.‐L. , VANDEN BUSSCHE G. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe new H1‐receptor antagonist levocabastine is the most potent antihislumine available, as shown in classical animal tests for antihistamine activity. Its effects also are very specific, with doses as high as 40000 times the effective antihistumine dose not displaying other pharmacological effects. In nasal and ocular provocation tests, levocabastine nasal spray and eye drops protected against allergen‐induced nasal and ocular symptoms. Twenty‐three clinical trials have been performed with levocabasline nasal spray in 1363 patients with allergic rhinitis. At a dose of two sprays per nostril twice daily (if necessary to be increased up to four times daily), levocabastine was significantly better than placebo and as good as or slightly better than cromoglycate in alleviating nasat symptoms. Good to excellent results were reported in about 60% of patients on levocabastine. compared with 37% with placebo and 47% with cromogly‐cate. Levocabastine eye drops were studied in 21 clinical trials including 1218 patients with allergic conjunctivitis. One drop per eye twice daily (up to four times daily) provided significantly better symptom control than placebo and similar effects as those observed with cromoglycate. Response rates were 71‐80% with levocabastine, 55% with placebo and 76% with cromoglycatce. Levocabastine has a fast onset of action, with 94% of patients experiencing symptom relief within 15 min after the first instillation of levocabastine eye drops. Three long‐term studies (10‐16 weeks' duration) showed absence of tachyphylaxis during prolonged treatment with levocabastine. The incidence of adverse experiences was similar for levocabastine, cromoglycate and placebo, for nasal spray as well as eye drops. Nasal and ocular irritation were the most frequently reported complaints. No consistent changes in haematological or biochemical variables were observed. Levocabastine promises to be a valuable topical alternative for the treatmenl of patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
Double‐blind comparison of levocabastine eye drops with sodium cromoglycate and placebo in the treatment of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis
Authors: AZEVEDO M. , CASTEL‐BRANCO M. G. , OLIVEIRA J. FERRAZ , RAMOS E. , DELGADO L. , ALMEIDA J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe efficacy and tolerance of topical administration (one drop in each eye q.i.d.) of levocabastine (0‐5 mg/ml) was compared with that of sodium cromoglycate (20 mg/ml) and placebo in a 4‐week double‐blind trial in patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. The investigator rated the treatment as globally good or excellent in significantly more patients treated with levocabastine (89%) than with cromoglycate (67%. P=0·03) or placebo (48%, P= 0·007). The patients felt that the treatment was more efficacious in 95% (levocabastine), 35% (cromoglycate) and 36% (placebo) of the cases in which they had taken previous antiallergic medication. Total symptom severity according to the patients' diary data was consistently lower with levocabastine than with cromoglycate or placebo for all ocular symptoms. The difference was mainly apparent at the beginning of treatment. The percentage of symptom‐free days was higher in the levocabastine group (53%) than in the cromoglycate (31%, P= 0·02) and the placebo group (34%, P= 0·08). Particularly at high‐pollen days, levocabastine was superior to cromoglycate in eliminating moderate or severe symptoms. Adverse effects did not occur more frequently with levocabastine or cromoglycate than with placebo. It is concluded that levocabastine is an efficacious, fast‐acting and well‐tolerated drug in the management of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.
Detection of circulating histamine releasing autoantibodies with functional properties of anti‐IgE in chronic urticaria
Authors: GRATTAN C. E. H. , FRANCIS D. M. , HIDE M. , GREAVES M. W. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryCirculating histamine releasing factor(s) have been demonstrated previously in chronic urticaria by an immediate weal‐and‐flare response to intradermal autologous serum injection. We have studied 25 chronic urticaria patients by in vivo skin testing with autologous sera and an in vitro histamine release assay using mixed leukocytes of healthy donors, to define the nature and functional properties of the serum factor(s). Twenty showed a weal response to autologous serum (mean ± s.e.m., 37.3±6.8 mm3). Weal formation was confined to ultrafiltered serum fractions > 100 kD in nine of nine patients. There was no response in 10 healthy controls or five patients with symptomatic dermographism. Fourteen chronic urticaria sera elicited histamine release > 10% (mean ± s.e.m., 44‐3%± 6 7) above basal levels from leukocytes of at least one of seven healthy donors. This in vitro response was also confined to ultrafiltered serum fractions > 100 kD in seven of seven sera and was present in IgG fractions of six of seven chronic urticaria sera that showed histamine releasing activity. Functional studies indicated that this histamine releasing autoantibody had the properties of anti‐IgE: chronic urticaria sera ‘desensitized’ basophil leukocytes to subsequent challenge with other chronic urticaria sera and to goat anti‐human IgE antibody; human myeloma IgE inhibited histamine release from leukocytes in response to chronic urticaria sera; removal of surface‐bound IgE by lactic acid “stripping” reduced histamine release in response to chronic urticaria sera and anti‐IgE and subsequent passive sensitization with IgE myeloma serum partially restored it, Stainable peripheral blood basophils/mm3 in chronic urticaria patients were significantly reduced (mean ± s.e.m., 7.9 ± 2 0) when compared to healthy controls (39.6 ± 44), P < 0.001. These results suggest that histamine releasing autoantibodies are important in the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria by stimulating or facilitating degranulation of basophils and cutaneous mast cells through cross‐linking cell surface IgE receptors.
Toluene diisocyanate produces an increase in airway tone that outlasts the inflammatory exudation phase
Authors: PERSSON C. G. A. , GUSTAFSSON B. , LUTS A. , SUNDLER F. , ERJEFÄLT I. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryToluene diisocyanate (TDI) is a causative agent in occupational asthma. Through an oral catheter TDI, 0·03 μl, dissolved in 0·02 ml olive oil. was superfused on the tracheobronchial mucosa of anaesthetized guinea‐pigs. TDI induced plasma exudation into both airway tissue and lumen (peak effect: 5 hr; duration ∼ 17 hr). Light microscopy examinations demonstrated that the epithelium was not disrupted by this process (and that microvessels are abundant just beneath the epithelium). At days 6 and 21 after exposure to TDI PAS‐positive cells were increased, but no other histological alterations were found. Also, the occurrence of peptide‐containing nerve fibres was not altered by TDI. After TDI‐exposure the airway smooth muscle tone was elevated as examined in vitro at base‐line and at concentration‐response to carbachol. The largest increases in tone were recorded 21 days after exposure to TDI. The abnormally large tone was not associated with an increased thickness of the smooth muscle layer nor was it associated with reduced effects of either β2‐agonist (terbutaline) or xanthine‐ (theophylline) relaxants. It is concluded that TDI‐induced plasma exudation into guinea‐pig airways occurs for 17 hr without disrupting the epithehal lining and without causing major changes in the airway peptidergic innervation. Both the airway tone, and the number of mucous cells, are increased for at least 3 weeks after exposure to TDI.