bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Airways of allergic rhinitics are ‘primed’ to repeated allergen inhalation challenge
Authors: KOH Y. Y. , LIM H. S. , MIN K. U. , MIN Y. G. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe hypothesis that repeated exposure to a specific allergen will further increase bronchial responsiveness to that allergen is supported by indirect evidence. However, it has not been tested as intensely in the laboratory setting, and in some cases, conflicting results are presented. In order to test the hypothesis in the atopic subjects, allergen inhalation challenge tests were performed in 29 house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pternyssinus) sensitive subjects with allergic rhinitis. Nine subjects displayed early asthmatic responses (EARs) to the first challenge (Group 1). Twenty subjects with no significant airway response were submitted to the second challenge 24 h later. Thirteen subjects showed EARs (Group FI) and two of these showed late asthmatic responses (LARs)aswell. In Group II, there were significant changes between the first and second challenge in post‐allergen early phase FEV1, (88.1 ± 4.2 vs 71.7 ± 4.2%, baseline, P < 0.05) and in post‐allergen late phase FEV1, (93.1 ± 3.4 vs 86.6 ± 7.8. P < 0.05). After the second challenge. PD20 (provocative dose of methacholine required to produce a 20% fall in FEV1) decreased significantly from the baseline values. When challenged separately with twofold dose of allergen, only three and one of the Group II showed EAR and LAR respectively. PD20 did not change significantly after this challenge. These results indicated that two repeated exposure to allergen dose, which is not enough to cause significant airway responses at a time, may provoke asthmatic airway responses in the subjects with allergic rhinitis and that this effect of priming is not attributed to the cumulative dose but to the consequent effect of repeated allergen exposure.
Sputum eosinophilia after asthmatic responses induced by isocyanates in sensitized subjects
Authors: MAESTRELLI P. , CALCAGNI P. G. , SAETTA M. , DI STEFANO A. , HOSSELET J.‐J. , SANTONASTASO A. , FABBRI L. M. , MAPP C. E. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryTo assess the nature and the time–course of the cellular component of airway inflammation induced by isocyanates, we examined nine subjects with occupational asthma induced by toluene– or methylene diphenyl–diisocyanate (TDI, MDI) and four control subjects never exposed to isocyanates. Sputum was induced by inhalation of ultrasonically nebulized hypertonic saline (3–4% NaCl) before and 8, 24, 48 h after inhalation challenge with TDI or MDI. Expectorated samples were incubated with dithiothreitol, washed and cytocentrifuged. Differential cell counts were obtained on slides stained with May–Grünwald–Giemsa. Metachromatic cells (mast cells and basophils) were counted on slides stained with toluidine blue at pH 0.1. One occupational asthmatic exhibited a dual reaction to TDI, two exhibited a single early asthmatic reaction to M DI, six exhibited a late asthmatic reaction to TDI (n= 5) or M DI (n= 1), whereas no reactions were observed in control subjects after TDI challenge. In sensitized subjects eosinophils increased from a median value (interquartile range) of 5 (15)% before challenge to 29 (29)% (P= 0.014) and to 30 (31)% (P= 0.031) 8 and 24 h after TDI/MDI challenges, respectively. Sputum eosinophilia was observed both in early and late reactors and declined to near to baseline values 48 hr after challenge. Percentages of eosinophils in control subjects did not exceed 7% during the study. There was a significant correlation between the increase in eosinophil counts and the magnitude of the bronchoconstriction expressed as the area of FEV1 response to isocyanate challenge (rank correlation coefficient = 0–71, P= 0.014). No significant changes in sputum neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes and mast cells were detected. The results indicate that isocyanate–induced asthmatic responses are associated with influx of eosinophils in airway secretion lasting up to 24 h.
Allergy to storage mites
Authors: TEE R. D. 
Published: April 2006

Summary. There is now much evidence of sensitization to storage mites in urban populations as well as in the well‐documented rural populations. Sensitization is therefore not restricted only to those with occupational exposure.There appears to be a limited allergenic crossreactivity between storage mites and house dust mites, although both species also possess their own unique allergens.More research on identification and characterization of storage mite allergens and their crossreactivity is needed to understand their complexity. Such studies are necessary to obtain high quality extracts for diagnosis and possible immunotherapy.Development of immunoassays employing MoAbs will allow measurement of storage mite concentrations in workplaces and houses and the study of exposure‐response relationships.
cDNA sequence analysis of the main olive allergen, Ole e I
Authors: LOMBARDERO M. , BARBAS J. A. , DEL PRADO J. MOSCOSO , CARREIRA J. 
Published: April 2006

Summary Olea europaea (Ole e) I‐specific cDNA sequences were amplified by 3′‐RACE‐PCR, using specific primers based on the N‐Terminal sequence of the allergen, and cloned into appropriate vectors. The nucleotide sequence data obtained revealed the presence of isogenic variation in Ole e I gene(s). The molecular mass, pI, amino acid composition and sequence of the predicted polypeptides agree with data previously obtained by analysis of purified Ole e I from pollen. Furthermore, by treatment of purified Ole e I with specific glycopeptide hydrotases it has been demonstrated the presence of N‐glycosylation in the allergen, and there is a unique concensus site for N‐Linked glycosylation at positions 111‐113 of the deduced amino acid sequence. The Ole e 1 predicted sequence shows a significant homology with three putative proteins encoded respectively by the anther‐specific LAT52 gene from tomato and the pollen specific genes Zmcl3 from maize and OSPSG from rice, suggesting that these proteins could have a role in one of the development processes unique to male gametophytes.
Familial atopy in Australian pedigrees: adventitious linkage to chromosome 8 is not confirmed nor is there evidence of linkage to the high affinity IgE receptor
Authors: BRERETON H. M. , RUFFIN R. E. , THOMPSON P. J. , TURNER D. R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAtopy frequently displays autosomal dominant inheritance and recent studies have favoured genetic linkage between atopy and the human chromosome 11q13. We have studied 12 extended families with aggregation of atopy consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance. The families have been studied for linkage of asthma and atopy to loci on chromosome 8p following the observation that one family suggested preliminary evidence of linkage to an anonymous hypervariable locus cloned from a DNA fingerprint and mapped to 8pter‐p22. Subsequent analysis shows this putative linkage to be adventitious as the remaining 11 families do not support linkage between atopy and 8p, We have analysed the same families for evidence of linkage of atopy to loci on 11q13. In these families there is no evidence of association between atopy and the 11q loci stronger than that expected by chance alone; furthermore there is no suggestion subpopulation of these families display linkage between atopy and the loci. In addition neither the 8p loci nor the 11q loci exhibit evidence of linkage to atopy by affected sib‐pair analysis. This also conflicts with previously published data for 11q.
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus II‐induced interleukin‐4 and interferon‐γ expression by freshly isolated lymphocytes of atopic individuals
Authors: BYRON K. A. , O'BRIEN R. M. , VARIGOS G. A. , WOOTTON A. M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryCytokines are known to play a major role in mediating many of the immunological and pathological features of allergic disease. Much of our understanding of cytokine production in response to allergens has come from studying allergen‐specific T cell clones following long‐term in vitro culture. This has largely been due to the lack of sufficiently sensitive assays to measure allergen‐induced cytokine production by freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Here we have used the polymerase chain reaction to amplify reverse transcribed interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) and IFNγ mRNA expressed by allergen‐stimulated PBMCs from a variety atopic individuals. Using Der p II, a major allergen of the house dust mite (HDM) Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, we have demonstrated that cells from HDM‐sensitive atopic patients (n= 12), can be induced to express either IL‐4 alone (three patients), IL‐4 and IFNγ (six patients), IFNγ alone (two patients) or neither cytokine (one patient). Cells from 13 non‐atopic control individuals were also stimulated with Der p II and cytokine mRNA production was studied. None expressed IL‐4, while seven of 13 transcribed IFNγ. Our results suggest that atopic individuals have allergen‐reactive T cells at various stages of differentiation, with respect to the cytokines they produce. The use of this technique will aid in the further understanding of specific cellular hypersensitivity in allergic disease.
Dextran sedimentation induces a difference in the percentage of hypodense eosinophils in peripheral blood between children with allergic asthma and healthy controls
Authors: HOEKSTRA M. O. , BERENDS C. , DIJKHUIZEN B. , GERRITSEN J. , KAUFMAN H. F. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryConsiderable differences in the percentage of hypodense eosinophils in the peripheral blood of asthmatics have been reported by different investigators. In these previous studies dextran sedimentation was used for removal of erythrocytes prior to density centrifugation. We hypothesized that the sedimentation procedure might induce the presence of hypodense eosinophils in the peripheral blood of asthmatic patients. In order to test this hypothesis, we compared eosinophil density profiles from peripheral blood of children with asthma and of age‐matched healthy controls, using different procedures. In the first method (direct method) blood samples were directly layered on a discontinuous Percoll gradient. Erythrocytes were removed by isotonic lysis. In the second method (dextran sedimentation) erythrocytes were removed by sedimentation with dextran prior to gradient centrifugation. Results of the direct method show no significant difference in percentage of hypodense eosinophils between children with asthma and healthy controls (9.19% and 6.84% respectively). However, after dextran sedimentation, children with asthma had a significantly higher percentage of hypo‐dense eosinophils than healthy controls (15.40% and 8.84% respectively; P < 0.05). The percentage of hypodense eosinophils was correlated with the number of eosinophils and with the lung function, measured as the Tiffeneau index (FEV1/VC), in the whole group of subjects when the direct method was used. We conclude that an increased percentage of hypodense eosinophils is not present in the circulation of children with asthma, but can be induced in vitro by dextran sedimentation. Therefore, in vitro generation of hypodense eosinophils in the blood of patients with asthma seems to be related with the primed state of eosinophils.
Estimation of Der p and Der f I quantities in the reference preparations of Dermatophagoides mite extracts
Authors: YASUEDA H. , SAITO A. , AKIYAMA K. , MAEDA Y. , SHIDA T. , SAKAGUCHI M. , INOUYE S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA monoclonal antibody‐based enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (MoAb‐ELISA) was developed to measure the major Dermatophagoides mite allergens, Der p I and Der f I, The assay was highly species‐specific and sensitive. Using this assay system, the absolute mass unit of Der p I and Der fI in the reference preparations of the extracts was estimated. The primary standards used were the purified Der p I and Der f I preparations. The reference preparations of the D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae extracts (92‐Dp) and 92‐Df), which had been prepared from the same amount of mite bodies of both species, were found to contain the same levels of the Der I allergens, 10.1 μg/ml of Der p I and 10.0 μg/ml of Der f I, respectively. A histamine release assay with leucocytes from mite‐allergic donors showed that the total allergenic potency of 92‐Dp and 92‐Df was comparable. This result indicates that the estimated Der I levels in these extracts seem to be valid, at least, in the balanece between the two species, although further comparisons of the absolute quantities by several different laboratories are needed. The Der I levels in the WHO/IUIS international reference preparation of D. pteronyssinus and the CBER standard mite extracts, E4‐Dp and E5‐Df, were also estimated using this assay system. They were found to contain 4.4 μg/viaI and 13.3 μg/ml of Der p I and 9.5 μg/ml of Der f I, respectively.
Tryptase and histamine release due to a sting challenge in bee venom allergic patients treated successfully or unsuccessfully with hyposensitization *
Authors: EBERLEIN‐KÖNIG B. , ULLMANN S. , THOMAS P. , PRZYBILLA B. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground: Hyposensitization with bee venom leads to full protection in most, but not all patients with IgE‐mediated systemic reactions to bee stings.Objective: To determine the relationship of clinical reactivity to the release of mediators and to changes of antibody concentrations in the peripheral circulation at a bee sting challenge test.Methods: Blood was sampled before (0 min) and at 15, 60 and 180 min after a sting challenge from 19 patients on hyposensitization. Of these, six still reacted and 13 were protected. Histamine, mast cell tryptase, bee venom‐specific IgE and IgG in the serum, and histamine release from peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) upon exposure to bee venom were determined.Results: Tryptase above the detection level was found only at 15 (60)min in 4/6 (1/6) patients who reacted. After the sting challenge there was a significant increase of the histamine levels in patients who reacted at 15 min (P < 0.05) and in patients who did react at 60 and 180 min (P < 0.01). The total histamine content of PBL was significantly decreased after 15 and 60 min in patients who reacted (P < 0.01) and in those that did not (P < 0.05). Bee venom‐induced histamine release was significantly reduced in patients reacting and those that did not at 15 min (P / 0.05), and was significantly decreased in reactors also at 60 and 180 min (P < 0.05/0.01). Specific IgG antibodies showed a minor decrease (P < 0.05) after the sting challenge in both groups, whereas specific IgE did not change significantly.Conclusion: These results indicate that bee venom anaphylaxis is associated with the release of mediators from both mast cells as well as basophils. Successful hyposensitization does not induce a state of immunological non‐reactivity, but rather alters the magnitude and the pattern of mediator release.
Soluble ICAM‐1 as a regulator of nasal allergic reaction under natural allergen provocation
Authors: KATO M. , HATTORI T. , KITAMURA M. , BEPPU R. , YANAGITA N. , NAKASHIMA I. 
Published: April 2006

Background: Intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) plays a key role in the early stage of the signal cascade leading to cellular extravasation and the development of an inflammatory response. Recently, it has been reported that the soluble form of this adhesion molecule is present in human sera, possibly mediating biological actions.Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate levels of soluble ICAM‐1 (sICAM‐1) and its receptors in patients with allergic rhinitis, and to discuss sICAM‐1's biological function.Methods: The levels of sICAM‐1 in sera and nasal epithelial lining fluids (ELF), the percentage of CD11a‐positive lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, and scores of subjective symptoms from 14 patients with pollinosis (allergic group) were measured from pre‐ to post‐season, results were compared with those from 10 non‐allergic subjects (control group).Results: The levels of sICAM‐1 in sera and ELF were upregulated, and CD11a‐positive lymphocytes were downregulatcd during the in‐season in the allergic group. In addition, levels of sICAM‐1 in sera from the allergic group remained high during the post‐season, when levels of other parameters (symptoms, blood eosinophil counts, sICAM‐1 in ELF and CD11a‐positive lymphocytes) had roughly returned to the initial pre‐season levels.Conclusions: We demonstrate systemic and local upregulation of sICAM‐1 and systemic downregulation of LFA‐1 positive lymphocytes in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis under natural allergen provocation, suggesting that sICAM‐1 plays a role in regulating seasonal allergic inflammation.
The decay of house dust mite allergens, Der p I and Der p II, under natural conditions
Authors: BOER R. DE , VAN DER HOEVEN W. A. D. , STAPEL S. O. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground: Fluctuations in the level of mite allergens in domestic house dust are the result of changes in the balance between synthesis, removal and decay. Purely physical forces as well as enzymatic degradation, mediated by house dust inhabiting microbes, may contribute to the decay of allergens in domestic dust. Knowledge about the speed of decay is essential for an understanding of the dynamics of allergen levels.Objective: The present study is a quantitative assessment of the speed of decay at nine combinations of temperature (15°C, 20°C and 25°C) and relative humidity (33%, 55% and 75%).Methods: Samples of mite infested material of an old rug were stored at these temperature/relative humidity‐combinations for 6, 12 or 18 months, after the mites were killed by cither a freezing treatment or an acaricide (lindane). The microbes living in the rug presumably survive these treatments. Concentrations of Der p I and Der p II + Der f II. in extracts of the rug material, were measured by a radio immunoassay.Results: No significant changes in the levels of Der p I and Der p II +Der f II, could be detected even after 11/2 year at a high temperature and humidity.Conclusion: These findings incidate that mite allergens can be extremely stable under normal domestic circumstances.
Peripheral eosinophil counts as a marker of disease activity in intrinsic and extrinsic asthma
Authors: ULRIK C. S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground: Recently it has been suggested that the bronchospasm and hyperresponsiveness phenomena observed in asthma are secondary to the actions of the eosinophils; the purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the peripheral number of eosinophils and various markers of disease activity in a group of asthmatics examined in childhood (mean age 10 years) and early adulthood (mean age 21 years).Methods: The relationship between eosinophil count and pulmonary function (FEV1), respiratory symptoms, bronchial responsiveness to histamine and diurnal variation in peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) was studied in 70 subjects with bronchial asthma, of whom 24 had intrinsic and 46 extrinsic asthma. Self‐reported symptoms of asthma were graded on a scale from 0 to 5, where 0 = no symptoms within the preceding 12 months and 5 = daily including nocturnal symptoms, and histamine responsiveness was analysed by means of the dose‐response slope (DRS).Results: In both childhood and adulthood, a direct correlation was found between blood eosinophil count and symptom score (r= 0.69, P< 0.001 and r= 0.58, P < 0.001, respectively), whereas inverse correlations were observed between number of eosinophils and FEV, % predicted (r= .0.75, P < 0.001 and r= 0.80, P < 0.001. respectively). Furthermore, in adulthood, eosinophil count was found to be significantly correlated to hisiamine responsiveness (log DRS) (r= 0.65, P < 0.001) and diurnal PEF variation (r= 0.81, P < 0.001); these correlations were also noted after dividing the subjects into intrinsic and extrinic asthmatics. In both groups of subjects a significant inverse correlation was also found between histamine responsiveness and pre challenge FEV1% predicted. The eosinophil count in childhood was weakly correlated to the symptom score in adulthood (r= 0.29, P < 0.02).Conlusions: This study showed a relationship between eosinophil count and seventy of asthmatic symptoms, level of pulmonary function, histamine responsiveness and diurnal variation in PEF in both intrinsic and extrinsic asthma; suggesting that the peripheral eosinophil count reflects asthmatic activity, and possibly the degree of inflammation in the airways, in both children and adults. Furthermore, a low number of eosinophils in childhood might be related to a relatively favourable prognosis with regard to symptoms of asthma in early adulthood.
Effects of IL‐4 and IL‐13 on total and allergen specific IgE production by cultured PBMC from allergic patients determined with recombinant pollen allergens
Authors: DOLECEK C. , STEINBERGER P. , SUSANI M. , KRAFT D. , VALENTA R. , BOLTZ‐NITULESCU G. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground: Interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐13 have been shown to be potent switch factors for IgE synthesis in human B cells.Objective: In this study we investigated the effects of recombinant human IL‐4 and IL‐13 on total and allergen specific IgE synthesis by peripheral blood inononuclear colls (PBMC) from pollen allergic patients and healthy control individuals.Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from allergic patients were investigated for their capacity to produce allergen specific IgE in vitro. Total protein extracts from birch pollen and timothy grass pollen as well as purified recombinant birch pollen allergens, Bet v I, birch profiling (Bet v II) and recombinant timothy grass pollen allergens. Phi p I, Phi p II, and Phi p V were used to measure specific IgE‐antibody synthesis in cell culture supernatants by IgE‐immunoblot and ELISA. Reults PBMC obtained from allergic patients spontaneously secreted allergen specific IgE in the culture supernatants. Addition of Interleukin 4, Interleukin 13 and anti‐CD40 antibody to the cultures alone or in combinations significantly induced total IgE production whereas allergen specific IgE production was not affected.Conclusion: Our results indicate that the peripheral blood of allergic individuals contains long lived allergen specific B cells which have already switched to IgE production and which are not sensitive to IL‐4 and IL‐13 treatment. These results may have implications on attempts to use cytokines or cytokine antagonists in therapy of Type I allergy.