bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Raising the pH of the pepsin‐catalysed hydrolysis of bovine whey proteins increases the antigenicity of the hydrolysates
Authors: SCHMIDT D. G. , MEIJER R. J. G. M. , SLANGEN C. J. , VAN BERESTEIJN E. C. H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Hypersensitivity to cow milk protein is frequently observed in infancy. Since the pH in the infant's stomach is relatively high (pH 3–4) compared with adults (pH 2). an incomplete digestion of the milk proteins is expected to occur.Objective
The determination of the degree of hydrolysis by pepsin of the four main proteins of bovine whey. i.e. α‐lactalbumin (αLa). β‐lactoglobulin (βLg). bovine serum albumin (BSA) and bovine immunoglobulin G (B‐IgG). in the pH range 2.0‐ 4.0 and of the antigenic properties of the resulting hydrolysates.Methods
Whey proteins were successively hydrolysed with pepsin at pH values ranging from 2.0 to 4.0 and with pancreatic enzymes at pH 7.5 using a pH‐stat. The resulting hydrolysates were characterized by their degree of hydrolysis, and analysed by sodium dodecyl sulfale polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, gel permeation chromatography and immunologically by competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorhent assay.Result
In general, the degree of hydrolysis, the gel electrophoretic patterns, the contents of peptides of molecular mass > 5kDa and the residual hurnan‐immunoglohulin E and G antigenicities of the hydrolysates did not differ much whether the pepsin incubation was done at pH 2.0 or 3.0. Pepsin incubation at pH 4.0. however, resulted in a decreased hydrolysis and enhanced residual antigenicity of αLa, BSA and B‐IgG. but not of βLg.Conclusion
The poor and slow degradation of the antigenic epitopes of whey proteins when pepsin digestion occurs under conditions that prevail in the stomach of infants could be of much importance for the development of cow milk hypersensitivity. The immature gastrointestinal mucosal barrier of infants allows large antigenic fragments of these proteins to pass into the systemic circulation.
Genetic control of indirect airway responsiveness in the rat
Authors: PAUWELS R. A. , GERMONPRÉ P. R. , KIPS J. C. , JOOS G. F. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryMany of the airway responses to endogenous and exogenous stimuli are caused by indirect mechanisms such as the activation of neurons and/or inflammatory cells. In the present study we compare the bronchoamstrictor and the plasma protein extravasation response to adenosine and tachykinins in two highly inbred rat strains. F344 and BDE. BDE‐rats have a bronchoconstrictor response to adenosine at lower doses. Challenge with the A3‐adenosine receptor agonist APNEA demonstrates that the difference in airway responsiveness to adenosine between BDE‐ and F344‐rats is probably related to a higher number of A3‐receptors on the airway mast cells of BDE‐rats. In contrast. F344‐rats have a higher airway responsiveness to lachykinins than BDE‐rats. Taehykinins cause bronchoconstriction in F344‐rats mainly by an indirect mechanism, involving stimulation of NK1‐receptors and mast cell activation. In BDE‐rats they cause bronchoconstriction by a direct effeet on airway smooth muscle via activation of NK2‐receptors. Finally we also observed a difference between F344‐and BDE‐rats with regard to the mechanisms involved in the plasma protein extravasation in the airways caused by substance P or capsuicin. In K344‐rats but not in BDE‐rats mast cell activation and the release of 5‐hydroxytryptamine is partly responsible for this plasma protein extravasation.
The incidence and nature of adverse reactions to injection immunotherapy in bee and wasp venom allergy
Authors: YOULTEN L. J. F. , ATKINSON B. A. , LEE T. H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe incidence, time course and nature of systemic reactions to injections of bee and wasp venom during immunotherapy have been estimated in an open, prospective, single centre study. One hundred and nine survivors of moderate to severe systemic reactions to stings from hymenoptera, received courses of bee or wasp venom by monthly subcutaneous injection for up to 3 years. Systemic reactions were recorded after 7.5% of 946 weekly venom injections during the initial phase of treatment, and after 2.1% of 1789 monthly maintenance injections. In both phases of treatment, reactions were more frequent after bee (17% of initial phase, 7.8% of maintenance treatment) than after wasp (3% of initial phase, 0.3% of maintenance treatment) venom injections. The percentage of patients experiencing at least one reaction was also higher for bee (46%) than for wasp (14%) sensitive patients. Over 80% of reactions began within 30 min of injection, over 90% within 1 h and only two (2%), between 1 and 2 h, the remaining six (5.5%) starting more than 2 h after injection. Only 0.47% of venom injections produced a systemic reaction which was severe enough to require adrenaline treatment. The female patients experienced more reactions (21% of the wasp, 60% of the bee, sensitive) than the males (5.5% wasp, 20% bee). Age and atopy did not appear to be significant risk factors for systemic reactions. We conclude that wasp and bee venom immunotherapy in a conventional dosage regimen was generally well tolerated. No safety advantage was apparent in keeping the patients under observation for more than 1 h after injections. Reactions are more likely to occur during the initial phase of treatment, in women and after bee, rather than wasp, venom injections.
Nasal cytokines in common cold and allergic rhinitis
Authors: LINDEN M. , GREIFF L. , ANDERSSON M. , SVENSSON C. , ÅKERLUND A. , BENDE M. , ANDERSSON E. , PERSSON C. G. A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryCoronavirus‐induced common cold and allergen‐induced rhinitis are characterized by nasal mucosal exudation of bulk blood plasma. The mucosal exudation process involves ‘flooding’ of the lamina propria with plasma‐derived binding proteins and it is possible that subepithelial inflammatory cytokines and mediators may be moved by the exudate to the mucosal surface. In this study, we have analysed cytokine levels in nasal lavage (NAL) fluids from non‐allergic subjects inoculated with coronavirus (n= 20) and from subjects with allergic (birch pollen) rhinitis subjected to additional allergen challenge (samples were obtained 35min post challenge) in the laboratory (n= 10). Ten of the 20 inoculated subjects developed common cold and 10 remained healthy. Interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), IL‐4, and IL‐6 were analysed in unprocessed NAL fluids using immunoassays. The subjects who developed common cold had increased NAL fluid levels of IFNγ (P < 0.05) that correlated well with the symptoms (P < 0.001). IFNγ did not increase in subjects with allergic rhinitis. IL‐1β levels were similar in NAL fluids obtained from all inoculated subjects. In the subjects with allergic rhinitis NAL fluid levels of both IL‐1β and GM‐CSF were increased (P < 0.05). GM‐CSF was not detected in common cold. IL‐4 and IL‐6 were not detectable in any of the NAL fluids. The present cytokines may not only emanate from superficial mucosal cells. By aiding plasma exudation subepithelial cytokines may potentially also be retrieved on the mucosal surface. Our study provides original in vivo data supporting the notion that a TH‐1 profile of cytokines, notably IFNγ, is present in viral infection and further supporting the view that GM‐CSF is an important cytokine in allergic airways disease.
Regulation of IgE production from human mononuclear cells by β2‐adrenoceptor agonists
Authors: COQUERET O. , DUGAS B. , MENCIA‐HUERTA J. M. , BRAQUET P. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe present study examined the effect of β2‐adrenoceptor agonists on the interleukin‐4 (IL‐4)‐driven IgE production and on the possible mechanisms of action of these compounds. We present evidence that salbutamol and fenoterol potentiated the IL‐4‐induced IgE production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). No significant effect of incubation in the presence of β2‐adrenoceptor agonists on IgG, IgA and IgM production was observed. Salbutamol and fenoterol inhibited interferon‐(IFN)‐γ production by PHA‐activated human PBMC suggesting that the blockade of the production of this cytokine could possibly explain the enhancement of IgE production. Salbutamol and fenoterol potentiated the IL‐4‐induced production of sCD23 whereas no effect on CD23 expression was observed. The potentiating effect of salbutamol on IgE production was blocked by two antagonists of β2‐adrenoceptor, namely butoxamine and D,L‐propranolol, suggesting a β‐adrenoceptor‐mediated event. These results demonstrate that β2‐adrenoceptor stimulation results in an increase in IgE production by human B lymphocytes.
Lack of association between HLA‐DQ and ‐DR genotypes and asthma in southern Chinese patients
Authors: LI P. K. T. , LAI C. K. W. , POON A. S. Y. , HO A. S. S. , CHAN C. H. S. , LAI K. N. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAsthma is an inflammatory disease with a strong genetic predisposition. We have studied a group of unrelated asthmatic patients of southern Chinese origin on their HLA‐DR and ‐DQ regions using molecular techniques and compared them with 104 healthy controls of the same ethnic origin. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to genotype the MHC class II DR β, DQ α and DQ β loci of the subjects. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using sequence specific primer (SSP) for DQ β genes was also performed. No significant difference was found in the HLA‐DQ and ‐DR loci between the patients and the controls. All patients had their serum IgE antibody levels measured, bronchial reactivity assessed by histamine broncho‐provocation and cutaneous reactivity to common allergens determined by skin‐prick tests to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, mixed grass pollens, Aspergillus fumigatus, cat fur and dog dander and they were classified respectively. The HLA‐DR and ‐DQ genotypes of these subgroups of patients were compared. There was no significant difference among these subgroups of patients according to their serum IgE levels, the degree of bronchial reactivity and whether they were positive for the skin tests for the various allergens respectively. The results suggest that HLA‐DQ and ‐DR genotypes are not associated with asthma in southern Chinese people.
Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases from purified human CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes
Authors: TENOR H. , STANICIU L. , SCHUDT C. , HATZELMANN A. , WENDEL A. , DJUKANOVIC R. , CHURCH M. K. , SHUTE J. K. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
CD4+ and CD8+ T‐lymphocytes are suggested to differentially affect airway inflammation in asthma. Agents which increase intracellular cAMP levels, such as PDE inhibitors, have been shown to diminish lymphocyte growth and differentiation, and to affect cytokine expression. Differences in the PDE isoenzyme profile between CD4+ and CD8+ cells might form a basis to differentially modify their functions by PDE inhibitors.Objective
The study investigates and compares the PDE isoenzyme activity profiles of human peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T‐lymphocytes.Methods
CD4+ and CD8+ T‐lymphocytes were purified (>98%) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells by negative selection. PDE isoenzyme activity profiles were investigated using PDE isoenzyme selective inhibitors and activators.Results
In CD4+ and CD8+ T‐lymphocyte homogenates, PDE IV and PDE III activities were the predominant PDE isoenzyme activities at 0.5μM cyclic nucleotide substrate concentrations. PDE IV was localized in the soluble fraction whereas PDE III was membrane bound. Low PDE I, II and V activities were detected. About 20% of total eAMP hydrolysing capacity at 0.5 μM cAMP was insensitive to PDE isoenzyme selective inhibitors and activators and therefore could not be assigned to PDE I‐IV. The PDE isoenzyme pattern was not different between CD4+ and CDS+ T‐lymphocytes. Moreover, representative inhibitors of PDE HI and IV activity inhibited cAMP hydrolysis in soluble fractions of both T‐lymphocyte subsets with similar potency. Enzyme kinetic analysis similarly did not reveal differences between CD4h and CD8+ T‐lymphocytes.Conclusion
Normal CD4+ and CD8+ T‐lymphocytes are likely to be equally sensitive targets for the effects of PDE inhibitors.
Prohevein from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is a major latex allergen
Authors: ALENIUS H. , KALKKINEN N. , LUKKA M. , REUNALA T. , TURJANMAA K. , MÄKINEN‐KILJUNEN S. , YIP E. , PALOSUO T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
There is general agreement that proteins eluting from different natural rubber latex products can cause immediate type hypersensitivity reactions in latexallergic patients. However, there is as yet no consensus as to what are the most important allergens in natural rubber latex.Objective
We wanted to purify and characterize at the primary structure level three natural latex proteins, suggested to represent significant allergens.Methods
Proteins were purified from ultracentrifuged bottom fraction of natural rubber latex using high performance liquid chromatography gel filtration and reversed phase chromatography. Purified proteins were subjected to tryptic cleavage, peptide separation and amino acid sequencing. Immunoblotting was used to demonstrate IgE antibodies to the purified proteins in sera from latex‐allergic patients.Results
A 20 kDa protein was identified by amino acid sequencing as prohevein, a major protein in the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis, and a 30 kDa natural rubber latex protein as hevamine. another essential rubber tree protein. A third, previously undescribed natural rubber latex protein, showed high homology to several plant endo‐1,3‐β‐glucosidases. In immunoblolting, the purified prohevein bound IgE antibodies from 24/29 (83%) sera of latex‐allergic patients including positive results in 4/6 latex‐allergic children with spina bifida or other congenital anomalies. The purified prohevein elicited positive skin‐prick test reactions in all six latex‐allergic patients showing IgE to prohevein. The purified 36 kDa protein bound IgE from 6/29 (21%) latex‐allergic sera, and the purified hevamine from only 1/29 patient sera.Conclusion
The observed high frequency of IgE antibodies to prohevein suggests that this protein is a major natural rubber latex allergen
Upregulation of IgE synthesis by staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome toxin‐1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with atopic dermatitis
Authors: HOFER M. F. , LESTER M. R. , SCHLIEVERT P. M. , LEUNG D. Y. M. 
Published: April 2006

Summary Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin disease associated with increased IgE synthesis and colonization with Staphyiococcus aureus secreting exotoxins, such as Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin‐1 (TSST‐1). Objectives In this study, we were interested in determining the in vitro effects of TSST‐1 on IgE synthesis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with AD. Methods We stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from AD patients with a wide range of TSST‐1 concentrations and measured IgE synthesis by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after 14 days. Results We show herein that TSST‐1 produced antagonistic effects on IgE synthesis by PBMC from AD patients, depending on the concentration used: IgE synthesis was inhibited at 1000 pg/mL (P<0.05) and enhanced at 0.01 pg/mL (P<0.01) of toxin. TSST‐1 was found to induce the production of much higher amounts of interferon‐gamma (IFNγ) at 1000 pg/mL than at 0.01pg/mL of toxin (P= 0.0001). More importantly, immunoglobulin E (IgE) synthesis was enhanced by TSST‐1 at 1 pg/mL in the presence of antibodies blocking IFN‐γ activity. The other immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes were also increased after TSST‐1 stimulation suggesting that the enhanced IgE synthesis was secondary to a polyclonal B cell activation rather than an isotype switch. TSST‐1‐stimulated IgE synthesis was T cell‐dependent because purified tonsil B cells were only able to synthesize increased amounts of IgE when small numbers of T cells were added to the cultures. Anti‐HLA‐DR and anti‐LFA‐1 monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) inhibited TSST‐1‐enhanced IgE synthesis, suggesting that the bridging of the T cell receptor (TCR) and major histocompalibilily complex (MHC) class II on B cells was necessary for activation of B cell differentiation. Conclusion These data indicate that staphylococcal superantigens are able, at concentrations inducing low amounts of IFNγ, to stimulate IgE synthesis by PBMC from AD patients, and suggest that staphylococcal toxins may contribute to elevated IgE synthesis in AD.
Serological and skin‐test diagnosis of birch pollen allergy with recombinant Bet v I, the major birch pollen allergen
Authors: MENZ G. , DOLECEK C. , SCHÖNHEIT‐KENN U. , FERREIRA F. , MOSER M. , SCHNEIDER T. , SUTER M. , BOLTZ‐NITULESCU G. , EBNER C. , KRAFT D. , VALENTA R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Type I allergy represents a severe health problem in industrialized countries where up to 20% of the population suffer froin allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and allergic asthma bronchiale and in severe cases from anaphylaxis. leading to death.Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate recombinant Bet v I, the major birch pollen allergen for in vivo and in vitro diagnosis of birch pollen allergy.Methods
A group of 51 birch pollen allergic patients and eight non‐allergic control individuals were tested for birch pollen allergy by skin‐prick and intradennal testing, comparing commercial birch pollen extracts with recombinant Bet v I. Quantitative and qualitative serological testing was done with natural and recombinant allergens by radioallergosorbent test (RAST), enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting.Results
Recombinant Bet v I allowed accurate in vivo and in vitro diagnosis of tree pollen allergy in 49/51 patients tested. No false positive results were obtained in any in vitro assay system (ELISA. Westernblot) or by skin testing (skin‐prick, intradermal test) with recombinant Bet v I.Conclusion
Our results document that recombinant Bet v I produced in bacterial expression systems allows accurate in vitro and in vivo diagnosis of birch pollen allergy in > 95% of birch pollen allergic patients.
A comparison of the development of antibody responses to the polysaccharide antigen (Candida albicans mannan) in atopic and healthy infants and children
Authors: NERMES M. , FÅLTH‐MAGNUSSON K. , SAVOLAINEN J. , VIANDER M. , BJÖRKSTEN B. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Defeetive antibody response againsl bacterial polysaccharide antigens is known to be associated with recurrent pyogenic infectiotis. The role of childhood allergy as a risk factor for repeated infections with capsulated micro‐organisms has been controversial.Objective
To compare the devetopment of polysaccharide specific antibody responses in atopic and healthy infants and children.Methods
The antibody responses against a common polysaccharide antigen, Candida albicans mannan, were studied longitudinally in 18 atopic and 19 non‐atopic children over the first 5 years of life. Determinations of IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies were carried out by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and IgE antibodies by nitrocellulose‐based radioallergosorbent test.Results
The polysaccharide specific antibody responses were similar in both groups, except that anti‐mannan IgM levels were higher at 5 years in the atopic children (P<0.05. student's t‐test).Conclusion
Atopic children are not more susceptible to bacterial infections on the basis of poorer ability to produce antibodies against polysaccharide antigens.
Immune reactivity of cow‐asthmatic dairy farmers to the major allergen of cow (BDA20) and to other cow‐derived proteins. The use of purified BDA20 increases the performance of diagnostic tests in respiratory cow allergy
Authors: VIRTANEN T. , ZEILER T. , RAUTIAINEN J. , TAIVAINEN A. , PENTIKÅINEN J. , RYTKÖNEN M. , PARKKINEN S. , PELKONEN J. , MÄNTYJÄRVI R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Cow dust is one of the most important inducers of occupational allergic diseases in Finland. For example, in 1991 it accounted for almost 40% of the new occupational asthma cases.Objective
This study compares the performance of the purified major cow allergen (BDA20) and crude bovine epithelial extract (BEA) in diagnostic tests and examines the role of milk allergy‐associated bovine proteins (bovine serum albumin, α‐lactalbumin, β‐lactoglobulin, casein) in respiratory cow allergy.Methods
The humoral responses of cow‐asthmatic and healthy farmers to the various components of BEA were analysed with sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and immunoblotting. The levels of specific Ige and IgG antibodies were quantifieated with enzyme‐linked inimunosorbent assays (FLISAs). The cellular responses were analysed with antigen‐specific lymphoeyte proliferation tests.Results
The specific anti‐BDA20 IgE measurement was found to be best in distinguishing between the asthmatic farmers and their healthy colleagues. It proved possible to determine a cut‐off value that gave the analysis a specificity and sensitivity of 100%; the distinction between the two groups was highly significant (P 0.0001). In the lymphocyte proliferation analysis, cow asthma was more closely associated with reactivity to BDA20 than to BEA. In the measurement of anti‐BDA20 and anti‐BEA IgG antibody levels, considerable overlap between the groups was observed, suggesting that these antibodies are not directly involved in cow allergy. When proteins associated with milk allergy were used as test reagents, no statistically significant differences could be observed between the groups, except for anti‐casein IgE antibodies the level of which, however, overlapped considerably between the farmer groups.Conclusion
These findings suggest that purified BDA20 is better than BEA for diagnosing cow asthma and that proteins associated with milk allergy are of only marginal significance in this disease.