bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A unique human IgE‐binding epitope on the Bermuda grass pollen recognized by mouse lambda‐type monoclonal antibodies
Authors: CHANG Z. N. , CHI C. W. , SUN H. F. , TSAI L. C. , LEE D. T. , HAN S. H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA group of six mouse monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) with the unusual lambda‐type light chain were generated by fusion of NS‐1 cells with splenic cells derived from BALB/c mice immunized with crude extracts of Bermuda grass pollen (BGP). Four of them were IgG1, one was IgG2b, and one was IgG3. Binding inhibition assay showed that they recognized the same (or very similar) epitope. Using sera from BGP‐allergic patients, it was found that the specific binding between the IgE antibodies and the MoAb 26–11‐fixed antigen could be blocked by MoAb 26–11 itself and another MoAb 9–13 in a dose‐dependent manner. It appears that the epitope recognized by the lambda‐type MoAbs is a human IgE‐binding antigenic determinant. Further physicochemical analyses showed that this epitope was stable under heat but sensitive to treatments of sodium periodate and proteinase K. Results from these studies indicate that this unique epitope which leads to the generation of lambda‐type MoAbs is part of a glycoprotein.
Biological properties of human skin mast cells
Authors: CHURCH M. K. , EL‐LATI S. , OKAYAMA Y. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryMast cells and basophils, although sharing many constitutive properties, are quite distinct in their development, functions and biological properties. Mast cell granules are composed of a macromolecular matrix of proteoglycan and neutral protease of which heparin and tryptase, respectively, are predominant. The distribution of the other major neutral protease, chymase, allows human mast cell subpopulations to be subdivided immunocytochemically. All human mast cells respond to IgE‐dependent stimulation with the secretion of the preformed mediator, histamine, and the newly generated lipid‐derived eicosanoids PGD2 and LTC4. Although amounts of these products vary between mast cells dispersed from different tissues, it is uncertain whether this reflects true heterogeneity. Mast cells of the human skin, but not those of other tissues, are sensitive to stimulation by substance P, compound 48/80 and other basic non‐immunological stimuli. The mechanism of mediator secretion induced by these agents is distinct from that induced by IgE‐dependent stimulation. However, the morphological characteristics of degranulation are similar, suggesting that the distinct biochemical pathways merge into a common pathway before effecting degranulation.
Evaluation of a multiple food specific IgE antibody test compared to parental perception, allergy skin tests and RAST
Authors: ADLER B. R. , ASSADULLAHI T. , WARNER J. A. , WARNER J. O. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThis study was set up to evaluate the food panel of a multiple specific IgE antibody assay in 67 atopic asthmatic children by comparing it to the conventional radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and skin‐prick tests (SPT) and then comparing the results of these investigations with the parents perceptions of food related problems.Fifteen food specific IgE antibodies were measured using the multiple chemiluminescence assay (MAST‐CLA). IgE antibodies to five of these food allergens were also measured by conventional RAST and SPTs were performed in 43 using 11 standardized food extracts matched to the multiple allergosorbent chemiluminescent assay (MASTCLA) profile. SPT and MAST‐CLA results showed good agreement with one another, range 688‐96.7% (average 87%), with significant correlation for most allergens tested. MAST‐CLA was discrepant with RAST and/or SPTs in 58/210 (27 6%).A questionnaire was sent to the parents to determine their perception of food related symptoms. Sixty‐two (92%) questionnaire replies were received, of which 56% reported symptoms with food. The most frequent symptom perceived to be due to food intolerance was behavioural disturbance. The commonest foods implicated were additives (39%), egg (27%), milk (26%), chocolate (23%) and orange (15%). History, SPT, MAST‐CLA and RAST were compared for live allergens in 42 patients (210 values). In 14/210 (6·7%), all the tests were negative despite reported symptoms. Conversely in 49/210 (23·3%) at least one test was positive without symptoms.This study did not support a benefit of multiple antibody testing instead of individually selected RASTs or SPTs. The frequent perception of food related symptoms in these asthmatic children was often not supported by SPT, RAST and/or MAST‐CLA. This may be a reflection of the current public concern about food, or of non‐IgE mechanisms. These uncertainties can only be resolved by double blind placebo controlled food challenge. The inclusion of food specific IgE antibodies together with inhalant antibodies in a multiple test system for use in atopic asthmatics may be misleading.
Eosinophils, secretory responsiveness and glucocorticoid‐induced effects on the nasal mucosa during a weak pollen season
Authors: KLEMENTSSON H. , SVENSSON C. , ANDERSSON M. , VENGE P. , PIPKORN U. , PERSSON C. G. A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThis study examined the seasonal effects on eosinophils and secretory responsiveness of the nasal mucosa in 22 patients with allergic rhinitis due to birch pollen (11 patients received placebo and 11 budesonide. 200 μg once daily in each nostril). The pollen counts during the study season were too low to produce a significant symptomatology. Hence, our findings demonstrate threshold alterations of the airway mucosa in allergic rhinitis and their inhibition by anti‐inflammatory drug intervention. The patients were monitored for 8 weeks with daily recordings of pollen counts and symptom scores. Once every week a series of laboratory tests was carried out: the local eosinophil influx was determined using a Rhinobrush technique; the levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) were analysed in nasal lavage fluids: and the secretory response to intranasal methacholine was measured. Treatments started after a 2‐week run‐in period. The proportion of eosinophils increased markedly in the placebo group and was elevated also during the last two study weeks when the pollen counts were practically nil. The secretory responsiveness to methacholine increased during the pollen season and returned to baseline towards the end of the study period. The topical glucocorticoid treatment reduced the proportion of eosinophils. the ECP levels, and the secretory response to methacholine compared to placebo.We conclude that the increased traffic and activity of eosinophils and less conspicuously the increased secretory responsiveness are expressions of the mucosal inflammation that precede the development of symptoms in seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Efficacy of liposome entrapped allergen in down regulation of IgE response in mice
Authors: ARORA N. , GANGAL S. V. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe effect of liposome entrapped allergen on primary, secondary and ongoing IgE response was studied in mice. It was observed that mice primed with liposome entrapped allergen maintained significantly lower levels of serum specific IgE as compared to that of controls primed with allergen. Although alum adsorbed allergen could induce IgE synthesis in mice primed with liposome entrapped allergen the increase in serum specific IgE levels was lower than the animals primed and challenged with alum adsorbed allergen. On the contrary when BALB/c mice were primed with alum adsorbed allergen to induce IgE synthesis subsequent challenge by liposome entrapped allergen could down regulate the serum specific IgE response. Serum specific IgG response did not show any significant difference between the two groups. There was an increase in T suppressor cell subpopulation as measured by immunofluoresence technique in mice injected liposome entrapped allergen as compared to that in controls. The results indicate that liposome entrapped allergens may prove to be safe and effective in immunotherapy by reducing the allergenic response of the allergen at the same time increasing the antigenicity.
IgG and IgE antibody responses to cow dander and urine in farmers with cow‐induced asthma
Authors: YLÖNEN JAANA , MÄNTYJÄRVI R. , TAIVAINEN A. , VIRTANEN T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryCow‐asthmatic farmers ‘and negative control subjects’ IgG and IgE antibody responses to bovine epithelial antigen (BEA) and urinary antigen (BUA) were studied by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting. The anti‐BEA IgE responses of 10 highly reactive sera were also studied by crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis (CRIE). The relative amount of allergens common to both BEA and BUA was measured by IgE ELISA inhibition and found to be 3%. In immunoblotting the IgG reactivity of the asthmatic farmers to BEA and BUA declined along their anti‐BEA IgE ELISA titres. Control subjects had IgG antibodies mainly to high molecular weight components (50–70 kD) but lacked detectable IgE responses. The IgE reactivity of the asthmatic farmers was directed to only a few components. A total of two main allergens were found in cow dander (20 and 22 kD) and one in cow urine (20 kD). The 20 kD component was shown to be the most important allergen in cow antigen extracts. In CRIE, seven reactive arcs were detected. Arcs 1, 2 and 5 were detected by all 10 sera and are 3 by six and arc 7 by seven sera.
IgE binding inhibits arachidonic acid‐induced chemiluminescence of human platelets
Authors: RIO P. , TUNON DE LARA J. M. , MARTHAN R. , TAYTARD A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryArachidonic acid (AA)‐induced chemiluminescence (CHL) was studied in vitro by means of a luminometer in platelets from nine healthy volunteers and six allergic patients. The amplitude of the CHL signal increased with AA concentration from 250 μM to 7 mm. At a low AA concentration (250 μm), the CHL signal consisted of two peaks. The first one occurred at 6±3 sec and the second one at 90±15 sec (n= 9). The mean amplitude of these peaks was 1.95±0.61 mV/sec and 0.82±0.22 mV/sec for normal subjects, and 2.35±0.62 mV/sec and 0.78±0.26 mV/sec for allergic patients, respectively. Aspirin (a cycloxygenase inhibitor) and baicalein (a lipoxygenase inhibitor) reduced in a concentration‐dependent manner, the first and second peak, respectively. The binding of immunoglobulin E (IgE) alone to platelets from both normal and allergic subjects inhibited both the first and second peak of AA‐induced CHL. This inhibitory effect was specifically due to the action of IgE as it was (i) concentration‐dependent and (ii) not observed when immunoglobulin G (IgG) was substituted for IgE. It is concluded that in normal subjects, as well as in allergic patients, the binding of IgE alone to its specific receptor on human platelets could alter arachidonate metabolism that probably involves cycloxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways.
Occupational asthma induced by tall oil in the rubber tyre industry
Authors: TARLO S. M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA worker in the rubber tyre industry is described with occupational asthma from exposure to a solution of tall oil, a pine resin, confirmed by specific inhalation challenge. This supports studies of contact dermatitis which have suggested abietic and dehydroabietic acid oxidants to be the cause of colophony induced allergic reactions.
A double‐blind controlled trial of hyposensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in children with atopic eczema
Authors: GLOVER M. T. , ATHERTON D. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA double‐blind controlled trial of hyposensitization with tyrosine‐adsorbed Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus vaccine in 24 children with atopic eczema and immediate hypersensitivity to D. pteronyssinus failed to demonstrate superiority over placebo after a standard 8 month course of treatment.In a second phase, children initially administered active treatment were randomly allocated to continue with active treatment or switched to placebo for a further 6 months. The clinical scores suggest that prolonged hyposensitization may be more effective than placebo but the numbers were too small to permit confident conclusions. A dramatic placebo effect may have served to conceal any additional therapeutic effect from active treatment.
Crossreacting IgE antibodies to Pityrosporum ovale and Candida albicans in atopic children
Authors: SAVOLAINEN J. , BROBERG A. 
Published: April 2006

SummarySera from 13 patients with positive Pityrosporum ovale skin prick test were analysed with IgE immunoblotting. Both P. ovale and Candida albicans antigens were used to reveal possible crossreactivity of these yeasts. Of the 13 sera, eight sera showed IgE binding to P. ovale and six sera to C. albicans. Simultaneous IgE‐binding to both C. albicans and P. Ovale was observed in five of these sera. The most common IgE‐binding band pairs were, a 23 kD band of P. ovale and a 27 kD band of C. albicans, as one pair, and a 26 kD band and a 13 kD band, respectively, as another pair. In addition to these protein bands, simultaneous reactivity was observed to C. albicans mannan, a polysaccharide, and to a diffuse high molecular weight component of P. ovale, possibly also a polysaccharide. The five sera with simultaneous IgE‐binding were analysed with RAST‐inhibition, which revealed presence of crossreacting IgE‐antibodies to P. ovale and C. albicans in two of these sera. Crossreacting epitopes were suggested to be located in the mannan polysaccharide of C. albicans and high molecular weight diffuse stain of P. ovale, based on the immunoblotting and RAST‐inhibition patterns of the studied sera. Crossreacting sera were pooled and used as an IgE probe in CRIE and Tandem‐CRIE. These experiments revealed a fused precipitin line indicating presence of a common structure of P. ovale and C. albicans.This suggested crossreactivity may imply an interesting phenomenon in atopics who are sensitized by C. albicans growth in the gastrointestinal tract and get exposed by P. ovale growing on the skin. Further studies are thus needed to clarify the clinical significance of these preliminary findings.
The house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is the most important allergen on the island of Mauritius
Authors: GUERIN B. , LEVY D. A. , LEMAO J. , LEYNADIER F. , BALIGADOO G. , FAIN A. , DRY J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryTo determine the relative importance of mites as a cause of allergic sensitivity and asthma on the western Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, we measured specific IgE antibodies to common inhalant allergens in sera from Mauritians claiming to have allergic symptoms and we examined house dust samples for evidence of mites and their allergens. Seventy‐two of the 110 sera tested (65%) contained detectable IgE antibody to at least one mite, mould or pollen allergenic extract. By far the most prevalent was antibody to one or both of the common house dust mites, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, being present in 67(61%) of the 110 sera. Allergy to pollens, including the locally prevalent Bermuda grass and sugar cane, was infrequent. Antibody to a limited number of moulds was detected in 22% of the sera tested. Of 81 subjects whose clinical history was known, 60 were asthmatic, and 75% of these asthmatic individuals had IgE antibody to mites. In contrast, only 35% of the subjects with rhinitis without asthma were sensitive to mites. Different mite species, including D. pteronyssinus but not D. farinae, were identified microscopically in samples of local house dust. Mite antigen Der p I but not antigen Der f I was detected with specific monoclonal antibodies in extracts of these dust samples. On the bases of this serological and environmental survey, we conclude that our data support the hypothesis that the house dust mite D. pteronyssinus is the principal cause of allergic sensitivity and asthma in that tropical environment.
The effect of intranasal azelastine, Rhinolast®, on nasal airways obstruction and sneezing following provocation testing with histamine and allergen
Authors: THOMAS K. E. , OLLIER S. , FERGUSON H. , DAVIES R. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe effect of single dose topical nasal therapy with azelastine hydrochloride (azelastine) on the response of nasal airways resistance (NAR) to provocation testing was studied in 36 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Nasal provocation testing (NPT) with histamine or grass pollen was performed after a single dose of azelastine, 0.28 mg to each nostril, or placebo. NAR was assessed by rhinomanometry for 10 hr following NPT. Compared to placebo the NAR response to histamine was inhibited at both 1 and 2 hr following azelastine administration, significant at 1 hr (P < 0.02) and 2 hr (P < 0.0001). No such effect was observed in relation to allergen‐induced changes in NAR. Azelastine also inhibited numbers of sneezes for up to 10 hr following both histamine NPT (P < 0.02) and allergen NPT (P < 0.05), when compared to placebo. Forty‐seven per cent of participants experienced bitter or unpleasant taste sensations after azelastine administration but no other unwanted effects were clearly related to azelastine therapy.
Low dose fenoterol aerosol protects against histamine‐induced bronchoconstriction in mild asthmatics: a dose response study
Authors: MAGNUSSEN H. , RABE K. F. 
Published: April 2006

SummarySixteen subjects with mild stable asthma participated in a randomized double blind study on the effects of low dose fenoterol against histamine induced bronchoconstriction. Fenoterol aerosol at concentrations of 10, 50 and 200 μg and placebo were delivered at random through a metered dose inhaler as a single dose 30 min before histamine challenges on four separate occasions. Compared to placebo a fenoterol dose of 10 μg provided significant bronchodilatation (sRaw [s.d.] 8.3 [2.73] vs 6.3 [1.74] cm H20 * s [P<0.05]) and protection (PC100 sRaw [s.e.m.] 0.72 (1.31) vs 1.45 (1.39) mg/ml). The bronchodilatory and protective actions of fenoterol were more pronounced after the inhalation of 200 μg (P < 0.05) with no difference between 10 and 50 μg fenoterol aerosol. The magnitude of bronchodilatation and protection was not correlated (r= 0.15). The results from this acute study may suggest that fenoterol at doses up to 20 times lower than routinely recommended may be an effective treatment in mild asthmatics.
Longitudinal changes in skin‐prick test reactivity over 2 years in a population of schoolchildren with respiratory symptoms
Authors: JOHNSTON S. L. , CLOUGH J. B. , PATTEMORE P. K. , SMITH S. , HOLGATE S. T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAs part of a larger epidemiological study, 114 children with respiratory symptoms, born between 1978 and 1980, were skin‐prick tested to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP), mixed grass pollens (G) and cat dander (C), and to histamine and saline controls (Bencard, U.K.) using 1 mm prick‐lancets (Dome/Hollister‐Stier), between July and September 1987 and again in October 1989. A weal ≥ 2 mm to one or more allergens was regarded as a positive result. Each child was tested by the same investigator on each occasion, using similar techniques. Three children were excluded from analysis as they had failed to respond to histamine testing on one of the two occasions. In 1987, of the 111 children analysed, 58 (52%) children were skin‐test positive, and 53 (48%) skin‐test negative, while in 1989 62 (56%) were positive and 49 (44%) negative. Twelve children (11%) changed status from negative to positive, while eight (7%) changed from positive to negative. For the group as a whole the percentage agreement between the results obtained 2 years apart was 82%. In comparison to previous studies a greater number of subjects in this population than expected changed atopic status. We therefore further examined the data from those who had changed status and classified as borderline those subjects with no difference in weal size of greater than 2 mm for any allergen between 1987 and 1989. Only five children then changed status from negative to positive, none from positive to negative and 15 demonstrated only borderline changes. The coefficients of repeatability for the 106 children who did not change status were 3.37 mm, 2.80 mm and 2.33 mm for D. pteronyssinus, mixed grass pollens and cat dander respectively. The good short‐term repeatability of the testing method was demonstrated in a group of 29 similar children; the coefficients of repeatability were 0.38 mm for DP and G, and 0.72 mm for C. These data demonstrate that, in a population of children with respiratory symptoms, skin‐prick testing within individuals is highly repeatable over the short term, but poorly repeatable over a 2 year period. However, the percentage agreement in skin‐prick test status for the group as a whole was high (82%). While no child became unequivocally skin‐test negative having been previously positive, a small number of children changed status from negative to unequivocally positive, suggesting a genuine but small (4%) increase in the prevalence of skin‐test positivity in this population.
The antigenicity and allergenicity of microparticulated proteins: Simplesse®
Authors: SAMPSON H. A. , COOKE S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryNew technologies are allowing the food industry to develop products from standard foods which may not be recognized in its modified form by food allergic patients. One such product, Simplesse, has been formulated by microparticulation of egg white and/or cows’ milk proteins and is used as a fat substitute in many fat‐laden foods. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the process of microparticulation altered the allergenicity/antigenicity of egg white and cows’ milk proteins compared to the starting materials.Soluble protein fractions of Simplesse and its respective starting materials were compared to egg white, cows’ milk protein, an ultra‐filtered egg white/condensed milk mixture, and/or a whey concentrate by SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In addition, sera from 16 patients with documented egg and/or cows’ milk hypersensitivity and two controls who were not allergic to egg or milk were used to assess potential allergenicity/antigenicity of these products by immunoblot (Western blot) analysis. There were heterogeneous IgE and IgG binding patterns to the food fractions among these food allergic patients suggesting differing sensitivity patterns among the individuals tested. However, utilizing both SDS‐PAGE and immunoblot analyses, the major allergens in the microparticulated products were the same as those found in the starting materials, egg and cows’ milk. In addition, there was no evidence of‘novel’ protein fractions in the Simplesse test materials compared to the starting materials.
Purification and characterization of an allergen from celery immunochemically related to an allergen present in several other plant species. Identification as a profilin
Authors: VALLIER P. , DECHAMP C. , VALENTA R. , VIAL O. , DEVILLER P. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe purification of a 15 kD allergen from celery was obtained by a four step procedure. Evidence for at least two isoallergenic forms was obtained after analysis by two‐dimensional‐electrophoresis. A rabbit polyclonal antibody raised against this purified allergen allowed us to confirm our precedent results on the occurrence of allergenically and molecular mass‐related components in celery and birch and mugwort pollens. In addition such components were also present in numerous other species like Cynodon dactylon, Sorghum halopense, Poa pratensis, Ambrosia elatior and in apple and carrot. The 15 kD allergen was identified as profilin by use of a specific rabbit polyclonal antibody that recognized a recombinant birch profilin. In addition, the purified celery allergen binds IgE from sera of patients allergic to birch profilin. These results reinforce the concept of profilin as a panallergen responsible in some patients for cross‐allergic manifestations to various and unrelated species of grasses, weeds, trees, vegetables and fruits.