bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immune responses to nematode exoantigens: sensitizing antibodies and basophil histamine release
Authors: Nielsen B. Windelborg , Lind P. , Hansen B. , Reimert C. M. , Nansen P. , Schiøtz P.O. 
Published: May 2007

Windelborg Nielsen B, Lind P, Hansen B, Reimert CM, Nansen P, Schiotz PO. Immune responses to nematode exoantigens: sensitizing antibodies and basophil histamine release.High levels of IgE and eosinophilia are found in both allergy and helminth infections, but allergic symptoms are rare in naturally acquired helminth infections. The interrelation of specific IgE antibodies and in vitro basophil histamine release (HR) induced by exoantigens from the larval stages (L‐2/L3) of the nematodes Toxocara canis and Ascaris suum was examined in 148 patients visiting an outpatient clinic for parasitic diseases. The antigen sensitivity of the basophils was found to be dependent not only on the absolute amount of antigen‐specific IgE present in patient plasma, but also on the ratio between specific and total IgE. Thus, large HR was observed in some patients in response to helminth antigens despite low levels of both specific and total IgE content in plasma. Patients with eosinophilia showed greater IgE‐mediated HR than the other patients examined. In contrast, only five patients showed HR after challenge with anti‐IgG4, despite the presence of high levels of antigen‐specific IgG4 and IgGl in all patients showing specific IgE antibodies.
Population analysis of cellular responses to synthetic peptides of Der p II, a major allerg molecule of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, in allergic and nonallergic subjects
Authors: Okano M. , Nagano T. , Kino K. , Yasueda H. , Baba Y. , Saito C. , Masuda Y. , Ohta N. 
Published: May 2007

Okano M, Nagano T, Kino K, Yasueda H, Baba Y, Saito C, Masuda Y, Ohta N. Population analysis of cellular responses to synthetic peptides of Der p II, a major allergen molecule of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, in allergic and nonallergic subjects.Responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to synthetic oligopeptides of Der p II, one of the major allergen molecules of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, were compared between allergic and nonallergic subjects. Healthy subjects showed positive responses to crude extracts of D. pteronyssinus, but only allergic subjects showed elevated cellular responses to Der p II. We synthesized three oligopeptides of Der p II in which motifs of a possible T‐cell epitopc were included. Of 14 subjects with positive response to Der p II, three responded to all three peptides, while five did not respond to any peptide tested. In 11 allergic patients who showed positive response to Der p II, responsiveness to the peptide K33‐T47 was significantly higher than that to other peptides (P<0.05). All the responding patients were also positive for scratch test to Der p II, suggesting that those epitopcs induced IgE‐promoting helper T‐cell response in allergic persons. On the other hand, the in vitro cellular responses were not necessarily correlated to IgE production against Der p II in healthy subjects.
Allergens causing bird fancier's asthma
Authors: Tauer‐Reich I. , Fruhmann G. , Czuppon A. B. , Baur X. 
Published: May 2007

Tauer‐Reich I, Fruhmann G, Czuppon AB, Baur X. Allergens causing bird fancier's asthma.The study investigates to what extent bird feathers contain relevant allergens/antigens involved in bird fancier's asthma. The study group consisted of two budgerigar fanciers, two parrot fanciers and one canary fancier. All subjects complained of asthmatic symptoms, caused by contact with their birds, and they showed a significant bronchial hyperreactivity to acetylcholinc. Positive IgE antibody reactions to bird sera as well as to extracts of feathers were observed in RAST. Well‐defined major allergenic bands could be detected and identified in the IgE immunoblots with feather extracts as well as with serum proteins of budgerigar, parrot, pigeon, canary, and hen (mol. mass 20‐30 kDa and 67 kDa). The most pronounced bands appeared with the extracts of species to which an exposure had taken place. Weaker IgG‐binding patterns were also observed. Our results show that inhalable feather dust contains several allergenic components which cross‐react with serum allergens/antigens of the same as well as of other bird species. This emphasizes the significance of bird feathers for immediate‐type allergic reactions.
Farm workers’occupational allergy to Tetranychus urticae: clinical and immunologic aspects
Authors: Astarita C. , Franzese A. , Scala G. , Sproviero S. , Raucci G. 
Published: May 2007

A group of 46 farm workers (32 men), affected by a recurrent “occupational disease of undetermined origin”, underwent an immunologic investigation with a Tetranychus urticae (TU) whole‐body extract (TU‐WBE) prepared in our laboratory. The patients suffered from seasonal attacks of rhinitis, during the summer and autumn periods, when working in open fields (30 subjects) or in greenhouse flower cultivation (16 subjects). In most patients, rhinitis was associated with bronchial asthma (16 subjects), urticaria (14 subjects), or both (three subjects). Allergic alveolitis or other common allergic diseases had been excluded, and a diagnosis of “occupational disease of undetermined origin” had been made before by other medical centers. Ten healthy farm workers and 10 atopic townsmen were chosen as control groups. An in vivo and in vitro diagnostic trial by skin prick testing (SPT) and serum specific IgE dosage with TU‐WBE were done in all subjects. Thirty‐six patients (78%) were found to be positive to both SPT and the IgE enzyme allergosorbent test (EAST), with a good correlation between IgE serum levels and cutaneous wheal size. Control groups did not show any reaction. The IgE‐EAST homologous inhibition test was positive. The IgE‐EAST cross‐inhibition test excluded cross‐reactivity between TU and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. The TU‐exposure test was positive for the 36 patients with TU‐WBE‐specific IgE. Three patients who were negative for TU‐WBE‐specific IgE reacted to the TU‐exposure test; in these patients, the scratch‐chamber test (Finn chamber) with eggs and droppings from TU was positive. We suggest the possibility of a TU allergy also in those subjects in whom clinical symptoms can be attributed to other common allergens.Astarita C, Franzese A, Scala G, Sproviero S, Raucci G. Farm workers’occupational allergy to Tetranychus urticae: clinical and immunologic aspects.
Role of two‐dimensional electrophoretic analysis in the diagnosis and characterization of IgD monoclonal gammopathy
Authors: Spertini F. , Tissot J. D. , Dufour N. , Francillon C. , Frei P. C. 
Published: May 2007

Over a period of 5 years, an isolated light chain ‘K = 9, λ= 12) was detected in 21 sera by immunofixation electrophoresis. Further analysis with anti‐δ‐ and anti‐ɛ‐specific antisera identified four δ heavy chains, all associated with a λ light chain, and no ɛ heavy chains. For evaluation of the role of two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis ‘2D‐PAGE) in the diagnosis of IgD paraproteins, as a possible alternative or complement to immunofixation, IgD paraproteins were retrospectively analyzed by 2D‐PAGE. δ Heavy chains migrated to gel areas clearly distinguishable from other heavy chains α, γ, or μ, and in a wide range of isoelectric points ‘pl: 5.4‐8). In one serum, the monoclonal δ chain had a pi range comparable to that of albumin and was undetectable. However, all four δ chains were easily identified when analyzed from affinity‐purified immunoglobulin fractions. These observations showed the following:1) IgD paraproteins are not rare among apparently isolated monoclonal light chains detected by routine immunofixation, Ostrongly confirming the need for further analysis with anti‐δ antisera, before assumption of a light‐chain disease.2) 2D‐PAGE analysis of affinity‐purified immunoglobulin fractions allowed correct identification of IgD monoclonal gammopathies in all cases.3) However, although 2D‐PAGE analysis is now easy to perform, well standardized, and highly sensitive, this technique remains time‐consuming and expensive, and does not appear suitable for routine practice as a first‐line diagnostic procedure.2D‐PAGE should find its place as a complement to immunofixation and in the definitive demonstration, in selected ambiguous cases, of the clonal pattern of a suspected gammopathy at immunofixation.
Sensitization to Blomia kulagini in a general population of a subtropical region of Spain (Canary Islands)
Authors: Garcia‐Robaina J. C. , Eraso E. , Martinez J. , Martinez A. , de la Torre Morin F. , Hernandez‐Nieto L. , Pineda‐Algorta J. , Guisantes J. 
Published: May 2007

García‐Robaina JC, Eraso E, Martínez J, Martinez A, de la Torre Morin F, Hernández‐Nieto L, Pineda‐Algorta J, Guisantes J. Sensitization to Blomia kulagini in a general population of a subtropical region of Spain (Canary Islands). Allergy 1997; 52: 727–731.The Blomia genus has been described as allergenic in man. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of B. kulagini sensitization in a large population of allergic subjects without occupational exposure in a subtropical region (Canary Islands, Spain). Secondarily, a new standardized B. kulagini extract was evaluated. The study population comprised 207 patients. RAST for B. kulagini was positive in 76.2% of patients, and 47 of them were selected for the biologic standardization. When the prick test was performed with the nonstandardized extracts, results were positive in 76.6%, whereas when the test was repeated with the standardized extract, sensitivity rose to 95.7%. The conjunctival provocation test was positive in 78.3% of 46 evaluated patients. The bronchial provocation test was positive in 18 sensitized patients and negative in five controls. In conclusion, B. kulagini is an important cause of sensitization among the occupationally unexposed population of the studied area and should be included in allergy diagnostic tests. For reliable prick tests, the use of standardized extracts is mandatory.
Intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 on cultured human epithelial cell lines: influence of proinflammatory cytokines
Authors: Paolieri F. , Battifora M. , Riccio A. M. , Pesce G. , Canonica G. W. , Bagnasco M. 
Published: May 2007

Paolieri F, Battifora M, Riccio AM, Pesce G, Canonica GW, Bagnasco M. Intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 on cultured human epithelial cell lines: influence of proinflammatory cytokines.The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 ‘CD54 or ICAM‐1’ on epithelial cells during acute or chronic inflammation may favor the interaction between epithelial cells and leukocytes expressing the natural ligands of ICAM‐1, LFA‐1 ‘CD11a/CD18’, and Mac‐1 ‘CD11b/CD18’. We have evaluated in vitro the expression of ICAM‐1 by a conjunctival ‘WK’ and an intestinal ‘1407’ human continuous epithelial cell line. Cells were cultured for 24 h in the presence or absence of IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, and TGF‐Jβ1. Both epithelial cell lines showed a constitutive expression of ICAM‐1. IFN‐γ at 500 U/ml and TNF‐α at 200 ng/ml upregulated ICAM‐1 expression; IL‐1β at 100 pg/ml upregulated ICAM‐1 on WK cells only. Cells cultured in the presence of both IFN‐γ and TNF‐α exhibited a mean fluorescence intensity far greater than those cultured with IFN‐γ or TNF‐α alone. 1407 and WK cells were able to release soluble ICAM‐1. IFN‐γ and TNF‐α enhanced the release of sICAM‐1. IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, and TGF‐β1 did not affect either ICAM‐1 expression or sICAM‐1 release. In conclusion, continuously cultured human epithelial cells may express ICAM‐1 on their surface and release it in culture medium. These phenomena are upregulated by proinflammatory cytokines.
Comparison of direct immunostaining and electroimmunoassay for analysis of airborne grass‐pollen antigens
Authors: Yli‐Panula E. , Takahashi Y. , Rantio‐Lehtimäki A. 
Published: May 2007

Yli‐Panula E, Takahashi Y, Rantio‐Lehtimäki A. Comparison of direct immunostaining and electroimmunoassay for analysis of airborne grass‐pollen antigens.Sensitive pollen‐allergic patients have been reported to show allergic symptoms not only during the pollen release of allergenic plants but also both before and after the pollen season. Symptoms before the season are evidently provoked by small‐sized particles originating partly from developing pollen grains, partly from other plant parts. After the pollen season, antigenic material settles on various surfaces, which thus form a new source of allergenic material. Measuring the allergen concentrations in indoor and outdoor environments demands an effective sampling method and a rapid and sensitive immunochemical analysis, especially for particles of small‐sized fractions which are not detected in microscopic analyses. The efficiency of an ELISA and an immunochemical staining method was tested with monoclonal IgG against Phl p 5, the main grass allergen. The Burkard trap and MPC impactor ‘Marple personal cascade impactor with six‐stage particle size fractionation’ were compared. The sampling was carried out in southwestern Finland in the summer of 1994. The number of grass‐pollen antigen spots greatly exceeded the simultaneous pollen count, indicating considerable antigen activity outside the pollen grains. The counts were especially high in small‐sized fractions after the pollen season, when hardly any airborne pollen was found. Spots and pollen divided according to size were highly intercorrelated, indicating that the threshold values used were appropriate.
Quantitative measurement of extracellular histamine concentrations in intact human skin in vivo by the microdialysis technique: methodological aspects
Authors: Petersen L. J. 
Published: May 2007

Petersen LJ. Quantitative measurement of extracellular histamine concentrations in intact human skin in vivo by the microdialysis technique: methodological aspects.Calculation of recovery is needed in microdialysis studies to calculate absolute concentrations of compounds in the extracellular water space. The purposes of this study were to determine the extracellular concentration of histamine in intact human skin in vivo and to study the validity of absolute histamine measurements during allergic skin reactions. A skin microdialysis technique and two calibration techniques, the no net flux method and the flow rate method, were used to quantify histamine concentrations in resting skin. To validate these techniques, skin glucose concentrations were analysed as well. In addition, the influence of vasodilation and plasma extravasation on recovery was followed after intradermal injection of codeine, a mast‐cell secretagogue. As expected, both calibration methods estimated skin glucose concentrations to be identical with venous blood glucose concentrations. However, skin histamine levels could not be calculated by the no net method, because the data did not meet the theoretic assumptions of this method. In contrast, histamine data fitted theoretically with the flow rate method, and skin histamine concentrations of 18.8±2.8 nM were found to be significantly greater than plasma histamine concentrations of 4.3±0.7 nM. Within minutes after intradermal injection of codeine, recovery increased significantly in a dose‐dependent fashion. Vasodilation per se did not influence recovery. In conclusion, absolute assessment of skin histamine concentrations can be made by microdialysis by the flow rate method. The validity of such an estimate and the theoretic prerequisites for the calculations are discussed. Quantitative measurement of skin histamine levels during allergic reactions cannot be performed since recovery is altered by plasma extravasation after skin challenge.
Urinary eosinophil protein X in relation to disease activity in childhood asthma
Authors: Lugosi E. , Halmerbauer G. , Frischer T. , Koller D. Y. 
Published: May 2007

Lugosi E, Halmerbauer G, Frischer T, Koller DY. Urinary eosinophil protein X in relation to disease activity in childhood asthma.The clinical use of urinary eosinophil protein X ‘U‐EPX’ measurements in monitoring inflammation in childhood asthma was investigated. U‐EPX and pulmonary function were assessed in 80 children with bronchial asthma and 24 healthy, age‐matched controls. In addition, 14 patients with asthma were re‐examined after 1–2 months. U‐EPX levels were increased in children with asthma compared with controls ‘median 68.4 vs 35.3 μg/mmol creatinine; P < 0·0001’. In addition, U‐EPX levels were higher in symptomatic than in asymptomatic patients ‘median 123.5 vs 48·9 μg/mmol creatinine; P < 0·0001’ independent of treatment modalities ‘i.e., inhaled steroids or disodium cromoglycate’ or atopy ‘median 65.1 vs 86·0 μg/mmol creatinine’. Furthermore, U‐EPX levels were significantly correlated with pulmonary function. During the follow‐up period, changes in U‐EPX values were significantly related to changes in pulmonary function. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that eosinophil activation can be measured in urine in childhood asthma. Concentrations of U‐EPX are related to disease activity and pulmonary function, as shown in both cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses, but are independent of atopy and treatment modalities. Measurement of U‐EPX may be useful in assessing the inflammatory process and therefore in the management of childhood asthma.
Effect of bronchial allergen challenge on in vitro cytokine release by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of atopic patients
Authors: Abbal C. , Persi L. , Bousquet J. , Yssel H. , Pène J. 
Published: May 2007

Background During the pollen season, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from allergic patients produce increased levels of Th2 cytokines after stimulation with allergen in vitro. We have studied the effect of a single bronchial provocation test (BPT) of allergic patients to determine whether allergen challenge in vivo modulates cytokine production by PBMC, after subsequent stimulation with the same allergen in vitro. Methods Twelve atopic asthmatic patients were challenged with the relevant allergen, and their PBMC, isolated before (TO) or 6 (T6) or 24 h (T24) after BPT, respectively, were cultured for 120 h in the presence or absence of the same allergen, after which cytokine production was measured by ELISA. Results Allergen‐specific activation of the PBMC at TO resulted in interleukin (IL)‐5 and IL‐13 production, but not in detectable levels of interferon‐gamma and IL‐4. BPT did not induce the secretion of the latter cytokines. However, IL‐5 and lL‐13 production was significantly decreased at T24, as compared to TO. No statistically significant differences were found between the production of IL‐10 before and after BPT. Conclusions In contrast to the effects of natural challenge with allergen, a decrease in the production of some Th2 cytokines by peripheral blood T cells was observed 24 h after BPT, suggesting a concomitant decrease in the frequency of allergen‐specific T cells in the circulation.
Release of granule proteins from human eosinophils stimulated with mast‐cell mediators
Authors: Takafuji S. , Tadokoro K. , Ito K. , Nakagawa T. 
Published: May 2007

Background It has been suggested that mast cells and eosinophils are major effector cells in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. However, the interaction of these cells has not been thoroughly elucidated. We examined eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) release and cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]) in human eosinophils induced by the major mast‐cell mediators including cytokines. Methods Eosinophils from healthy donors were stimulated with the major mast‐cell mediators for 20 min after preincubation with cytochalasin B for 10 min. ECP in supernatants was measured by radioimmunoassay. Moreover, t o examine changes of [Ca2+]i in eosinophils, Fura‐2‐loaded eosinophils were monitored for fluorescence changes after stimulus addition. Results Of the tested mediators (prostaglandin [PG]D2, leukotriene (LT)B4, platelet‐activating factor (PAF), histamine, LTQ, and eosinophil chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis [ECF‐A]), LTB4 and PAF induced ECP release from eosinophils. Any cytokines produced by human mast cells, i.e., interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐5, IL‐8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), or granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), did not induce ECP release in our system. ECP release triggered with LTB4 and PAF occurred at concentrations of 10−8‐10−6 M concentration‐dependently. LTB4 and PAF also elicited a rise in [Ca2+]i in eosinophils. Neither PGDj, histamine, nor LTC4 induced ECP release, although they increased cytosolic calcium in eosinophils. Conclusions Of mast‐cell mediators, LTB4 and PAF induced eosinophil degranulation. The contribution of LTB4 and PAF from mast cells to eosinophil degranulation may be important in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammatory diseases.
Lack of association between atopy and RsaI polymorphism within intron 2 of the PcεRI‐β gene in a Spanish population sample
Authors: Castro J. , Telleria J. J. , Blanco‐Quirós A. , Linares P. , Andion R. 
Published: May 2007

Background The B genotype of RasI polymorphism located within intron 2 of the Fc‐lgE receptor I (Fc.Rl) gene was previously found to be increased in atopic patients from a Japanese population sample. Methods We studied these A/B genotypes in 70 Spanish atopic patients, and the results were compared to those of 51 nonatopic controls. RasI polymorphisms were studied by specific digestion of polymerase chain reaction fragments followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results The polymorphism frequency (A/A: 25/70, A/B: 28/70, B/B: 17/70) found in patients did not differ from the frequency in nonatopic control subjects. Conclusions We did not find RasI polymorphisms associated with atopic disease. The genetic findings in atopy and asthma may be very different according to ethnic and local characteristics, and they must be carefully verified in difFerent population samples.
Diagnostic tests in children with atopic dermatitis and food allergy
Authors: de Waard‐van der Spek F. B. , Elst E. F. , Mulder P. G. H. , Munte K. , Devillers A. C. A. , Oranje A. P. 
Published: May 2007

Background Skin testing is a common diagnostic procedure in food allergy. The skin prick test is the test of first choice for investigating the immediate IgE‐mediated reaction, TTie skin application food test (SAFT) has been developed on the basis of the mechanism of the contact urticaria syndrome (CUS), Methods We studied the relevance of the SAFT in children younger than 4 years with atopic dermatitis and (suspected) food allergy as compared with the prick‐prick test, the radioallergosorbent test (RAST), and the oral challenge. In the skin tests, we used fresh food, in the same state as it was consumed. Results There was a good agreement between the SAFT and the prick‐prick test. A moderate agreement was observed between the SAFT and the serologic test (RAST). Significantly more positive results in the RAST were observed than in the SAFT, There was very good agreement between the SAFT and the oral challenge (K = 0,86). Conclusions The SAFT is a reliable and child‐friendly skin test for evaluating (suspected) food allergy in children younger than 4 years with atopic dermatitis. The very good correlation with the oral challenge indicates that one may probably consider the SAFT a “skin provocation” in children younger than 4 years.