bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IgE and IgG antibody responses to recombinant Alt a 1 as a marker of sensitization to Alternaria in asthma and atopic dermatitis
Authors: Vailes L. D. , Perzanowski M. S. , Wheatley L. M. , Platts‐Mills T. A. E. , Chapman M. D. 
Published: March 2003

Background Sensitization to Alternaria alternata is a risk factor for the development of wheezing and asthma. Alt a 1 is the major Alternaria allergen causing sensitization in asthmatics. Some atopic dermatitis (AD) patients have very high immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibody (ab) to Alternaria as analysed by Pharmacia CAP, however, it is not clear whether these are specific responses or whether Alt a 1 is involved in disease symptoms.Objective The aim of this study was to analyse specific IgE and IgG ab responses to recombinant Alt a 1 in asthmatic and AD patients and to compare these results to IgE ab against Alternaria measured by CAP.Methods Sera from individuals who were IgE positive to Alternaria by CAP were obtained from 58 patients with asthma/rhinitis, 19 patients with AD, and 20 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who were included as specificity controls. IgE and IgG ab to recombinant Alt a 1 were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA).Results Of 43 asthma/rhinitis patients having an Alternaria CAP score > 2, a high percentage (93%) had both IgE and IgG ab to Alt a 1, emphasizing its importance as a major allergen. Only, 47% of AD patients with CAP score greater than 2 had ab to Alt a 1, and their levels were low when compared to the asthmatics. For CF controls, 75% of these patients had no IgE ab to Alt a 1, and those which were positive to Alt a 1 by RIA were also positive by CAP. Overall, patients with a low CAP (1–2) had a low prevalence (20–30%) of IgE or IgG ab to Alt a 1.Conclusion IgE and IgG ab to Alt a 1 in asthmatics are good markers for sensitization to Alternaria. Although AD patients gave high Alternaria CAP scores, they had low or undetectable levels of IgE to Alt a 1, suggesting that other Alternaria allergens may be important in AD or that the CAP results are non‐specific. Recombinant allergens may provide more specific measures of sensitization to fungi.
Wasp venom immunotherapy induces a shift from IL‐4‐producing towards interferon‐gamma‐producing CD4+and CD8+T lymphocytes
Authors: Schuerwegh A. J. , De Clerck L. S. , Bridts C. H. , Stevens W. J. 
Published: March 2003

BackgroundVenom immunotherapy (VIT) has proven to be very effective in hymenoptera venom anaphylaxis. However, the underlying immunoregulatory mechanisms of venom immunotherapy remain poorly understood. Recent studies measured the total amount of cytokine in culture supernatans, suggesting a shift in cytokine production from Th2 to a Th1 cytokine profile during VIT. We wanted to examine the contribution of specific T lymphocyte subpopulations, which is impossible using an extracellular method to determine cytokines in supernatants.ObjectiveThe present study was designed to evaluate the effect of VIT on the percentages of type 1 (IL‐2, interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ)) and type 2 (IL‐4) CD4+and CD8+T lymphocytes of patients with wasp venom anaphylaxis during immunotherapy.MethodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells of 20 individuals with a history of wasp sting anaphylaxis and a positive serum wasp venom specific IgE were isolated andin vitrostimulated with phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate and ionomycin before VIT, at the end of a 5‐day semirush VIT and at 6 months during VIT. Three‐colour flow cytometric analysis was used for intracellular cytokine (IL‐2, IFN‐γ, IL‐4) detection in CD4+(CD3+CD8−) T lymphocytes and CD8+(CD3+CD8+) T lymphocytes.ResultsAt the end of a 5‐day semirush VIT, there was a significant decrease in percentage of IL‐4‐producing CD4+and CD8+T cells, compared with cytokine‐producing cells before VIT (P = 0.0002 and 0.004). After 6 months of VIT, patients showed an increased number of IL‐2‐producing stimulated CD4+and CD8+lymphocytes compared with values before VIT (P = 0.002 andP = 0.0003). A higher amount of IFN‐γ‐producing stimulated CD4+and CD8+cells was found after 6 months of VIT (P = 0.001 andP = 0.0006). There was no correlation between cytokine‐producing cells and specific IgE for wasp.ConclusionVenom immunotherapy induced a shift from IL‐4‐producing towards IFN‐γ‐producing CD4+as well as CD8+T lymphocytes.
Eosinophilic rhinitis accompanies the development of lower airway inflammation and hyper‐reactivity in sensitized mice exposed to aerosolized allergen
Authors: Hellings P. W. , Hessel E. M. , Van Den Oord J. J. , Kasran A. , Van Hecke P. , Ceuppens J. L. 
Published: March 2003

Background Allergic rhinitis is a risk factor for the development of asthma. About 80% of asthmatic patients also have rhinitis. However, the pattern of induction of allergic rhinitis and asthma remains unclear.Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the development of upper airway inflammation in mice during the development of an asthma‐like disease and after an acute allergen provocation.Methods BALB‐c mice were sensitized intraperitoneally (i.p) to ovalbumin (OA, days 1–13) and were challenged with aerosols of either OA or saline on 8 consecutive days (days 33–40). In a second experiment, chronic exposure for 8 days was followed by 10 days of rest and then an acute nebulized allergen provocation was performed (day 50). Inflammatory parameters were investigated at different time‐points.Results Upper and lower eosinophilic airway inflammation were simultaneously induced in the course of repeated inhalations of nebulized OA, as shown by analyses of nasal and broncho‐alveolar lavage fluids and histological sections of the nose and bronchi. Mice that developed bronchial hyper‐responsiveness also had increased thickness of the nasal mucosa on magnetic resonance image (MRI) scans. When chronic exposure was followed by acute allergen provocation, the latter caused a systemic increase in IL‐5 levels, with a concomitant rise in blood and airway eosinophils, primarily in the nose.Conclusions Simultaneous induction of eosinophilic inflammation in the nose and lungs was found in a mouse model of respiratory allergy. These findings support the viewpoint that upper and lower airway disease represent a continuum of inflammation involving one common airway and provide evidence for the concept of global airway inflammation after inhalation of allergen.
Opiate‐sensitivity: clinical characteristics and the role of skin prick testing
Authors: Nasser S. M. S. , Ewan P. W. 
Published: March 2003

Background The value of skin prick testing in opiate‐sensitive individuals is uncertain as opiates cause non‐specific weals by direct degranulation of mast cells.Objective To define whether skin prick test (SPT) responses to opiates in opiate‐sensitive individuals are different to those seen in the normal population and to describe the clinical characteristics of this group of subjects.Methods The SPT responses of eight opiate‐sensitive subjects to morphine 10 mg/mL, pethidine (meperidine) 50 mg/mL and papaveretum 15.4 mg/mL at four different concentrations (undiluted, 1/10, 1/50 and 1/100) were compared with the responses of 100 (32 atopic) non‐opiate‐sensitive control subjects. Four of the opiate‐sensitive subjects had a clinical history of asthma, rhinitis or urticaria on occupational exposure to morphine. One subject developed urticaria with codeine, one developed urticaria and asthma with morphine and diamorphine and two subjects reacted to intravenous papaveretum with anaphylaxis or urticaria. Five out of the eight cases had opiate sensitivity confirmed by single‐blind placebo‐controlled oral challenge.Results Skin prick tests to all three opiates were not significantly different when the eight opiate‐sensitive subjects were compared with either the entire normal control group or the subgroup of 47 definite opiate‐tolerant controls that had previously received opiates for clinical indications. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in size of opiate SPT responses between atopic and non‐atopic control subjects. In the control subjects, there was a positive correlation in SPT weal size between the three opiates.Conclusion Skin prick testing is not useful in the diagnosis of opiate sensitivity and placebo‐controlled challenge should be considered.
Identification of β‐lactoglobulin‐derived peptides and class II HLA molecules recognized by T cells from patients with milk allergy
Authors: Inoue R. , Matsushita S. , Kaneko H. , Shinoda S. , Sakaguchi H. , Nishimura Y. , Kondo N. 
Published: March 2003

Background Cow's milk allergy impairs the health and development of many infants since it deprives them of adequate nutrition. Cow's milk fractions contain many allergens, and β‐lactoglobulin (BLG) is one of the major allergens.Objective The purpose of this study was to determine T cell epitopes, antigen‐presenting molecules and cytokine production by T cells in relation to BLG. The results can provide new therapeutic possibilities of using analogue peptides of BLG for infants with cow's milk allergy.Methods Using a mixture of a panel of overlapping synthetic peptides that cover the entire BLG molecule, we established polyclonal BLG‐specific short‐term T cell lines and clones from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of four patients with allergy to cow's milk carrying most of the common human leucocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes seen in the Japanese population. We then identified the T cell epitopes and antigen‐presenting molecules, and measured the production of cytokines interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐5 and interferon‐γ in the culture supernatants.Results The T cell lines established from the four patients responded to seven different peptides. Three of the peptides stimulated the T cells of two donors, regardless of the HLA types. The patterns of inhibition of the proliferative responses of the cell lines by anti‐HLA class II antibodies were heterogeneous; three were mainly inhibited by anti‐HLA‐DR mAbs, and the other was inhibited by anti‐HLA‐DQ mAbs. High levels of IL‐5 were produced by these T cell lines.Conclusions Patients' T cells recognized BLG in association with a variety of HLA‐DR or ‐DQ as antigen‐presenting molecules. Although some peptides did have a more potent T cell stimulatory activity than others, the T cell receptor ligands formed with the BLG molecule are heterogeneous. Peptides for the desensitization of T cells of the patients with cow’s milk allergy need to be designed keeping in mind the different requirements in different ethnic groups.
Elevated serum concentrations of β‐tryptase, but not α‐tryptase, in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). An investigation of anaphylactic mechanisms
Authors: Buckley M. G. , Variend S. , Walls A. F. 
Published: March 2003

BackgroundSudden Infant Death Syndrome, (SIDS) or cot death, remains the most common category of post‐perinatal death in the UK. By definition, the cause of death is unknown, but a long‐standing theory is that some of these deaths could be the result of anaphylaxis.ObjectiveTo investigate the potential contribution of anaphylactic mechanisms to deaths in infancy by determining relative levels of α‐ and β‐tryptases and both total and allergen‐specific IgE in sera from groups of infants whose deaths were attributed to SIDS or to other causes.MethodsSerum samples were collected at the time of post‐mortem examination from infants whose death was classed as SIDS (n = 40) and from a comparison group in which cause of death had been established (n = 32). Serum tryptase concentrations were measured with a radioimmunoassay with monoclonal antibody G5 which detects primarily β‐tryptase or an ELISA with antibody AA5 which has equal sensitivity for α‐ and β‐tryptases. Levels of total IgE and IgE specific for casein, β‐lactoglobulin, house dust mite and moulds were determined.ResultsAnalysis of the results of the two assays for tryptase indicated that levels of the β‐like tryptase (the form secreted on anaphylactic degranulation) were significantly higher in serum from infants with SIDS compared with those whose death was explained. There was no evidence for an increase in serum levels of α‐tryptase (the variant secreted constitutively from mast cells). Total levels of serum IgE did not differ between the two groups and, reflecting the low circulating IgE concentrations in infancy, an elevation in IgE specific for the panel of allergens was not detected.ConclusionsIn a proportion of SIDS victims there may be increased serum levels of β‐like tryptase, a marker for anaphylaxis. The failure to detect an increase in α‐tryptase would suggest that mast cell hyperplasia is not a feature of cot death. The nature of the inciting agents remains unclear, but anaphylaxis deserves serious consideration as a possible cause of sudden death in infancy.
Sputum induction: effect of nebulizer output and inhalation time on cell counts and fluid‐phase measures
Authors: Belda J. , Hussack P. , Dolovich M. , Efthimiadis A. , Hargreave F. E. 
Published: March 2003

Background A knowledge of the factors that can affect induced sputum results is essential in order to standardize the procedure.Objective We investigated the influence of nebulizer output on sputum cell counts and fluid phase measurements at increasing times of sputum induction.Methods Eighteen adults with stable asthma inhaled an aerosol of 3% hypertonic saline to induce sputum after 7, 14 and 21 min on 2 days separated by 48 h. On one day, in random order, the ultrasonic nebulizer used had a relatively low output of 0.87 mL/min (particle size 5.58 µm mass median aerodynamic diameter, MMAD) and, on the other, a higher output of 1.90 mL/min (particle size 4.14 µm MMAD). The sputum was selected from each expectorate and examined blind to the induction procedures.Results With both nebulizers, the 14‐ and 21‐min samples were lower in weight, neutrophils, eosinophils, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and interleukin (IL)‐8 and higher in macrophages. The higher output nebulizer induced sputum with higher cell viability and lower ECP and IL‐8.Conclusion The results identify that the volume of hypertonic saline inhaled in sputum induction influences the fluid‐phase measurements. The duration of induction does alter the cell counts and suggests that the later expectorated sputum samples originate from more peripheral airways. The results draw attention to the need to standardize the volume and time of nebulization to accurately interpret and compare results.
Dietary fats and asthma in teenagers: analyses of the first Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT)
Authors: Huang Song‐Lih , Pan Wen‐Harn 
Published: March 2003

Background The occurrence of asthma may be associated with dietary factors.Objective To examine the association between nutrient intake and physician‐diagnosed asthma and allergic rhinitis.Methods A stratified, multiple‐staged sampling design was used to select study areas, in which household interviews were carried out to gather information on health status and 24‐h food recall. Data from 1166 adolescents, 13–17 years of age, were analysed.Results In univariate analysis, total calorie and energy‐adjusted fat intake were associated with the prevalence of asthma, whereas vitamin A and vitamin C intake showed negative association with asthma. Multivariate logistic regression was used to adjust for sex and levels of urbanization; intake of saturated fats was associated with increased risk (OR = 2.02 for an increase of one SD, 95%CI 1.40–2.90), while monounsaturated fats were inversely related to asthma (OR = 0.65 for an increase of one SD, 95%CI 0.43–0.99). Vitamin C intake in the lowest quartile was associated with elevated risk for asthma with marginal significance (OR = 1.81, 95%CI 0.88–3.71, P = 0.10). None of the nutritional factors was associated with allergic rhinitis.Conclusion Results from this cross‐sectional survey suggest that saturated and monounsaturated fats may have different effects on airway inflammation.
A randomized, double‐blind trial of the effect of glucocorticoid, antileukotriene and bβ‐agonist treatment on IL‐10 serum levels in children with asthma
Authors: Stelmach I. , Jerzynska J. , Kuna P. 
Published: March 2003

Background Levels of an immunoregulatory and anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 are reduced in asthmatic airways, potentially contributing to more intense inflammation. Triamcinolone has anti‐inflammatory properties and the anti‐inflammatory effects of montelukast and formoterol have been discussed.Objective The purpose of this study was to define the effect of treatment with triamcinolone, montelukast and formoterol on the serum level of IL‐10, eosinophil blood counts, eosinophil cationic response (ECP) and clinical parameters (symptom score, FEV1 and PC20H) in children with moderate asthma.Methods An 8‐week, placebo‐controlled and randomized, double‐blind trial was carried out. The subjects were 91 children with moderate atopic asthma who were allergic to dust mite. Patients were randomly allocated to receive 400 µg triamcinolone (n = 19), 5 or 10 mg (according to age) montelukast (n = 18), 24 µg formoterol (n = 18) or placebo (n = 36).Results Seventy‐nine children completed the study. After treatment with triamcinolone and montelukast the level of IL‐10 in blood serum significantly increased, eosinophil blood counts and ECP levels significantly decreased and all clinical parameters improved; treatment with formoterol had no effect on IL‐10 level, eosinophil blood counts in serum and bronchial hyper‐reactivity; ECP level significantly decreased after treatment and asthma symptoms and FEV1 improved significantly. Mean IL‐10 levels in serum before and after treatment with triamcinolone were 7.23 pg/mL with 95% CI, 6.74 –7.72% and 14.24 pg/mL with 95% CI, 11.6–16.88%, respectively (P < 0.001); with montelukast they were 6.59 pg/mL with 95% CI, 6.26–7.23% and 10.94 pg/mL with 95% CI, 8.24–12.65%, respectively (P < 0.002); with formoterol they were 7.06 pg/mL with 95% CI, 6.61–7.52% and 7.04 pg/mL with 95% CI, 6.15–7.93%. We found statistically significant correlations between serum level of IL‐10 and serum level of ECP after treatment with triamcinolone and montelukast.Conclusion This study demonstrates that one possible way by which triamcinolone and montelukast contribute to inhibition of inflammation is by increasing IL‐10 levels.
Cloning and molecular characterization of the Hevea brasiliensis allergen Hev b 11, a class I chitinase
Authors: O'Riordain G. , Radauer C. , Hoffmann‐Sommergruber K. , Adhami F. , Peterbauer C. K. , Blanco C. , Godnic‐Cvar J. , Scheiner O. , Ebner C. , Breiteneder H. 
Published: March 2003

Background In the last 10 years type‐I allergy against proteins from Hevea brasiliensis latex has become an acknowledged medical issue. Fruit‐allergic patients represent one risk group for developing latex allergy. Class I chitinases have been identified from chestnut, avocado and banana as relevant allergens. The chitin binding (hevein) domain from these class I chitinases has been postulated to bear the important IgE binding epitopes.Objective To clone the cDNA of an allergenic latex class I chitinase, to express the recombinant protein and to determine its IgE cross‐reactivity with hevein (Hev b 6.02).Methods A full‐length cDNA coding for a class I chitinase has been isolated from Hevea latex RNA by reverse transcription followed by PCR. The chitinase encoding sequence has been subcloned into the pMAL expression vector and expressed in E. coli as a fusion protein to maltose binding protein. The highly enriched recombinant protein fraction has been tested for its IgE binding capacity in immunoblots and ELISA. Furthermore, the pathogenesis‐related function of the recombinant protein was tested in a fungal growth inhibition assay.Results The Hevea brasiliensis latex chitinase, designated Hev b 11, displays 70% identity to the endochitinase from avocado and its hevein‐domain 58% to hevein (Hev b 6.02). The recombinant Hev b 11‐maltose binding protein is recognized by latex‐ and fruit‐allergic patients with IgE binding in both, ELISA and immunoblots. Pre‐incubation of sera with rHev b 11‐maltose binding protein showed an overall 16% inhibition of subsequent binding to rHev b 6.02‐maltose binding protein on solid phase. The growth of F. oxysporum was inhibited in a dose dependent manner by addition of rHev b 11‐maltose binding protein to the culture.Conclusions Hev b 11, a class I chitinase, is another allergen from Hevea latex with a chitin binding domain and displays a different IgE binding capacity compared with hevein.
The involvement of sensory neuropeptides in airway hyper‐responsiveness in rabbits sensitized and challenged to Parietaria judaica
Authors: D'Agostino B. , Advenier C. , De Palma R. , Gallelli L. , Marrocco G. , Abbate G. F. , Rossi F. 
Published: March 2003

Background C‐fibres have received considerable attention in the context of airway hyper‐responsiveness (AHR), in fact several lines of evidence suggest that tachykinins might be involved in the pathogenesis of AHR.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the role of capsaicin‐sensitive sensory C‐fibres and tachykinins in rabbits sensitized to the major allergen of Parietaria judaica pollen (Par j1).Methods Airway responsiveness was determined by exposing sensitized rabbits to cumulative concentrations of aerosolized histamine before and after an allergic challenge and after a pre‐treatment with either vehicle or capsaicin or tachykinin receptor antagonists. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed following histamine challenge and total and differential cell counts were performed.Results In sensitized rabbits, an AHR to inhaled histamine was observed 24 h after a Par j1 challenge. Capsaicin pre‐treatment inhibited the AHR achieved 24 h following antigen exposure (P < 0.01). Pre‐treatment with the tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist, SR 48968, significantly reduced the antigen‐induced AHR (P < 0.05), while pre‐treatment with tachykinin NK1 (SR 140333) and NK3 (SR 142801) receptor antagonists did not significantly modify it. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from vehicle and capsaicin‐treated rabbits challenged with Par j1 exhibited no significant differences in total and differential cell counts.Conclusions Parietaria judaica‐induced AHR in immunized rabbits was shown to be inhibited by pre‐treatment with capsaicin, an effect that is not related to an action on the associated pulmonary infiltration of eosinophils. The involvement of NK2 receptor stimulation in this phenomenon also suggests that NK2 receptor antagonists may be useful for investigating mechanisms of bronchopulmonary alterations in asthmatic patients.