bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum immunoglobulin E levels predict human airway reactivity in vitro
Authors: Schmidt  , Watson  , Ruehlmann  , Magnussen  , Rabe  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundAirway hyperresponsiveness to non‐specific stimuli is one characteristic feature of airway diseases such as bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis. Until now, studies aiming to demonstrate a relationship between in vivo conditions associated with airway hyperreactivity and in vitro airway responsiveness have been inconclusive.ObjectiveSince serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E is believed to be one determinant of airway reactivity in vivo, we studied whether in vitro airway reactivity in lung resection material from patients with elevated levels of serum IgE was increased as compared with patients with undetectable IgE. By this approach, we aimed to elucidate the role of circulating IgE for bronchial smooth muscle reactivity in vitro.MethodsBronchial rings from nine patients with total serum IgE levels above 200 U/mL and 10 patients with total serum IgE levels below 10 U/mL were passively sensitized, i.e. incubated overnight with buffer or sensitizing serum containing high levels of total IgE (> 250 U/mL). Afterwards, contractile responses to histamine were assessed in the organ bath.ResultsHistamine responsiveness was significantly increased in airways obtained from patients with IgE levels above 200 U/mL as compared with airways from patients with IgE levels below 10 U/mL (P < 0.05). Passive sensitization of bronchi from patients with low IgE significantly increased histamine responsiveness, as compared with non‐sensitized controls from the same patients (P < 0.05). In contrast, passive sensitization of airways from patients with elevated IgE did not further increase responsiveness. There was no difference in histamine reactivity between non‐passively sensitized and passively sensitized tissue preparations from patients with IgE above 200 U/mL and passively sensitized tissues from patients with IgE below 10 U/mL.ConclusionOur findings reveal that elevated levels of serum IgE predict airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine in vitro. At the same time, they indicate that the in vitro model of passive sensitization, in addition to its ability to induce allergen responses, also mimics conditions of non‐specific airway hyperreactivity, which are relevant under in vivo conditions.
Differences in size selective aerosol sampling for pollen allergen detection using high‐volume cascade impactors
Authors: Riediker  , Koller  , Monn  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundAssessment of the allergen content of airborne particles small enough to reach the bronchiolar airways is important for a better understanding of allergic asthma.ObjectiveIn order to test the performance of a high‐volume cascade impactor for size‐selective sampling of airborne particles, the characteristics of pollen deposition, and the particle size‐dependent allergen distribution, were re‐examined.MethodsTwo cascade impactors with rectangular slots were run in parallel, one with glass fibre filters on all stages, the other with silicone grease on stage 2 (collection of particles of size 4.2–10.2 μm) instead. Pollen was counted using light microscopy and allergens were measured using ELISA techniques.ResultsIn the impactor without the greased stage 2, a heavy bounce and blow‐off for pollen was found. Bounced pollen was deposited mainly on the back‐up filter, the sampling stage for particles smaller than 1.4 μm. However, if stage 2 was coated with silicone grease, less than 1% of total pollen was found in the lower stages. On the first stage of the sampler (50% cut‐point, 10.2 μm) where all pollen should impact, pollen had a deposition efficiency of only 24–47%, depending on the abundant pollen species. Much less allergen was found in fine particle fractions than in previous studies in which particles were sampled with similar samplers but without grease as a pollen trap.ConclusionsThe observed bounce and blow‐off of pollen without a greased stage 2 leads to serious mistakes when assessing the allergen content of the fractions collecting particles smaller than intact pollen, i.e., below 10.2 μm. Pollen allergen concentrations in respirable particle fractions are much lower than in the pollen size fraction. This is of great importance both for symptoms of sensitized allergic asthmatics and for research of asthma‐related mechanisms.
Farm environment in childhood prevents the development of allergies
Authors: Kilpeläinen  , Terho  , Helenius  , Koskenvuo  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundA protective effect of infections in early life might explain the firmly reported finding of an inverse association between atopic disorders and large sibships.ObjectiveTo study the effect of childhood farm, rural non‐farm and urban environment, as well as family size and other factors on the occurrence of asthma, wheezing and atopic disorders up to young adulthood.MethodsData on lifetime prevalence of physician‐diagnosed asthma, allergic rhinitis and/or allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, as well as self‐reported episodic wheezing from 10 667 Finnish first‐year university students aged 18–24 years were collected by a postal questionnaire. Associations of lifetime prevalence of the diseases with living on a farm, in a rural non‐farm and urban environment during childhood were estimated by logistic regression analysis. Adjustment was made for potential confounding by gender, parental atopy, parental education, number of older siblings, day care outside the home and passive smoking.ResultsThe childhood farm environment independently reduced the risk for physician‐diagnosed allergic rhinitis and/or allergic conjunctivitis (adjusted odds ratio 0.63, 95% CI 0.50–0.79, P < 0.001), and for diagnosed asthma and episodic wheezing analysed together (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.54–0.93, P < 0.05), but not for atopic dermatitis during lifetime. Urban childhood environment did not show independent increased risk when compared with rural non‐farm residence. The inverse association of sibship size with the occurrence of allergic rhinitis and/or allergic conjunctivitis was found among subjects with one (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.77–0.96, P < 0.01) or at least four older siblings (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.26–0.84, P < 0.05).ConclusionChildhood farm environment seems to have a protective effect against allergic rhinitis and/or conjunctivitis, and more weakly against asthma and wheezing irrespective of family size. Environmental exposure to immune modulating agents, such as environmental mycobacteria and actinomycetes, favouring manifestation of a nonatopic phenotype could explain the finding.
The role of CD23 on allergen‐induced IgE levels, pulmonary eosinophilia and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in mice
Authors: Riffo‐Vasquez  , Spina  , Thomas  , Gilbey  , Kemeny  , Page  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundThe role of Immunoglobulin (Ig)E in inflammation is the subject of considerable study and a number of studies have shown conflicting evidence for its role in eosinophil recruitment and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in a number of murine models. The low affinity IgE receptor, CD23, is known to act as a negative regulator of IgE production and we have used knockout mice deficient in CD23 to investigate the role of IgE in eosinophil recruitment and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in a murine model of airway inflammation.ObjectiveTo study the role of the low affinity FcεII receptor, CD23 in IgE production, lung inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.MethodsWild‐type and CD23 knockout C57Bl/6 mice (CD23−/−) were immunized by intraperitoneal injection with ovalbumin on days 0 and 14 and challenged with aerosolized antigen on day 21 for a period of up to 1 week. Blood samples, bronchoalveolar lavage and lung tissue samples were obtained to determine serum IgE levels and inflammatory cell numbers, respectively. Furthermore, airway resistance was measured to increasing concentrations of aerosolized 5‐hydroxytryptamine in order to evaluate the effect of CD23 deficiency on bronchial hyperresponsiveness to antigen challenge.ResultsSensitization of wild‐type C57Bl/6 mice to ovalbumin resulted in elevated levels of total serum IgE and ovalbumin‐specific IgE, which was significantly augmented in CD23 knockout C57Bl/6 mice (CD23−/−). A significant increase in the percentage of eosinophils recovered in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from wild‐type and CD23−/− mice was observed 24 h following 3 or 7 days aerosol exposure with ovalbumin (10 mg/mL). At 3 days, the increase in the percentage of eosinophils was significantly greater in CD23−/− groups. Immunohistochemical analysis of lungs sections revealed the presence of CD3+, CD4+ and CD23+ cells in wild‐type mice but a lack of immunofluorescence of CD23+ cells in CD23−/− mice. In wild‐type ovalbumin‐immunized mice, bronchial hyperresponsiveness to aerosolized 5‐hydroxytryptamine was observed following a 3‐day antigen challenge, which was significantly greater in CD23−/− ovalbumin‐immunized mice.ConclusionThese studies demonstrate that CD23−/− mice have increased capacity to produce IgE consistent with the view of a negative feedback role for membrane‐bound CD23 and under such conditions, may account for the greater numbers of eosinophils recruited to the airways and bronchial hyperresponsiveness observed following acute but not chronic antigen challenge.
Skin prick test and serological analysis with recombinant group 2 allergens of the dust mites L. destructor and T. putrescentiae
Authors: Kronqvist  , Johansson  , Magnusson  , Olsson  , Eriksson  , Gafvelin  , Van Hage‐Hamsten  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundThe dust mites Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae are important sources of allergen in farming environments. The major allergens of the dust mites L. destructor and T. putrescentiae have been cloned and expressed as recombinant proteins.ObjectiveTo evaluate the use of recombinant group 2 allergens of L. destructor (rLep d 2) and T. putrescentiae (rTyr p 2) in skin prick test (SPT), and serological analysis in sensitized and non‐sensitized farmers chronically exposed to dust mites.MethodsSkin prick test with rLep d 2, rTyr p 2 and the corresponding commercial extracts was performed in 44 farmers sensitized to L. destructor and/or T. putrescentiae, and 38 control farmers. IgE and IgG subclass antibodies to the recombinant allergens were analysed by RAST and ELISA, respectively.ResultsOut of the 44 subjects positive in SPT to L. destructor and/or T. putrescentiae extract, 26 (59%) displayed a positive SPT to one or the other of the recombinant allergens, whereas 21 (48%) were positive to both. Significant correlations were registered between the sizes of the weals induced by rLep d 2 and rTyr p 2 and the corresponding RAST values (P < 0.001). A majority of subjects positive in SPT to the recombinant allergens had detectable IgG4 antibodies, and the levels were significantly higher in the dust mite sensitized group than in the controls (P < 0.05). No such differences were found in the IgG1values (P > 0.05). The results obtained with rLep d 2 and rTyr p 2 correlated relatively well with each other with respect to SPT, RAST and IgG4, suggesting that the allergens have similar or shared IgE epitopes. All the control subjects had a negative SPT and RAST to rLep d 2 and rTyr p 2.ConclusionRecombinant group 2 allergens from the dust mite L. destructor and T. putrescentiae represent useful tools for diagnosis of dust mite allergy.
Allergen‐induced airway inflammation and bronchial responsiveness in interleukin‐5 receptor α chain‐deficient mice
Authors: Tanaka  , Kawada  , Yamada  , Kawada  , Takatsu  , Nagai  
Published: March 2003

ObjectiveThe role of IL‐5 receptor α chain (IL‐5Rα) in the onset of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to acetylcholine was investigated by testing IL‐5Rα knockout (IL‐5Rα KO) mice.MethodsMice were immunized with antigen at intervals of 12 days. Starting 10 days after the secondary immunization, mice were exposed to antigen three times every fourth day. Twenty‐four hours after the last antigen challenge, bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine was measured and bronchoalveolar lavage was carried out.ResultsTwenty‐four hours after the last antigen inhalation, total and differential cells counts of bronchoalveolar lavage revealed a significant increase in eosinophils and lymphocytes in ovalbumin‐exposed wild‐type mice. In IL‐5Rα KO mice, there was little increase of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The production of IL‐5 in BALF increased in both mice after repeated antigen challenge, and there was no significant difference between wild‐type and IL‐5Rα KO mice. Similar to the BAL study, histological sections of lung tissue from ovalbumin‐exposed wild‐type mice exhibited airway eosinophilic inflammation, which was attenuated by the deficiency of IL‐5Rα chain. There was no significant difference in serum antigen‐specific IgE levels between wild‐type and IL‐5Rα KO mice after immunization nor antigen inhalation. Repeated antigen provocation caused BHR to acetylcholine in wild‐type mice. In contrast, no BHR was observed in IL‐5Rα KO mice after repeated inhalation of antigen.ConclusionThese findings indicate that IL‐5Rα plays an important role in the development of antigen‐induced airway eosinophilia and BHR in mice.
Colonization with superantigen‐producing Staphylococcus aureus is associated with increased severity of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Zollner  , Wichelhaus  , Hartung  , Von Mallinckrodt  , Wagner  , Brade  , Kaufmann  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with colonization of the skin with Staphylococcus aureus known to produce toxins with superantigen (SAg) activity. Besides T‐cell activation these toxins induce T‐cell skin homing in vitro. This may contribute to the observed induction or enhancement of skin inflammation.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine whether colonization with SAg‐producing S. aureus isolates modulates the intensity of AD. If so, it was of interest whether this may be primarily due to the toxins' effects as SAgs or as allergens.MethodsIn AD patients, healthy controls, and atopic controls SAg production by S. aureus isolated from skin or mucous membranes was investigated and correlated to the severity of the disease. Total IgE, SAg‐specific IgE, and T‐cell activation and recirculation markers were analysed and correlated with SAg production.ResultsFifty‐seven percent of S. aureus strains isolated from AD patients produced SAgs. This frequency was higher compared to healthy controls (33%). SAg production by S. aureus was correlated with a significantly higher scoring of AD (SCORAD index, 58 ± 19 in SAg‐producing vs 41 ± 7 in non‐SAg‐producing germs; P < 0.05). However, the severity of the disease was not associated with sensitization against the SAgs staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). Furthermore, SAg production by S. aureus was inversely correlated with total IgE concentration (P < 0.05) and positively correlated with T‐cell activation (as measured by HLA‐DR and CD69 expression) and the expression of the T‐cell skin homing phenotype cutaneous lymphocyte‐associated antigen.ConclusionSAg production by S. aureus is suggested to be associated with an increased severity of atopic dermatitis. Since SAg production was found neither exclusively in AD patients nor in all patients, other pathogenic factors may be additionally effective.
Regulation of FcεRI expression on human monocytic cells by ligand and IL‐4
Authors: Reischl  , Dubois  , Peiritsch  , Brown  , Wheat  , Woisetschläger  , Mudde  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundThe FcεRI subunit composition and kinetic of expression differ between antigen‐presenting cells and mast cells. Up to now, there has been no human in vitro model available that mimics the characteristics on monocytes.ObjectiveThe characterization of a natural human monocytic cell line (THP1), which expresses FcεRI, and the comparison to primary human monocytes and other monocytic cell lines, which only express FcεRI after transfection with the human FcεRI α‐chain gene.MethodsSurface receptor expression was characterized by flow cytometry, the human FcεRI α‐chain gene was introduced by electroporation, and induction of FcεRI α‐chain message was detected by semiquantitative RT PCR.ResultsHere we show that the parental human cell line THP1, but none of the other cell lines tested, displays surface FcεRI in response to IL‐4 or incubation with receptor ligand (IgE, antibody). Transfection of FcεRI α‐chain resulted in receptor expression on all cell lines, all of which increased surface FcεRI in the presence of IgE. Only the THP1‐α transfectant, however, further increased receptor levels in response to IL‐4, resulting from mRNA induction for the FcεRI‐α, but not the β‐ or γ‐subunit.ConclusionBased on THP1, U937 and HL60 and their α‐chain transfectants we present a model system for the study of FcεRI regulation and signalling on human cells. THP1 in particular, due to its responsiveness to both ligand and IL‐4, even without prior manipulation, is ideally suited to address questions on FcεRI modulation in an ‘allergic environment’.
Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine is increased in citrus red mite (Panonychus citri)‐sensitive children without asthmatic symptoms
Authors: Min  , Kim  , Park  , Lee  , Lee  , Son  , Kim  , Cho  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundA recent investigation has suggested that citrus red mite (Panonychus citri, CRM) is a common sensitizing allergen among children living around citrus farms.ObjectiveA cross‐sectional survey was performed to evaluate the bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in CRM‐sensitive children without asthmatic symptoms.Subjects and methodsA total of 375 children living around citrus farms were enrolled in this study. There were 201 boys and 174 girls with a mean age of 12.5 (range 7–16) years. Each subject was evaluated by a questionnaire, a skin prick test with 13 common inhalant allergens including CRM, and a methacholine bronchial provocation test (MBPT).ResultsPositive rate of MBPT (PC20‐methacholine < 25 mg/mL) was higher in atopic rhinitic and atopic control children than in nonatopic rhinitic and nonatopic control subjects (41.3% and 33.3% vs 17.2% and 15.4%, respectively, both P < 0.05). Slope of dose–response curve (DRS, %/mg/mL) was higher in atopic rhinitic children than in nonatopic rhinitic, atopic control and nonatopic control subjects (14.3 ± 0.87 vs 9.4 ± 0.72, 10.0 ± 1.37 and 9.2 ± 1.51, P < 0.05, respectively). Both the positive rate of MBPT and the DRS were increased in children with positive skin response to CRM than in those without sensitization (48.2% vs 22.9%, P = 0.0001; 15.6 ± 1.26 vs 10.2 ± 0.65, P = 0.0001).ConclusionBronchial responsiveness is increased in citrus red mite‐sensitive children even if they have no asthmatic symptoms.
Anaphylaxis to camomile: clinical features and allergen cross‐reactivity
Authors: Reider N. , Sepp N. , Fritsch P. , Weinlich G. , Jensen‐Jarolim E. 
Published: March 2003

BackgroundMedicinal remedies of plant origin became very popular in recent years, and allergic reactions to these are on the rise, accordingly. Camomile has been reported as a potential trigger of severe anaphylaxis. The allergens responsible for camomile allergy have not been characterized as yet.ObjectiveThe present study aims at reviewing the clinical symptomatology of immediate‐type reactions in a series of patients sensitized to camomile and at characterizing the responsible allergens.MethodsFourteen patients with a history of allergy either to camomile or to spices or weeds, and a positive skin prick test/RAST to camomile were investigated for related allergic reactions to food, pollen and others. IgE‐binding patterns were determined by immunoblotting, inhibition tests and deglycosylation experiments.ResultsTen of 14 patients had a clinical history of immediate‐type reactions to camomile, in some cases life threatening. Eleven subjects were also sensitized to mugwort in prick or RAST, eight to birch tree pollen. Using a polyclonal rabbit anti‐Bet v 1 antibody, a homologue of the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 was detected in two camomile blots. In four cases a group of higher molecular weight allergens (23–50 kDa) showed IgE‐binding to camomile. All allergens proved heat stable. Binding was inhibited in variable degrees by extracts from celery roots, anize seeds and pollen from mugwort, birch and timothy grass. Deglycosylation experiments proved the presence of carbohydrate determinants in camomile which were not responsible for IgE‐binding, though. Profilins (Bet v 2) were not detected in our camomile extracts.ConclusionIncidence and risk of type I allergy to camomile may be underestimated. Concurrent sensitization to mugwort and birch pollen is not infrequent. Bet v 1 and noncarbohydrate higher molecular weight proteins were found to be eliciting allergens and are responsible for cross‐reactivity with other foods and pollen.
Affinity of IgE antibody to antigen influences allergen‐induced histamine release
Authors: Mita H. , Yasueda H. , Akiyama K. 
Published: March 2003

BackgroundAlthough affinity of an antibody for an antigen is recognized to be an important factor in determining its biological effects, little is known about the relevance of such affinity of IgE antibodies to the functional response.ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of IgE antibody affinity to Der p 2 on Der p 2‐induced histamine release from human basophils.MethodsThe most probable value of the dissociation constant (Kd) of IgE antibody to Der p 2 was calculated and histamine release by Der p 2‐challenged leucocytes was used to evaluate the biological efficacy of the IgE antibody.ResultsThe most probable Kd value of IgE antibody to Der p 2 ranged from 5.6 to 177.8 pM in 14 asthmatic patients sensitive to Der p 2. A significant correlation was observed in Der p 2‐induced histamine release between the sensitivity and the Kd value for Der p 2‐specific IgE antibody (rs = 0.797, P = 0.0040), suggesting that the higher the affinity, the lower the amount of allergen required for the release of a specific level of histamine.ConclusionApart from the changes associated with the reactivity, the sensitivity of histamine release is closely related to the affinity of IgE antibody for its antigen.
Lack of allergic cross‐reactivity to cephalosporins among patients allergic to penicillins
Authors: Novalbos A. , Sastre J. , Cuesta J. , De Las Heras M. , Lluch‐Bernal M. , Bombín C. , Quirce S. 
Published: March 2003

There are some contradicting data about clinical allergic cross‐reactivity to cephalosporins among patients who have had a previous allergic reaction to penicillins.The purpose of this study was to assess the safety of administering cephalosporins to penicillin‐allergic patients.The diagnosis of penicillin allergy was made by positive skin tests to penicillin reagents and/or provocation tests with the penicillin suspected of causing the allergic reaction. To assess the clinical tolerance to cephalosporins, 41 well‐characterized penicillin allergic patients diagnosed by positive skin tests and/or provocation tests were challenged with three cephalosporins that do not share the same side chain to the penicillin that induced the reactions: cephazoline, cefuroxime and ceftriaxone.Skin prick and intradermal tests with all cephalosporins tested were negative. All penicillin‐allergic patients tolerated therapeutic doses of the three cephalosporins tested (cephazoline, cefuroxime and ceftriaxone) without any ill effect.These results indicate that the risk of suffering from an allergic reaction on administering cephalosporins to penicillin‐allergic patients seems to be very low, provided that cephalosporins with a different side chain to the penicillin responsible for the allergic reaction are used.