Showing papers in "International Archives of Allergy and Immunology in 2007"
TL;DR: Low binding affinity between IgE and plant N-glycans now drops out as a plausible explanation for the benign nature of CCDs, which may result from blocking antibodies induced by an incidental ‘immune therapy’ exerted by everyday contact with plant materials.
Abstract: The asparagine-linked carbohydrate moieties of plant and insect glycoproteins are the most abundant environmental immune determinants. They are the structural basis of what is known as cross-reactive
358 citations
TL;DR: The alpha-amylase inhibitor was confirmed to be the most important wheat allergen in food allergy and to play a role in wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis, too.
Abstract: Background: Three main problems hamper the identification of wheat food allergens: (1) lack of a standardized procedure for extracting all of the wheat protein fractions; (2) absenc
193 citations
TL;DR: This is the first allergen reported for the Pacific white shrimp species; it was named Lit v 2 and has a 96% identity to Pen m 2 from Penaeus monodon.
Abstract: Background: Consumption of seafood can produce allergic symptoms in susceptible individuals and crustacean allergies are the most frequently reported causes of allergic reactions. &
156 citations
TL;DR: The role of individual cytokines in the pathogenesis of asthma is discussed and newly identified cytokines including thymic stromal lymphopoietin, IL-25 and IL-33 are involved in the induction of allergic inflammation in asthma.
Abstract: Asthma is characterized by intense infiltration of eosinophils and CD4+ T cells into the submucosal tissue of airways. Accumulating evidence indicates that T helper type 2 cell-derived cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13 play critical roles in orchestrating and amplifying allergic inflammation in asthma. In addition, it has been suggested that newly identified cytokines including thymic stromal lymphopoietin, IL-25 and IL-33 are involved in the induction of allergic inflammation in asthma. In this review, we discuss the role of individual cytokines in the pathogenesis of asthma.
152 citations
TL;DR: Although the present meta-analysis revealed that psychological interventions had a significant ameliorating effect on eczema severity, itching intensity and scratching in atopic dermatitis patients, a definite conclusion about their effectiveness seems premature.
Abstract: Background: Psychological interventions may be valuable in atopic dermatitis. We systematically reviewed and carried out a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of psycholog
132 citations
TL;DR: All patients with unexplained hypotension after hymenoptera stings should undergo a thorough investigation for major and minor SM criteria regardless of the tryptase level or presence of skin lesions, in order to diagnose or exclude SM or a related subdiagnostic condition tentatively termed monoclonal mast cell activation syndrome.
Abstract: Background: Patients with mastocytosis may suffer from severe hypotension after wasp or bee stings. In these patients, no specific IgE is detectable, but they usually have skin lesi
114 citations
TL;DR: It is indicated that fermented milk containing LcS does not prevent allergic symptoms in patients sensitive to JCP, but may delay the occurrence of allergic Symptoms in patients with moderate-to-severe nasal symptom scores.
Abstract: Background: Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) has been found to exert antiallergic effects in animal experiments, but there is little information about its
111 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that, in allergen-induced asthma, TSLP acts on NKT cells to enhance airway hyperreactivity by upregulating their IL-13 production, whereas eosinophilia and IgE production are not influenced.
Abstract: Asthma is an inflammatory lung disease, in which CD1d-restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells play an importantpathogenic role. Also, recent reports indicated that a cytokine, thymic stromal lymphopoi
97 citations
TL;DR: This review outlines the mechanism of pollen fragmentation and possible pathophysiology of pollen fragment-induced asthma and examines synergistic effects and enhanced immune response from interaction in the atmosphere, or from co-deposition in the airways, of pollen allergens, endogenous pro-inflammatory agents, and the particulate and gaseous fraction of combustion products.
Abstract: Pollen allergy has been found in 80–90% of childhood asthmatics and 40–50% of adult-onset asthmatics. Despite the high prevalence of atopy in asthmatics, a causal relationship between the allergic response and asthma has not been clearly established. Pollen grains are too large to penetrate the small airways where asthma occurs. Yet pollen cytoplasmic fragments are respirable and are likely correlated with the asthmatic response in allergic asthmatics. In this review, we outline the mechanism of pollen fragmentation and possible pathophysiology of pollen fragment-induced asthma. Pollen grains rupture within the male flowers and emit cytoplasmic debris when winds or other disturbances disperse the pollen. Peak levels of grass and birch pollen allergens in the atmosphere correlated with the occurrence of moist weather conditions during the flowering period. Thunderstorm asthma epidemics may be triggered by grass pollen rupture in the atmosphere and the entrainment of respirable-sized particles in the outflows of air masses at ground level. Pollen contains nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced) oxidases and bioactive lipid mediators which likely contribute to the inflammatory response. Several studies have examined synergistic effects and enhanced immune response from interaction in the atmosphere, or from co-deposition in the airways, of pollen allergens, endogenous pro-inflammatory agents, and the particulate and gaseous fraction of combustion products. Pollen and fungal fragments also contain compounds that can suppress reactive oxidants and quench free radicals. It is important to know more about how these substances interact to potentially enhance, or even ameliorate, allergic asthma.
97 citations
TL;DR: Results indicate that EGCG may be helpful in regulating mast-cell-mediated allergic inflammatory response through the inhibition of the intracellular Ca2+ level, and of ERK1/2 and NF-ĸB activation.
Abstract: Background: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a major form of tea catechin and has a variety of biological activities In the present study, we investigated the effect of EGCG on
96 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors targeted food allergy as a public health priority by the European Union Commission and proposed a public-health priority for food allergy in children in the EU, where the parent's perception of food allergy is a proxy measure of the p
Abstract: Background: Food allergy is targeted as a public health priority by the European Union Commission. Parental perception of food allergy in their offspring is a proxy measure of the p
TL;DR: Establishing an updated cutoff value able to identify atopic subjects, defined as a positive CAP-radioallergosorbent test to at least one of a panel of common allergens, among young European adults is established, due to the adequate specificity.
Abstract: Allergic sensitization mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE) is the basis of allergic diseases, and elevated total IgE, in spite of some well-known limitations, is frequently included as a diagnostic cri
TL;DR: The finding that nasal allergen contact is a major factor for the boosting of memory IgE and systemic sensitivity may open new therapeutic possibilities.
Abstract: Background: Natural allergen contact induces an increase of IgE levels and sensitivity but the mechanisms underlying the allergen-specific memory responses are poorly understood. Furthermore, it has not been studied whether allergen exposure affects the molecular reactivity profiles in patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of nasal allergen encounter on the molecular profile and magnitude of memory IgE responses and on systemic sensitivity. Methods: We investigated allergen-specific IgE, IgG subclass and IgM responses to defined allergen molecules (grass pollen: Phl p 1, Phl p 2 and Phl p 5; birch pollen: Bet v 1 and Bet v 2) in allergic patients in response to natural as well as to controlled nasal and dermal allergen exposure. Changes in systemic sensitivity were monitored by skin prick testing and by basophil histamine release experiments. Results: Respiratory antigen exposure boosted IgE levels to a pre-established profile of allergen molecules without inducing significant IgM responses or new IgE specificities in allergic individuals. The importance of the route of allergen contact is demonstrated by an increase of systemic IgE levels and sensitivity after nasal exposure. In vitro sensitisation of basophils with pre- and post-seasonal serum samples suggests an allergen-induced elevation of specific IgE as a cause for the increased allergen-specific sensitivity. Conclusion: The characteristics of the allergen-driven antibody responses indicate a direct activation of an established pool of IgE memory cells with defined specificities as an underlying mechanism. Our finding that nasal allergen contact is a major factor for the boosting of memory IgE and systemic sensitivity may open new therapeutic possibilities.
TL;DR: In this paper, no internationally validated questionnaires were used to investigate the prevalence of infant wheezing. But they were validated using a questionnaire for the International Journal of Epidemiology (IJE).
Abstract: Background: There are no internationally validated questionnaires to investigate the prevalence of infant wheezing. This study was undertaken to validate a questionnaire for the Int
TL;DR: Transdermal exposure to hazelnut protein is sufficient to activate the key immune pathways necessary for sensitizing mice for clinical immediate hypersensitivity reactions and this mouse model may be useful for further basic and applied studies on tree nut allergy, especially because it does not depend on an adjuvant for eliciting immediate hypers sensitivity reactions to nut protein.
Abstract: Background: Tree nut allergy, a major group of food allergy, is often linked to fatal or near-fatal systemic anaphylaxis. Currently, an adjuvant-free mouse model to study tree nut h
TL;DR: Probiotics enhanced the production of Th1 and regulatory cytokines in vitro and indicated that probiotics have a different potential to modulate the immune response in vitro versus ex vivo.
Abstract: Background: Previous studies suggest that administration of probiotics in vitro can stimulate regulatory and Th1 immune responses. We studied both the in vitro immunological effects of probiotics and the ex vivo immunological effects after oral administration of probiotics in children with food allergy, a Th2-mediated disease. Methods: Thirteen children were enrolled. Probiotics (n = 7) or placebo (n = 6) were orally administered during 3 months. At baseline and after 1 and 3 months, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with crude peanut extract, anti-CD3, or anti-CD40 and IL-4 in the presence (in vitro response) or absence (ex vivo response) of probiotics. The proliferation and production of IFN-γ, IL-5, IL-13, IL-10, TNF-α, IL-6 and IgE were analyzed. Sensitization to peanut, cow’s milk and hen’s egg was determined before and after treatment. Results: The in vitro addition of probiotics to peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures resulted in enhanced proliferation and production of IFN-γ, IL-10 and TNF-α. After oral treatment, proliferation in the presence of probiotics increased, whereas in vitro IgE production decreased in the probiotics group compared to baseline. The ex vivo production of IL-10, TNF-α and IL-6 tended to decrease. Th1 and Th2 cytokines were not altered. Sensitization remained unchanged. Conclusion: Probiotics enhanced the production of Th1 and regulatory cytokines in vitro. Oral administration of probiotics resulted in a slightly decreased ex vivo production of IL-10, TNF-α and IL-6. This indicates that probiotics have a different potential to modulate the immune response in vitro versus ex vivo.
TL;DR: Investigation of the impact of the major gaseous air pollutants on grass pollen allergens induced a decrease in allergen detection in pollen extracts, which could be due to a mechanical loss of allergens from the altered pollen grains and/or post-translational modifications affecting allerGEN recognition by IgE.
Abstract: Air pollution is frequently proposed as a potential cause of the increased incidence of allergy in industrialised countries. Our objective was to investigate the impact of the major gaseous air pollutants on grass pollen allergens. Timothy grass pollen was exposed to ozone (O-3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) alone or in combination. Allergen contents were analysed by 2-dimensional immunoblot using grass pollen-sensitive patient sera. For O-3-treated pollen, immunoblotting showed an acidification of allergens Phl p 1b, Phl p 4, Phl p 5 and Phl p 6 and an IgE recognition decrease in Phl p 1, Phl p 2, Phl p 6 and Phl p 13. NO2 exposure induced a decrease in Phl p 2, Phl p 5b and Phl p 6 recognition, and SO2 treatment induced a decrease in Phl p 2, Phl p 6 and Phl p 13 recognition. Moreover, samples treated with a mix of NO2/O-3 or NO2/SO2 showed a higher decrease in allergen content, compared with samples treated with only one pollutant. The O-3 acidification was also observed with the NO2/O-3 mix. Exposure of pollen to gaseous pollutants induced a decrease in allergen detection in pollen extracts. This decrease could be due to a mechanical loss of allergens from the altered pollen grains and/or post-translational modifications affecting allergen recognition by IgE.
TL;DR: Synthetic dsRNA poly I:C stimulates the expression of inflammatory chemokines in airway epithelial cells, but the putative receptors for ds RNA such as RIG-I, MDA-5, or PKR may not play pivotal roles in this process.
Abstract: Background: We hypothesized that synthetic double-stranded (ds)RNA may mimic viral infection and reported that dsRNA stimulates expression of inflammatory chemokines through a recep
TL;DR: These studies suggest that IgE antigens Sm22.6 and Sm20.8 are only released to boost antibodies when adult worms die, whilst Sm21.7 and SmDLC1 are released constantly from eggs dying in host tissue, may be influenced by patterns of exposure and the number of EF-hand motifs.
Abstract: Background: The human IgE response is associated with allergy and with host defence against parasitic worms. A response to Sm22.6, the dominant IgE antigen in adult Schisto
TL;DR: Carrot, potato, banana and melon seem safe for LTP-allergic patients, and this finding may be helpful for a better management of allergy to LTP.
Abstract: Background: Lipid transfer protein (LTP) is a widely cross-reacting plant pan-allergen. Adverse reactions to Rosaceae, tree nuts, peanut, beer, maize, mustard, asparagus, grapes, mu
TL;DR: The aim of this study was to characterize the soya proteome and IgE-reactive proteins as well as to compare the IgE response in soya-allergic individuals to genetically modified Roundup Ready soya versus its non-transgenic control.
Abstract: Background: In spite of being among the main foods responsible for allergic reactions worldwide, soybean (Glycine max) -derived products continue to be increasingl
TL;DR: The DEFB1 gene is probably involved in the incidence and development of AD, but additional functional studies will be necessary to understand the biological role of these SNPs.
Abstract: Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic multifactorial allergic disease with unclear etiology. The antimicrobial human β-defensin 1 is chemotactic for dendritic cells, which
TL;DR: LTP is the major grape allergen, while additional minor allergens may contribute to clinical reactivity, and the ‘LTP syndrome’ is the appropriate term to describe this condition.
Abstract: Background: Grape allergy is considered rare; grape lipid transfer protein (LTP; Vit v 1), an endochitinase and a thaumatin-like protein (TLP) have been reported as grape allergens.
TL;DR: This review wants to illuminate what is known about potential immune escape mechanisms used by HRV and discuss how such disturbances might lead to a suppressed and dysregulated immune competence in man.
Abstract: Human rhinoviruses (HRV) are the major cause of the common cold, one of the most frequent infectious diseases in humans. Though HRV infections of the upper respiratory tract are usually rather harmless, there is increasing evidence that HRV sets the stage for more dangerous pathogens, elicits asthmatic exacerbations, severe diseases in the lower respiratory tract and even autoimmunity. The pathogenic mechanisms of HRV infections leading to such complications are still poorly understood. It is a common strategy of pathogens to manipulate our immune system in order to evade an efficient immune response. A major characteristic of HRV is a high degree of species specificity. Thus, analyzing the potential immune evasion mechanisms used by HRV will be helpful for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the common cold and may contribute to a better understanding of the human immune system as well. In this review we want to illuminate what is known about potential immune escape mechanisms used by HRV and discuss how such disturbances might lead to a suppressed and dysregulated immune competence in man.
TL;DR: The effects of a 4-year SLIT on clinical parameters but not bronchial reactivity and FEV1 last 7–8 years after its discontinuation, whereas SLIT shorter than 4 years yields proportionally less impressive results.
Abstract: Background: Subcutaneous immunotherapy for respiratory allergy has shown a long lasting efficacy after its discontinuation, whereas evidence in the case of sublingual immunotherapy
TL;DR: This study indicates that 7.5 mg of meloxicam is a safe alternative treatment for ASA-hypersensitive asthma and/or NP patients with proven hypersensitivity via oral ASA challenges.
Abstract: Background: The anti-inflammatory actions of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are thought to be due to inhibition of COX-2, whereas the side
TL;DR: The findings suggest that the GSTP1 gene is a childhood asthma susceptible gene, and the GSTM1 genes is a modifier gene of GSTP 1 for the risk of childhood asthma in the Japanese population.
Abstract: Background: Bronchial asthma is a chronic airway disorder characterized by bronchial inflammation. Oxidative stress is a key component of inflammation. Glutathione S-transferase P1
TL;DR: Several studies examining eosinophil biology have focused on delineating the molecular basis of FIP1L1/PDGRFα-fusion gene induced HES, the molecular steps involved in eosInophil recruitment in tumor-associated eos inophilia and EGID, and the role of eOSinophils in asthma.
Abstract: Eosinophils are pleiotropic multi-functional leukocytes involved in initiation and propagation of diverse inflammatory responses. Recent studies examining eosinophil biology have focused on delineatin
TL;DR: Modulation of IBH incidence is governed by altered Th1/Th2 ratio, which might be influenced by IL-10, and abrogation of IL-4 production in healthy horses born in mainland Europe may be due, at least in part, to IL- 10.
Abstract: Background: Equine insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is an immediate-type hypersensitivity reaction provoked by insect-derived allergens. Icelandic horses living in Iceland do not
TL;DR: Young age was associated with increased risk of hospitalization for anaphylaxis to foods and patients who were <18 years old were three times as likely to be hospitalized for food anaphymaxis compared to patients who are 71+ years old.
Abstract: Background: Previous epidemiologic studies of anaphylaxis have been single-institution investigations. The objective of this study was to determine the annual hospital discharge rat