Serum levels of total IgE and soluble CD23 in bronchial asthma

The aim of the present study was to compare, during the pollen season, serum levels of total IgE and soluble CD23 (sCD23) from patients with allergic bronchial asthma, with those from healthy subjects. Significantly higher levels of total IgE and sCD23 were found in patients with asthma compared to the control group. Both in normal controls and in asthmatic patients, a significant correlation was shown between the levels of these two molecules. In asthmatic patients, significant correlations were found for both total IgE and sCD23, with lung function measured as bronchial responsiveness to inhaled methacholine. These results suggest that in asthmatic patients, in addition to the study of total serum IgE levels, the assessment of sCD23 serum levels may be helpful in the evaluation of disease activity.     

Blood Lead Levels and Increased Bronchial Responsiveness

The immune system is one of the targets most sensitive to lead toxicity, and the association between lead exposure and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) has been published. Recent studies also reported that lead caused the development of IgE-mediated allergy. To investigate whether blood lead levels contribute to other allergic conditions, we examined the effect of blood lead on bronchial responsiveness (BR) in the general population. We performed a cross-sectional study with adults aged 19 to 58 years in a Korean community. Blood lead level and the methacholine provocation test were performed. The overall mean blood lead level was 2.9 microg/dl, and the mean BR index was 1.14. The percent of subjects with clinically diagnosed asthma was 21 (4%) and there was no difference in blood lead level with and without asthma. In the multiple regression model, the elevation of blood lead level was related to the increase of BR after adjusting for age, sex, height, smoking status, and the presence of asthma. Blood lead level was significantly associated with increased BR that came from the elevation of the IgE level with lead exposure. Lead may contribute to the increase of asthma and other allergic conditions.     

IgE-containing immune complexes in bronchial asthma]

Level of circulating immunological complexes and their immunoglobulin content have been determined in 36 asthmatic patients, including 15 patients with atopic asthma and 21 patients with infectious asthma. A technique of staphylococcal protein A binding has shown, that the level of the circulating immunological complexes is increased in patients with infectious bronchial asthma. An amount of IgE in these complexes has been increased in both atopic and infectious bronchial asthma. However, a level of IgE-containing immunological complexes has been higher in the atopic asthma, then that in infectious form of the disease. An increased IgA content in the immunological complexes has been noted in the infectious asthma.     

Prevention of allergic asthma by vaccination with transgenic rice seed expressing mite allergen: induction of allergen-specific oral tolerance without bystander suppression

This study tested the feasibility of oral immunotherapy for bronchial asthma using a newly developed subunit vaccine in which a fragment (p45-145) of mite allergen (Der p 1) containing immunodominant human and mouse T cell epitopes was encapsulated in endoplasmic reticulum-derived protein bodies of transgenic (Tg) rice seed. Allergen-specific serum immunoglobulin responses, T cell proliferation, Th1/Th2 cytokine production, airway inflammatory cell infiltration, bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) and lung histology were investigated in allergen-immunized and -challenged mice. Prophylactic oral vaccination with the Tg rice seeds clearly reduced the serum levels of allergen-specific IgE and IgG. Allergen-induced CD4(+) T cell proliferation and production of Th2 cytokines in vitro, infiltration of eosinophils, neutrophils and mononuclear cells into the airways and BHR were also inhibited by oral vaccination. The effects of the vaccine were antigen-specific immune response because the levels of specific IgE and IgG in mice immunized with Der f 2 or ovalbumin were not significantly suppressed by oral vaccination with the Der p 1 expressing Tg rice. Thus, the vaccine does not induce nonspecific bystander suppression, which has been a problem with many oral tolerance regimens. These results suggest that our novel vaccine strategy is a promising approach for allergen-specific oral immunotherapy against allergic diseases including bronchial asthma.     

The synthesis of peptide fragments of high affinity receptor Fc?RI and their binding to allergen-specific immunoglobulins E

Using computer analysis, a minimal sequence of Arg136-Asn137-Trp138-Asp139 that can bind to IgE C3 and C4 fragments was determined for the high-affinity receptor Fc?RI, a key protein of IgE-dependent allergic reactions of the immediate type. A number of peptides containing the Arg-Asn-Trp-Asp sequence were proposed as model analogues of the Fc?RI receptor. It was shown that these peptides manifested immunobiological effects and bound to IgE. The peptides were demonstrated to bind to IgE serum antibodies specific to the Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen isolated from plasma of patients with allergic bronchial asthma.     

Participation of the IgE receptor in the toxicity of blood platelets against schistosomes

Human blood platelets, incubated with the serum from patients with schistosomiasis or allergic asthma, became cytotoxic for schistosome larvae, in an allergen-specific mechanism linked to surface bound IgE on platelets. Cytotoxic factors, among which oxygen metabolites might be involved, were able to kill schistosomula through platelet-retaining filters. Flow cytometry showed that platelets bearing IgE receptors represented a subpopulation, the percentage of which significantly increased in patients with high levels of circulating IgE.     

A comparative study of toxocariasis and allergic asthma in murine models

Histopathology of the lung and total IgE in serum were compared in toxocariasis and allergic asthma murine models using BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Infection with Toxocara canis resulted in both strains of mice in marked histological changes and increased levels of total serum IgE. The ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization/challenge treatment for the induction of allergic asthma resulted in similar histological changes in BALB/c and, to a less extent, in C57BL/6 mice. Serum IgE levels of OVA-treated C57BL/6 mice were low. Histological changes observed included perivascular infiltration with eosinophils and mononuclear cells, peribronchiolitis, alveolitis and mucus production. Although these changes in addition to increased IgE production did occur in T. canis-infected C57BL/6 mice they were more pronounced in BALB/c mice. Thus, BALB/c mice appear to be the most appropriate strain of mice to perform studies on the possible connection between infection with T. canis and allergic asthma.     

Clinico-immunologic aspects of using mildronate in patients with bronchopulmonary diseases

The immunity status of 35 patients with chronic bronchitis and infectious and allergic bronchial asthma was studied. Defects in the humoral immunity were revealed. To correct the immunity status, all the patients were treated with mildronate. The immunomodulatory effect of mildronate was found in all the groups of the patients. Mildronate was shown to increase the activity of a secondary immune response and the bronchial potency in the persons with infectious and allergic asthma.     

Serum levels of soluble IL-2R, CD4 and CD8 in bronChial asthma

The aim of the present study was to compare serum levels of soluble forms of interleukin-2 receptor, CD4 and CD8, released by lymphocytes during activation of the immune system, in patients with allergic bronchial asthma, with those in healthy subjects. Significantly higher levels of soluble IL-2R and soluble CD4 were found in patients with asthma compared with the control group. In contrast, lower levels of soluble CD8 values were found in patients with asthma compared to the control group. Significant correlations were found for both sIL-2R and sCD4 and these two molecules, with lung function measured as bronchial responsiveness to inhaled methacholine. These results strengthen previous suggestions that in allergic bronchial asthma, activation of T cells plays a significant role in the disease pathogenesis.     

Immunoglobulins A, M, G, and E in children with acute viral respiratory diseases and the croup syndrome

Children with croup appearing in the presence of acute viral respiratory diseases (AVRD) show an increase in the IgM content in their blood sera during the first days of the disease followed by a decrease, and an increase in the IgG and IgE levels during the convalescence period. No essential shifts in the content of IgA have been observed. The total content of the immunoglobulins in children with croup, was lowered as compared to that in AVPD patients having no croup which is, probably, of a certain pathogenic importance. The increased content of IgE revealed in the blood sera of children with croup indicates the presence of an allergic component in this disease.     

Immunoglobulin E receptor signaling and asthma

Elevated IgE levels and increased IgE sensitization to allergens are central features of allergic asthma. IgE binds to the high-affinity Fcε receptor I (FcεRI) on mast cells, basophils, and dendritic cells and mediates the activation of these cells upon antigen-induced cross-linking of IgE-bound FcεRI. FcεRI activation proceeds through a network of signaling molecules and adaptor proteins and is negatively regulated by a number of cell surface and intracellular proteins. Therapeutic neutralization of serum IgE in moderate-to-severe allergic asthmatics reduces the frequency of asthma exacerbations through a reduction in cell surface FcεRI expression that results in decreased FcεRI activation, leading to improved asthma control. Our increasing understanding of IgE receptor signaling may lead to the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of asthma.     

The neutrophil-activating protein of Helicobacter pylori down-modulates Th2 inflammation in ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma

The Helicobacter pylori neutrophil-activating protein (HP-NAP) is able in vitro to elicit IL-12 and IL-23 production via agonistic interaction with toll-like receptor 2, and to promote Th1 polarization of allergen-specific T-cell responses. This study was aimed to assess whether systemic/intraperitoneal and/or mucosal HP-NAP administration inhibited the Th2-mediated bronchial inflammation using a mouse model of allergic asthma induced by inhaled ovalbumin (OVA). Systemic HP-NAP delivery markedly reduced the lung eosinophilia in response to repeated challenge with aerosolized OVA. Likewise, the production of IL-4, IL-5 and GM-CSF was significantly lower in the bronchoalveolar lavage of animals treated with systemic HP-NAP plus OVA than that of animals treated with OVA alone. Systemic HP-NAP also significantly resulted in both reduction of total serum IgE and increase of IL-12 plasma levels. Mucosal administration of HP-NAP was equally successful as the systemic delivery in reducing eosinophilia, IgE and Th2 cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage. However, no suppression of lung eosinophilia and bronchial Th2 cytokines was observed in toll-like receptor 2-knock-out mice following HP-NAP treatment. These results identify HP-NAP as a candidate for novel strategies of prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.     

Allergens Induce the Release of Lactoferrin by Neutrophils from Asthmatic Patients

BackgroundDespite the evidence that Lactoferrin (Lf) is involved in allergic asthma processes, it is unknown whether neutrophils can be one of the main cellular sources of this key inflammatory mediator directly in response of an IgE mediated stimulus. The present study was undertaken to analyze this question.MethodsNeutrophils from healthy subjects (n = 34) and neutrophils from allergic asthmatic patients (n = 102) were challenged in vitro with specific allergens to which the patients were sensitized, PAF, or agonist mAbs against IgE-receptors, and the levels of Lf were measured in the culture supernatant. The levels of serum IgE together with the severity of symptoms were also analyzed.ResultsLf was released into the culture supernatant of neutrophils from allergic asthmatic patients in response to allergens and PAF. This response was highly allergen-specific, and did not happen in neutrophils from healthy donors. Allergen effect was mimicked by Abs against FcεRI and galectin-3 but not by FcεRII. The levels of released Lf correlated well with the levels of serum specific IgE and severity of asthma symptoms. These observations represent a novel view of neutrophils as an important source of Lf in allergic asthma. Importantly, the levels of released Lf by neutrophils could therefore be used to evaluate disease severity in allergic asthmatic patients.     

香栓菌的平喘及抗氧化活性研究

本文对香栓菌子实体提取物的平喘作用和抗氧化活性进行研究。平喘药理实验采用鸡卵清蛋白（OVA）致敏法建立小鼠过敏性哮喘模型,灌胃给药香栓菌水提物（高240mg/kg、中120mg/kg、低60mg/kg剂量）和石油醚提取物（高24mg/kg、中12mg/kg、低6mg/kg剂量）。比较各组小鼠行为变化,检测IgE、TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6、IL-4和IFN-γ等指标,分类计数血液及支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中的嗜酸性粒细胞数量,分析肺组织病理变化;抗氧化实验采用香栓菌水提取物、乙酸乙酯提取物、氯仿提取物、石油醚提取物比较清除DPPH和ABTS自由基能力。平喘试验结果表明,香栓菌水提物中剂量（120mg/kg）能降低血中嗜酸性粒细胞（Eos）及血清中IgE含量,减少BALF中Eos,降低血清及肺组织匀浆中IL-4含量,提高IFN-γ/IL-4,减轻模型的病理改变;石油醚提取物高剂量（24mg/kg）能降低血中Eos和血清中IgE、TNF-α、IL-1、IL-6含量,减少肺组织炎症细胞浸润;抗氧化结果显示,香栓菌各层提取物均有不同程度的抗氧化能力,并呈现一定的量效关系,同时水提取物的抗氧化效果最显著。本文为深入研究香栓菌子实体对呼吸系统疾病的治疗提供了重要试验依据。     

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA): Studies on the general and specific humoral response

Serum specimens from 138 patients suffering from chronic respiratory disorders including 63 with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), 20 with suspected ABPA, 25 with pulmonary tuberculosis, 14 with bronchial asthma, 10 with chronic bronchitis and 6 with miscellaneous pulmonary conditions were studied for circulating antibodies to Aspergillus. The ammonium sulfate test was employed with an iodine-125 labeled mycelial component derived from Aspergillus fumigatus. When compared to normal controls from the same area, this test indicated that sera from 82 per cent of patients with ABPA had elevated binding titers to the radiolabeled antigenic component. Immunodiffusion using a culture filtrate antigen from A. fumigatus, revealed precipitating antibody to this fungus in 89 per cent of sera from ABPA patients. The majority of patients with ABPA demonstrated marked elevations of total serum IgE, moderate elevations of serum IgA and IgD and slightly increased levels of IgG and IgM.This study was supported in part by Research Grant AI 10940 from the National Institutes of Health and by NHLI Contract N01-HL-3-2942(B), and forms a part of the Ph.D. thesis submitted by Z.U.K. to the University of Delhi.     

Vitamin A deficiency decreases and high dietary vitamin A increases disease severity in the mouse model of asthma

The Th1/Th2 paradigm has become an important issue in the pathogenesis of asthma, characterized by normal Th1 and elevated Th2 cytokine expression. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) can produce a Th1 bias, whereas high-level dietary vitamin A can promote a Th2 bias. We used the OVA exposure mouse model to determine the contributions of vitamin A-deficient, control (4IU/g), and high-level vitamin A (250-IU/g) diets to the development of allergic airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness. VAD reduced serum IgE and IgG1 responses, pulmonary eosinophilia, and the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens, whereas the 250-IU/g diet increased serum IgE. Also, VAD blocked pulmonary hyperresponsiveness following methacholine challenge while the 250-IU/g diet exacerbated pulmonary hyperresponsiveness. In conclusion, VAD diminished and high-level dietary vitamin A enhanced the development of experimental asthma in this model system. These data suggest that excessive intake of vitamin A may increase the risk or severity of asthma in industrialized countries whereas vitamin A deficiency continues to increase mortality from infectious diseases in developing countries.     

III. Serum and sputum immunoglobulin E levels in respiratory diseases in adults

Using a solid-phase radioimmunoassay, serum IgE level was determined in 46 normal subjects, 53 patients with bronchial asthma, 44 patients with chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema, and 19 patients with restrictive lung disease. Sputum IgE was measured simultaneously in 51 of the subjects. The range of serum IgE concentration in the normal subjects was wide. It varied between 15 and 750 ng/ml with a mean of 135 ng. Asthmatic patients had significantly higher levels of serum IgE with a mean of 579 ng/ml, but only 30% fell outside the normal 95% confidence limits. Patients with chronic bronchitis, emphysema and restrictive lung diseases had normal IgE levels. There was a significant correlation between serum and sputum IgE levels.     

Effects of aluminum exposure on the allergic responses and humoral immune function in rats

This study was conducted to assess effects of aluminum (Al) exposure on allergic responsive reactions and humoral immune function in rats. Forty male Wistar rats (5 weeks old) weighed 110?C120 g were randomly allocated into four groups and were orally exposed to 0, 64.18, 128.36, and 256.72 mg/kg body weight aluminum trichloride in drinking water for 120 days. The levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA, IgM, IgE, Complement factor (C)3, and C4 in serum were determined by ELISA and nephelometric assays at the end of experiment. The results showed that the levels of IgM, C3, and C4 were lowered, and the levels of IgG, IgA, and IgE were increased in an Al-dose dependent manner. The increased in IgE level and the decreased in C3 and C4 levels indicate that Al induces allergic responses in rats; while the increased levels in IgG and IgA and the decreased level in IgM suggest that Al disorders the humoral immune function in rats.     

Analysis of lymphocyte response to chironomid midge antigens in asthmatic and non-asthmatic individuals

Chironomid antigens are currently one of the important allergens for bronchial asthma in Japan. We evaluated in vitro responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) to chironomid antigens and compared these responses with serum IgE levels. PBLs from adult asthmatic patients showed stronger proliferation in response to the extract of adult midges of Chironomus yoshimatsui compared with healthy adults. On the other hand, elevated PBL responses of child asthmatic patients to chironomid antigens were not observed. There was no significant correlation between PBL proliferation and the serum IgE level. Our results might suggest that elevated PBL proliferation in response to chironomid allergens has somehow important pathogenic roles in adult cases although this does not correlate directly with specific IgE production.     

miR-1165-3p、miR-145水平在支气管哮喘患者中的表达及其临床意义

摘要 目的：探讨微小RNA（MicroRNA,miR）-1165-3p、miR-145水平在支气管哮喘患者中的表达及其临床意义。方法：收集2021年1月-2022年3月中国人民解放军总医院第六医学中心62例支气管哮喘患者作为研究组,其中轻度急性发作27例,中度急性发作22例,重度急性发作13例。另收集同时期、同年龄段30例健康体检者作为对照组。采用实时荧光定量PCR（RT-PCR）检测各组血清miR-1165-3p、miR-145表达水平。采用Spearman相关分析不同程度支气管哮喘患者与血清miR-1165-3p、miR-145之间的相关性。通过受试者工作特征（ROC）分析血清miR-1165-3p、miR-145表达水平对不同程度支气管哮喘的诊断效能。结果：与对照组相比,研究组中白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、嗜酸性粒细胞、总免疫球蛋白E（IgE）水平显著升高,第1秒用力呼气容积（FEV₁）占预测值百分比（FEV₁%）则显著降低,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。不同严重程度支气管哮喘患者（轻度、中度、重度）血清miR-1165-3p、miR-145表达水平均高于健康对照组,支气管哮喘越严重,其表达水平越高,且组间、组内比较差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。Spearman相关分析显示,miR-1165-3p、miR-145、IL-6表达水平与哮喘严重程度呈正相关（P＜0.05）,FEV₁%与哮喘严重程度呈负相关（P＜0.05）,嗜酸性粒细胞、总IgE与哮喘严重程度无相关性（P＞0.05）。对轻度、中度、重度急性支气管哮喘发作的诊断效能显示：血清miR-1165-3p的曲线下面积（AUC）（0.95CI）分别为3.085（0.326～29.221）、0.712（0.611～0.829）、0.755（0.602～0.948）。血清miR-145的AUC（0.95CI）分别为0.833（0.708～0.979）、0.754（0.590～0.964）、0.816（0.671～0.993）。结论：血清miR-1165-3p、miR-145表达水平具有较高的诊断效能,支气管哮喘越严重,诊断的特异性越高,可作为支气管哮喘严重程度的无创诊断指标。