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Copyright of Osmangazi Journal of Medicine / Osmangazi Tip Dergisi is the property of Eskisehir Osmangazi University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Simple Summary: Experimental research using atopic dermatitis (AD) models is required to develop and advance novel therapeutics in AD. Intradermal (i.d.) injections of anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in healthy dogs have been utilized as a model of AD; however, the activated inflammatory and pruritic pathways in IgE-induced skin lesions have not been characterized. This study aimed to characterize the inflammatory transcriptome of experimental acute canine IgE-induced lesions using RNA sequencing and to determine how these correlate to the transcriptome of naturally occurring human and canine acute atopic dermatitis. Acute IgE-mediated lesions had a significant upregulation of pro-, T helper-(Th)1 and Th2 genes and Th2 chemokines. Pathway analysis revealed strong significant upregulation of Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT), histamine, IL-4 and IL13 signaling. Correlation analysis to acute human AD lesions showed a significant moderate positive correlation for anti-canine-IgE 6-h samples (r = 0.53) and 24-h samples (r = 0.47). In summary, acute canine IgE-mediated skin lesions exhibit a multipolar immunological axis upregulation (Th1, Th2 and Th17) in healthy dogs, resembling acute spontaneous human AD lesions. Intradermal injection of anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in dogs grossly and histologically resemble naturally occurring atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the activated inflammatory and pruritic pathways have not been characterized. The objectives of this study were to characterize the inflammatory transcriptome of experimental acute canine IgE-induced lesions and to determine how these correlate to the transcriptome of naturally occurring human and canine acute atopic dermatitis. Biopsies were collected at 6 and 24 h after intradermal injections of anticanine-IgE antibodies to eight healthy male castrated Beagles; healthy and saline-injected skin served as controls. We extracted total RNA from skin biopsies and analyzed transcriptome using RNA-sequencing. Gene expressions of IgE-induced biopsies were compared to that of controls from the same subject (1.5-fold change, p-adjusted value ≤ 0.05). Acute IgE-mediated lesions had a significant upregulation of pro-inflammatory (e.g., LTB, IL-1B, PTX3, CCL2, IL6, IL8, IL18), T helper-(Th)1/IFNγ signal (e.g., STAT-1, OASL, MX-1, CXCL10, IL-12A) and Th2 (e.g., IL4R, IL5, IL13, IL33 and POSTN) genes, as well as Th2 chemokines (CCL17, CCL24). Pathway analysis revealed strong significant upregulation of JAK-STAT, histamine, IL-4 and IL13 signaling. Spearman correlation coefficient for the shared DEGs between canine anti-canine-IgE and human AD samples revealed a significant moderate positive correlation for anti-canine-IgE 6-h samples (r = 0.53) and 24-h samples (r = 0.47). In conclusion, acute canine IgE-mediated skin lesions exhibit a multipolar immunological axis upregulation (Th1, Th2 and Th17) in healthy dogs, resembling acute spontaneous human AD lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intradermal injection of anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in dogs grossly and histologically resemble naturally occurring atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the activated inflammatory and pruritic pathways have not been characterized. The objectives of this study were to characterize the inflammatory transcriptome of experimental acute canine IgE-induced lesions and to determine how these correlate to the transcriptome of naturally occurring human and canine acute atopic dermatitis. Biopsies were collected at 6 and 24 h after intradermal injections of anticanine-IgE antibodies to eight healthy male castrated Beagles; healthy and saline-injected skin served as controls. We extracted total RNA from skin biopsies and analyzed transcriptome using RNA-sequencing. Gene expressions of IgE-induced biopsies were compared to that of controls from the same subject (1.5-fold change, p-adjusted value ≤ 0.05). Acute IgE-mediated lesions had a significant upregulation of pro-inflammatory (e.g., LTB, IL-1B, PTX3, CCL2, IL6, IL8, IL18), T helper-(Th)1/IFNγ signal (e.g., STAT-1, OASL, MX-1, CXCL10, IL-12A) and Th2 (e.g., IL4R, IL5, IL13, IL33 and POSTN) genes, as well as Th2 chemokines (CCL17, CCL24). Pathway analysis revealed strong significant upregulation of JAK-STAT, histamine, IL-4 and IL13 signaling. Spearman correlation coefficient for the shared DEGs between canine anti-canine-IgE and human AD samples revealed a significant moderate positive correlation for anti-canine-IgE 6-h samples (r = 0.53) and 24-h samples (r = 0.47). In conclusion, acute canine IgE-mediated skin lesions exhibit a multipolar immunological axis upregulation (Th1, Th2 and Th17) in healthy dogs, resembling acute spontaneous human AD lesions.

Background: Numerous patient‐based studies have highlighted the protective role of immunoglobulin E‐mediated allergic diseases on glioblastoma (GBM) susceptibility and prognosis. However, the mechanisms behind this observation remain elusive. Our objective was to establish a preclinical model able to recapitulate this phenomenon and investigate the role of immunity underlying such protection. Methods: An immunocompetent mouse model of allergic airway inflammation (AAI) was initiated before intracranial implantation of mouse GBM cells (GL261). RAG1‐KO mice served to assess tumor growth in a model deficient for adaptive immunity. Tumor development was monitored by MRI. Microglia were isolated for functional analyses and RNA‐sequencing. Peripheral as well as tumor‐associated immune cells were characterized by flow cytometry. The impact of allergy‐related microglial genes on patient survival was analyzed by Cox regression using publicly available datasets. Results: We found that allergy establishment in mice delayed tumor engraftment in the brain and reduced tumor growth resulting in increased mouse survival. AAI induced a transcriptional reprogramming of microglia towards a pro‐inflammatory‐like state, uncovering a microglia gene signature, which correlated with limited local immunosuppression in glioma patients. AAI increased effector memory T‐cells in the circulation as well as tumor‐infiltrating CD4+T‐cells. The survival benefit conferred by AAI was lost in mice devoid of adaptive immunity. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that AAI limits both tumor take and progression in mice, providing a preclinical model to study the impact of allergy on GBM susceptibility and prognosis, respectively. We identify a potentiation of local and adaptive systemic immunity, suggesting a reciprocal crosstalk that orchestrates allergy‐induced immune protection against GBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory disease that may require biological therapy. Omalizumab is an anti-IgE biologic that was recently approved by the FDA and Health Canada for use in severe CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) recalcitrant to intranasal corticosteroids. Dosing is based on weight and pre-treatment serum IgE, with elevated levels of the latter being an indication for biologic treatment according to EPOS and EUFOREA guidelines. The goal of this study was to identify variables that predict IgE-high type 2 inflammation and serve as indicators for biologic treatment in CRS. Methods Patients ≥ 19 yo diagnosed with CRS undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery were included retrospectively. Demographics, past medical history, preoperative blood work, Lund-Mackay (LM), Lund Kennedy (LK), and SNOT-22 scores were extracted. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. Model superiority was based on Nagelkerke R2 scores and receiver operating characteristic curves. Results Sixty-five patients, average age 49.96 ± 13.59 years, were included. Sixty-one binary logistic regression models for elevated serum IgE were created. Among the top 3 models, the best model had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of 82.1, 69.2, 80.0, and 72.0. All performance measures except sensitivity exceeded the Canadian Biologics Guideline model. Serum eosinophils ≥ 300 cell/uL, CRSwNP and LM ≥ 17 increased the odds of elevated IgE. Conclusions IgE-high type-2 inflammation can be predicted by a model that includes eosinophil ≥ 300 cell/uL, CRSwNP, LM ≥ 17, asthma diagnosis and SNOT-22 ≥ 40. Patients meeting these parameters have a high pretest probability for elevated IgE and would benefit from IgE serology to determine qualification for omalizumab. This could reduce unwarranted IgE serology in patients with CRSwNP but also target a patient population for further workup that will lead to optimization of resource allocation and improve healthcare equity in rural and remote areas within Canada.

Allergen-specific immunoglobulin-E (As-IgE) in blood donors (BD) can be transferred to transfusion recipients via plasma-containing blood components (PCBC) and sensitize recipient's mast cells. These cells can activate upon allergen exposure and cause allergy. This study aimed to assess sensitization profiles against an array of allergens in BD to identify donors with As-IgE and explore if this IgE can lead to allergic symptoms in recipients. Furthermore IgE sensitization was characterized in donors of PCBC that were associated with allergic transfusion reactions (ATR) in recipients. Serum samples from 300 randomly selected BD (RSBD) and 40 BD selected following 26 ATRs in patients transfused with PCBC from these donors were collected. IgE sensitization was tested by a line-blot enzyme-immunoassay and an ELISA-based IgE multiplex assay. Thirty-eight per cent of the RSBD had IgE to one or several allergens. High IgE levels with a potential to transfer to recipients of PCBC were also detected in some BD. Investigation of 2/3 of the PCBC from sensitized RSBD revealed no reports of ATR in recipients. IgE testing of donors associated with an ATR showed sensitization in 65% of the cases. We conclude that IgE testing of BD can reveal sensitization to different allergens, even though persons with severe allergies are not accepted as BD. The sensitization frequency appears higher in BD of PCBC that led to an ATR compared to the RSBD. No reports on ATR were found for PCBC from sensitized RSBD. More studies are needed to address the role of IgE-sensitization of BD in ATR., (© 2024 The Author(s). Scandinavian Journal of Immunology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Scandinavian Foundation for Immunology.)

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory disease that may require biological therapy. Omalizumab is an anti-IgE biologic that was recently approved by the FDA and Health Canada for use in severe CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) recalcitrant to intranasal corticosteroids. Dosing is based on weight and pre-treatment serum IgE, with elevated levels of the latter being an indication for biologic treatment according to EPOS and EUFOREA guidelines. The goal of this study was to identify variables that predict IgE-high type 2 inflammation and serve as indicators for biologic treatment in CRS. Methods: Patients ≥ 19 yo diagnosed with CRS undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery were included retrospectively. Demographics, past medical history, preoperative blood work, Lund-Mackay (LM), Lund Kennedy (LK), and SNOT-22 scores were extracted. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. Model superiority was based on Nagelkerke R2 scores and receiver operating characteristic curves. Results: Sixty-five patients, average age 49.96 ± 13.59 years, were included. Sixty-one binary logistic regression models for elevated serum IgE were created. Among the top 3 models, the best model had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of 82.1, 69.2, 80.0, and 72.0. All performance measures except sensitivity exceeded the Canadian Biologics Guideline model. Serum eosinophils ≥ 300 cell/uL, CRSwNP and LM ≥ 17 increased the odds of elevated IgE. Conclusions: IgE-high type-2 inflammation can be predicted by a model that includes eosinophil ≥ 300 cell/uL, CRSwNP, LM ≥ 17, asthma diagnosis and SNOT-22 ≥ 40. Patients meeting these parameters have a high pretest probability for elevated IgE and would benefit from IgE serology to determine qualification for omalizumab. This could reduce unwarranted IgE serology in patients with CRSwNP but also target a patient population for further workup that will lead to optimization of resource allocation and improve healthcare equity in rural and remote areas within Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gaceta Médica de Caracas is the property of Academia Nacional de Medicina and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) consists of five stages ranging from the acute stage (pulmonary infiltrate, eosinophilia, and increased total Immunoglobulin-E [IgE]) to pulmonary fibrosis. Our patients were diagnosed as Stage IV (corticosteroid dependent) ABPA, in which treatment with systemic corticosteroids cannot be discontinued as symptoms worsen after discontinuation of oral corticosteroids. Omalizumab is a humanized recombinant, monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to IgE to inhibit the immune response to an allergen. It forms immune complexes which not only lower the level of free IgE antibody, but also serve as an allergen buffer, even in cases of markedly high serum IgE >1000 IU/ml in ABPA. In this article, we report three cases of (Stage IV) corticosteroid-dependent ABPA with poor clinical response even after effective treatment with antifungal therapy and courses of corticosteroids (>3 exacerbations/year). After the start of injection omalizumab, the three patients have experienced significant and sustained clinical improvement and improved quality of life with low-dose prednisolone 5 mg every alternate day. The dose of systemic corticosteroids was reduced by 50% in the 1st year and by 70% in the 2nd year although lung function failed to improve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Allergic rhinitis is an immunoglobulin-E (Ig-E)-mediated response driven by type 2 helper T cells. Hesperidin and thymol are biological agents that possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of hesperidin and thymol in rats with ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis.Methods: Thirty adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into five groups, each containing six animals. The first group constituted the negative control group, while the remaining groups were exposed to an ovalbumin-induced model of allergic rhinitis. In the provocation stage, 4 mL/kg saline was administered to the positive control group, 10 mg/kg desloratadine to the reference group, 100 mg/kg hesperidin to the hesperidin group, and 20 mg/kg thymol to the thymol group, all by gastric lavage for 7 days. Nasal symptoms were scored on day 22. Rats were then sacrificed, and intracardiac blood specimens were collected to measure plasma total Ig-E, IL-5, IL-13, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total oxidant status (TOS) levels. Nasal tissues were extracted for histopathological and immunochemical examination.Results: Nasal symptom scores were highest in the positive control group, while hesperidin and thymol ameliorated these symptoms to the same extent as desloratadine. Ig-E, IL-5, IL-13, and TOS levels increased, while TAC levels decreased significantly in the allergic rhinitis group compared to the other groups. Significant improvement in these parameters was observed in both the hesperidin and thymol groups. At histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of the nasal cavity, severe allergic inflammation and severe TNF-α expression was determined in rats from the allergic rhinitis group. Mild inflammatory changes and mild TNF-α expression were observed in all three treatment groups.Conclusion: Both hesperidin and thymol were effective in suppressing allergic symptoms and inflammation in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propofol is an anesthetic agent suspended in an emulsion system that includes egg yolk lecithin and soybean oil, because of which, there is concern about the use of propofol in patients allergic to these substances. We examined the association between propofol administration and incidence of adverse events in dogs with allergy to egg yolk lecithin and soybean oil. On the basis of the findings of an allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) test, 14 dogs with high levels (high-IgE group) and 7 dogs with low levels (normal-IgE group) of IgE were selected. Following intravenous administration of propofol, the incidence of anaphylactic reactions and plasma histamine concentrations under general anesthesia maintained with isoflurane throughout surgery were compared between the two groups. The frequency of anaphylactic reactions and plasma histamine concentrations were compared by the chi-square test and Student t-test, respectively. The statistical significance for both tests was set at P<0.05. In the high- and normal-IgE groups, the average frequencies of anaphylactic reactions after propofol administration were 21.4 and 14.3%, and the mean plasma histamine concentrations were 167.9 ± 94.5 nM and 65.7 ± 40.3 nM, respectively. Animals of neither groups experienced shock-like symptoms. These results revealed that propofol might be relatively safe, although careful perioperative anesthesia monitoring and standby protocols are required when using propofol in dogs with a history of allergic diseases or high chicken- or soybean-specific IgE levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The clinical syndrome of atopy is associated v.ith the production of immunoglobulin E (lgE) in response to antigenic stimulation as part of a type I hypersensitivity reaction. Since early prevention is regarded as an important cornerstone in the management of atopic diseases, the identification of reliable markers such as IgE and interleukin 4 (IL-4) in detecting individuals at risk are of major interest. Objective To determine whether cord blood IgE and IL-4 levels can be used as an predictor of atopy in newborns with a family history of atopic diseases. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study on healthy-term newborns in the neonatal ward at R.D. Kandou Hospital from June to August 2010. A total of 50 healthy newborns in atopic and non-atopic groups were examined for cord blood IgE and IIA levels. Result The mean cord blood ILA levels in the atopic and non-atopic groups were 0.1 μg/mL (SD 0.08) and 0.1 μg/mL (SD 0.16) (P=0.359), respectively. The mean cord blood IgE levels in the atopic and non-atopic groups were 2.2 IU/mL (SD 1.98) and 0.5 IU/mL (SD 0.29) (P

Rapid and high-throughput analytical techniques for IgE that requires a small serum amount are very important, especially for pediatric patients. In these patients, blood is collected from veins, which is painful compared to fingertip blood collection. Herein, a novel microfluidic system capable of high-throughput parallel analyses of allergen-specific IgE from small amounts of patient serum was successfully developed. A six-plex immunoassay was constructed within a microfluidic chip, and the entire system was validated using samples from clinical patients. Major antigens from house dust mite ( Dermatophagoides farinae and Blomia tropicalis ), cat ( Felis domesticus ), fungus ( Cladosporium herbarum ), ragweed ( Humulus japonicas ), and tree pollen ( Platanus acerifolia ) were used as analysis targets. Sample consumption decreased to <0.05 µL compared with the 480 µL serum consumption by fluoroenzyme immunoassay (UniCAP system Pharmacia Diagnostics AB, Uppsala, Sweden), the 50 µL serum consumption by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA), or the 1.5 µL serum consumption by conventional protein chip analysis. Analysis duration, reagent cost, and total cost for each measurement were also considerably decreased. The assay showed good accuracy and sensitivity toward the clinical samples. A significant correlation of allergen-specific IgE levels was found among the microfluidic assay, UniCAP system, and ELISA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin prick test (SPT) and fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA) are widely used for the diagnosis of Immunoglobulin-E (IgE)-mediated allergic disease. Basophil activation test (BAT) could obviate disadvantages of SPT and FEIA. However, it is not known whether BAT gives similar results as SPT or FEIA for aeroallergens. Objectives: In this study, we compared the results of SPT, BAT and FEIA for different aeroallergens. Methods: We performed BAT, SPT and FEIA in 41 atopic subjects (symptomatic and with positive SPT for at least 1 of 9 common aeroallergens) and 31 non-atopic subjects (asymptomatic and with negative SPT). Results: Correlations between SPT and BAT, SPT and FEIA, and BAT and FEIA results were statistically significant but imperfect. Using SPT as the "gold standard", BAT and FEIA were similar in sensitivity. However, BAT had lower specificity than FEIA. False positive (BATposSPTneg) results were frequent in those atopic subjects who were allergic by SPT to a different allergen and rare in non-atopic subjects. The false positivity in atopic subjects was due in part to high levels of serum Total-IgE (T-IgE) levels in atopic individuals that lead to basophil activation upon staining with fluorochrome-labeled anti-IgE. Conclusion: As an alternative to SPT in persons allergic to aeroallergens, BAT in its present form is useful for distinguishing atopic from non-atopic persons. However, BAT in its present form is less specific than FEIA when determining the allergen which a patient is allergic to. This is due to IgE staining-induced activation of atopic person's basophils and/or nonspecific hyperreactivity of atopic person's basophils. INSET: Additional material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: N-glycans from plant and invertebrate allergens can induce extensive immunoglobulin-E (IgE) cross-reactivity in vitro. IgE antibodies against these N-glycans, also termed cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants or CCDs, are prevalent in alcohol drinkers. This study investigated the prevalence and biological significance of IgE antibodies to N-glycans from wine glycoproteins in heavy drinkers. A structured questionnaire, skin prick tests, serum IgE levels, IgE-immunoblotting to wine extracts, and basophil activation tests were used to characterize 20 heavy drinkers and 10 control subjects. Eleven heavy drinkers (55%) showed IgE binding to proteins in wine extracts. The proteins were identified by mass spectrometry as grape-derived vacuolar invertase and thaumatin-like protein. Immunoblot reactivity was closely associated with the presence of IgE to CCDs and was inhibited by preincubation with a glycoconjugate containing bromelain-type N-glycans. The same conjugate, CCD-bearing allergens, and wine extracts activated basophils in patients with high-titer CCD-specific IgE but not in healthy controls. There was no relationship between immunoblot reactivity and consumption of any specific type of wine. No patient reported symptoms of hypersensitivity to Hymenoptera venom, food, or wine. In conclusion, heavy drinkers frequently show IgE reactivity to the N-glycans of wine glycoproteins. Glycans and wine glycoprotein extracts can induce basophil activation in sensitized alcoholics. The clinical significance of these findings remains to be elucidated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Asthma causes a substantial burden of morbidity and mortality, affecting 300 million people worldwide - a figure predicted to increase to 400 million by 2025. Despite the availability of a variety of treatment options and detailed treatment guidelines, many patients with asthma, and in particular those with severe persistent asthma, remain inadequately controlled. Approximately 50-80% of severe asthma has an allergic component, with immunoglobulin E (IgE) playing a role in the underlying allergic inflammatory cascade. Omalizumab is a humanised monoclonal anti-IgE antibody that targets IgE and partially inhibits the inflammatory cascade. Clinical trials have demonstrated that omalizumab added to standard asthma therapy reduces exacerbations and emergency visits with concomitant improvements in asthma control and quality of life in patients with moderate-to-severe and severe persistent allergic (IgE-mediated) asthma. Add-on omalizumab is indicated for the treatment of patients with inadequately controlled moderate-to-severe (US label) and severe (EU label) persistent allergic asthma despite treatment with high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (and in the EU, high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus a long-acting β2-agonist). Within this highly-targeted patient population, analyses have been unable to identify pre-treatment clinical characteristics that are predictive of a greater response to omalizumab. In contrast, assessment of response to omalizumab following 16 weeks of treatment appears to be reliably judged by physicians in clinical trial settings and may be a feasible means of selecting patients who should continue treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study characterizes the mechanism by which the seed extract of Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) decreases the mast cell-mediated immediate type hypersensitivity reaction. The immediate type hypersensitivity reaction is involved in many allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. Moringa oleifera, a shrub widely used in the traditional medicine in India, has been reported to possess anti-cancer, hypotensive, anti-arthritic, and anti-inflammatory activities. In the present study, the effects of the ethanolic extract of seeds of Moringa oleifera (MOEE-herbal remedy) on systemic and local anaphylaxis were investigated. The potential anti-anaphylactic effect of MOEE was studied in a mouse model of Compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic shock. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis activated by anti IgE-antibody was also used to assess the effect of MOEE. In addition, rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) were used to investigate the effect of MOEE on histamine release induced by compound 48/80. When administered 1 hr before 48/80 injection, MOEE at doses of 0.001-1.000 g/kg completely inhibited the inducible induced anaphylactic shock. MOEE significantly inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis activated by anti-IgE antibody at a dose of 1 g/kg. When MOEE extract was given as pretreatment at concentrations ranging 0.1-100 mg/ml, the histamine release from the mast cells that was induced by the 48/80 was reduced in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest a potential role for MOEE as a source of anti-anaphylactic agents for use in allergic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) measurements are used to help identify causative allergenic agents and to determine the degree of sensitization to facilitate treatment decisions. We examined the performance of a new third-generation chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay for allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) on the continuous random access Immulite® 2000 system. Methods: Detection limit and dilutional linearity were determined. Within-run and total precision were assessed according to the NCCLS EP5 guideline. Interlaboratory comparison of the new Immulite 2000 third-generation allergen-specific IgE assay was performed, as well as intermethod comparison against the Pharmacia FEIA, a second-generation assay. Results: The detection limit was <0.1 kU/l. Dilutional linearity held from 100 down to 0.2 kU/l. Regression analysis of the interlaboratory comparison results yielded: Immulite 2000(Laboratory 1)=1.07 Immulite 2000(Laboratory 2)+0.18 kU/l; r =0.98, n =3588 results. Intermethod comparison showed the following: Immulite 2000=0.83 (Pharmacia FEIA)+0.42 kU/l; r =0.79, n =512 results. Bland–Altman analysis of the interlaboratory and intermethod comparisons indicated no systematic bias. Conclusions: We confirmed the reported performance characteristics of the third-generation sIgE assay and found reasonably good interlaboratory and intermethod agreement. The extended range capability of the third-generation assay provides a new tool for investigating cutoffs and trends in childhood allergy disease progression at concentrations <0.35 kU/l. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIAn) is a leading cause of physical allergies. However, the mechanisms involved in the development of FDEIAn are not yet clearly understood. In this study, to investigate the leakage of allergen from the gastrointestinal tract into the circulation, lysozyme (LYZ)-sensitized B10.A mice, which have been shown to exhibit an especially high concentration of plasma antigen-specific immunoglobulin-E (IgE) by sensitization of LYZ as allergen in the white of hens' eggs, and unsensitized mice were made to run on a treadmill after oral LYZ ingestion. Resting mice as well as sensitized and unsensitized animals were used as controls. As a result of the sensitization, total IgE concentration, and levels of LYZ-specific IgE and IgG significantly increased. The running time until exhaustion decreased in the sensitized mice compared with that in the unsensitized mice. Both the sensitization and exercise affected the increase in gastrointestinal leakage of LYZ, which was estimated by immunohistochemical staining of the LYZ antibody in the liver, after oral LYZ ingestion. The exercised sensitized mice were especially closely observed. After oral LYZ ingestion, damage to the villi in the small intestine also occurred following exercise in sensitized mice. Damage to the villi was also noted to have occurred slightly in the resting sensitized mice. These results suggest that allergen leakage from the intestinal tract into the circulation was strongly induced by exercise in the LYZ-sensitized mice and that the mechanisms of FDEIAn might be related to gastrointestinal leakage of allergen due to gastrointestinal mucosal lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe first encounters with allergens seem to influence the development of allergy. Food antigens have been detected in sera as free antigens and in complexes with IgG but less is known about the presence of inhalant allergens. ObjectiveTo investigate the presence of the major cat allergen Fel d 1, either as free allergen and/or in complexes with IgG and IgE antibodies in sera from atopic children. MethodsSerum samples from 33 cat allergic asthmatic children, 7–17 years old, and 15 non-allergic controls were investigated for the presence of Fel d 1 by ELISA (detection limit 0.13 μg/L). To detect immune complexes (IC), the IgG fraction from Fel d 1 positive sera was purified by affinity chromatography. Purified and non-absorbed material was then analysed for allergen content and specific IgG antibody levels. Immune complexes with Fel d 1 IgE were detected by coupling anti-Fel d 1 MoAb to paramagnetic particles. ResultsFel d 1 was detected (0.15–1.8 μg/L) in 23 of the 33 patients (70%) but not from any of the controls. Eighteen samples contained IgE-Fel d 1 IC and two of four tested samples contained Fel d 1 in the IgG fraction. Electrophoresis and Western blotting of IgG purified material using anti-Fel d 1 MoAb corroborated the presence of IgG-Fel d 1 IC. ConclusionFree-circulating inhalant allergen and IC with allergens may contribute to maintaining immune responsiveness and sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Langerhans cells appear to be critical for IgE-mediated allergen capture and presentation in human atopic dermatitis. The present study sought to determine whether epidermal (i.e Langerhans cells) and dermal dendritic cells in the skin of dogs with atopic dermatitis are hyperplastic and expressed surface IgE. Frozen sections of lesional or nonlesional atopic and normal control canine skin were immunostained with CD1a-, CD1c-, and IgE-specific monoclonal antibodies. The enumeration of cells was performed by morphometry in both the epidermis and the dermis. Cell counts were compared with each individual's total serum IgE levels. Higher numbers of epidermal and dermal dendritic cells were present in atopic dogs than in normal control animals. Epidermal Langerhans cell counts were significantly higher in lesional than in nonlesional atopic specimens. IgE dendritic cells were observed in lesional atopic epidermis and dermis, and nonlesional atopic dermis, but not in normal control skin specimens. The percentages of IgE dendritic cells were correlated with each patient's total serum IgE levels. These results demonstrate dendritic cell hyperplasia and IgE expression in canine atopic dermatitis. Increased epidermal Langerhans cell counts in lesional specimens suggest an epidermal allergen contact in canine atopic dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied serum IgE concentration by the PRIST® method in 157 adolescents (71 boys) aged 15-17 years. This group was randomly drawn from a larger unselected population of 708 young people. The geometric mean IgE for the 157 subjects was 37.6 U/ml. After careful exclusion 77 subjects without any signs or symptoms of atopy were found. The mean IgE for them was 16.8 U/ml and the upper reference limit, calculated as mean ± 2SD of the logarithmic value, was 160 U/ml. Nineteen per cent of the population had an IgE concentration higher than 160 U/ml and 30% had a value below 20 U/ml. Positive skin test reactions were strongly associated with increased IgE values. Atopic eczema and allergic rhinitis also raised the IgE level, but the effect of bronchial wheezing was insignificant. We conclude that IgE concentrations above 160 U/ml during adolescence suggest atopy and correlate with positive skin test reactivity and for clinical symptoms. An IgE value below 20 U/ml almost certainly excludes the possibility of positive skin reactions and somewhat less certainly the possibility that symptoms are due to atopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]