The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology
-
J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Apr 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialAnti-IL-5 (mepolizumab) therapy induces bone marrow eosinophil maturational arrest and decreases eosinophil progenitors in the bronchial mucosa of atopic asthmatics.
Eosinophils develop from CD34(+) progenitors under the influence of IL-5. Atopic asthmatic individuals have increased numbers of mature eosinophils and eosinophil pro-genitors within their bone marrow and bronchial mucosa. We have previously reported that anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody treatment decreases total bone marrow and bronchial mucosal eosinophil numbers in asthma. ⋯ These data suggest that anti-IL-5 therapy might induce partial maturational arrest of the eosinophil lineage in the bone marrow. The reduction in airway CD34(+)/IL-5 mRNA(+) cell numbers suggests that IL-5 might also be required for local tissue eosinophilopoiesis.
-
J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Apr 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialFexofenadine is efficacious and safe in children (aged 6-11 years) with seasonal allergic rhinitis.
This is the first prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study showing statistical improvement of an H(1)-antihistamine in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis in all symptoms throughout the entire treatment period. ⋯ The efficacy and safety of the H(1)-antihistamine fexofenadine has been confirmed in this multicenter, multinational study of children aged 6 to 11 years with seasonal allergic rhinitis.
-
J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Apr 2003
ReviewIL-13 receptors and signaling pathways: an evolving web.
IL-13 is an immunoregulatory cytokine secreted predominantly by activated T(H)2 cells. Over the past several years, it has become evident that IL-13 is a key mediator in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation. IL-13 shares many functional properties with IL-4, stemming from the fact that they share a common receptor subunit, the alpha subunit of the IL-4 receptor (IL-4Ralpha). ⋯ Given the importance of IL-13 as an effector molecule, regulation at the level of its receptors might be an important mechanism of modulating IL-13 responses and thus propagation of the allergic response. Accordingly, IL-13 is an attractive, novel therapeutic target for pharmacologic intervention in allergic disorders. This review will summarize the current understanding of the IL-13 receptors and signaling pathways, emphasizing recent observations.
-
J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Apr 2003
IgE-mediated immediate-type hypersensitivity to the pyrazolone drug propyphenazone.
Propyphenazone (1,2-dihydro-1,5-dimethyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-2-phenyl-3H-pyrazol-3-one; PP) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug frequently used as mild analgesic medicament. It belongs to the chemical group of pyrazolones. Severe adverse reactions to PP are frequent and have generally been regarded as pseudoallergic or intolerance reactions. Presently, there are no useful in vitro test systems available for the detection of antibodies directed against analgesic drugs. ⋯ Propyphenazone is a sensitizing agent in susceptible individuals and can elicit IgE-mediated anaphylaxis. By using skin tests and our ELISA system we were able to confirm Type I allergy in 51 of 53 (96%) patients in this study.