International archives of allergy and immunology
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Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Nov 2001
Extraction of IgE-binding components of Helicobacter pylori by immunoblotting analysis in chronic urticaria patients.
An association between Helicobacter pylori and chronic urticaria has been suspected previously. An IgE-mediated pathway might be a possible link between H. pylori infection and chronic urticaria, and therefore we wanted to prepare an optimal H. pylori antigen to detect H. pylori-specific IgE antibodies in chronic urticaria patients. ⋯ Our findings suggest that although IgE-binding epitopes were found in H. pylori, H. pylori-specific IgE antibodies are not common in chronic urticaria, and the clinical significance of the IgE response is unclear.
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Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Jun 2001
Comparative StudyMeasurement of inflammatory mediators of mast cells and eosinophils in native nasal lavage fluid in nasal polyposis.
Nasal polyposis (NP) often coexists with asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis. Polyp histology typically shows chronic, eosinophilic inflammation. The inflammatory cell infiltrate generally includes eosinophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells and mast cells. ⋯ The present findings are consistent with the view that chronic eosinophil mucosal inflammatory disease in NP involves a self-sustaining mechanism, i.e. local release of inflammatory mediators, independent of allergen stimulation of nasal mucosa. Increased release of inflammatory mediators contributes to the development of nasal polyps, determining oedema and an increased recruitment of inflammatory cells. Besides eosinophils, mast cells also play a key role in this process.
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Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Jan 2001
Engineering, characterization and in vitro efficacy of the major peanut allergens for use in immunotherapy.
Numerous strategies have been proposed for the treatment of peanut allergies, but despite the steady advancement in our understanding of atopic immune responses and the increasing number of deaths each year from peanut anaphylaxis, there is still no safe, effective, specific therapy for the peanut-sensitive individual. Immunotherapy would be safer and more effective if the allergens could be altered to reduce their ability to initiate an allergic reaction without altering their ability to desensitize the allergic patient. ⋯ These modified allergen genes and proteins should provide a safe immunotherapeutic agent for the treatment of peanut allergy.
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Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Jan 2001
Allergic sensitization and allergen exposure during pregnancy favor the development of atopy in the neonate.
Several studies have considered that the in utero environment plays an important role in the onset of the allergic phenotype. We assessed whether allergic sensitization and allergen exposure during pregnancy favor the postnatal onset of allergy in the neonate. ⋯ Our data suggest that Th-2/Th-0 immunity present during pregnancy has a decisive impact on shaping the Th-1/Th-2 T cell profile in response to postnatal allergen exposure.
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Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Oct 2000
ReviewStructure and biology of stinging insect venom allergens.
Bees, fire ants and vespids cause insect sting allergy. These insects have unique as well as common venom allergens. Vespids, including hornets, paper wasps and yellow jackets, have common allergens. ⋯ Fire ants and vespids have one common allergen, antigen 5 of unknown biologic activity. The common venom allergens with < 70% sequence identity have barely detectable levels of antigenic cross-reactivity. Possible uses of modified allergens for immunotherapy are described.