The Use of Dual-Cell-Tracker Dye Staining for the Identification and Characterization of Peanut-Specific T-Cell Subsets.

Cell-tracker fluorescent dye labeling is widely used for investigating antigen-specific immune responses in vitro and in vivo. Here we describe a development of this technique-the use of dual-cell-tracker dye staining for the identification and characterization of the responses of different T-cell subsets to peanut proteins in vitro.

Atopic dermatitis increases the effect of exposure to peanut antigen in dust on peanut sensitization and likely peanut allergy.

Background: History and severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) are risk factors for peanut allergy. Recent evidence suggests that children can become sensitized to food allergens through an impaired skin barrier. Household peanut consumption, which correlates strongly with peanut protein levels in household dust, is a risk factor for peanut allergy.

Peanut allergy: effect of environmental peanut exposure in children with filaggrin loss-of-function mutations.

Background: Filaggrin (FLG) loss-of-function mutations lead to an impaired skin barrier associated with peanut allergy. Household peanut consumption is associated with peanut allergy, and peanut allergen in household dust correlates with household peanut consumption.

Objective: We sought to determine whether environmental peanut exposure increases the odds of peanut allergy and whether FLG mutations modulate these odds.

IL-9 is a key component of memory TH cell peanut-specific responses from children with peanut allergy.

Background: Differentiation between patients with peanut allergy (PA) and those with peanut sensitization (PS) who tolerate peanut but have peanut-specific IgE, positive skin prick test responses, or both represents a significant diagnostic difficulty. Previously, gene expression microarrays were successfully used to identify biomarkers and explore immune responses during PA immunotherapy.

Objective: We aimed to characterize peanut-specific responses from patients with PA, subjects with PS, and atopic children without peanut allergy (NA children).

Peanut protein in household dust is related to household peanut consumption and is biologically active.

Background: Peanut allergy is an important public health concern. To understand the pathogenesis of peanut allergy, we need to determine the route by which children become sensitized. A dose-response between household peanut consumption (HPC; used as an indirect marker of environmental peanut exposure) and the development of peanut allergy has been observed; however, environmental peanut exposure was not directly quantified.

Distribution of peanut protein in the home environment.

Background: To halt the increase in peanut allergy, we must determine how children become sensitized to peanut. High household peanut consumption used as an indirect marker of environmental peanut exposure is associated with the development of peanut allergy.

Objective: We sought to validate a method to quantify environmental peanut exposure, to determine how peanut is transferred into the environment after peanut consumption, and to determine whether environmental peanut persists despite cleaning.

Suppression of HUVEC tissue factor synthesis by antisense oligodeoxynucleotide.

Tissue factor (TF) is an important regulator and effector molecule of coagulation. It is primary known as a cofactor for factor VIIa-mediated triggering of blood coagulation, which proceeds in a cascade of extracellular reactions, ultimately resulting in thrombin formation. In sepsis, expression of TF by activated monocytes, macrophages and endothelial cells may lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Changes in the interleukin-6/soluble interleukin-6 receptor axis in meningococcal septic shock.

Objective: Interleukin-6 is strongly associated with disease severity and outcome in meningococcal septicemia. It is known that interleukin-6 exerts many of its effects via the soluble interleukin-6 receptor. By facilitating the activity of interleukin-6, it is likely that alterations in the levels of soluble interleukin-6 receptor in septic shock could affect the severity of disease.

Technology evaluation: AVI-4126, AVI BioPharma.

AVI BioPharma is developing AVI-4126, an antisense oligonucleotide targeted to c-myc mRNA for the potential treatment of restenosis, cancer and polycystic kidney disease. AVI-4126 is currently undergoing phase II clinical trials.

Role of interleukin 6 in myocardial dysfunction of meningococcal septic shock.

Background: Myocardial failure has a central role in the complex pathophysiology of septic shock and contributes to organ failure and death. During the sepsis-induced inflammatory process, specific factors are released that depress myocardial contractile function. We aimed to identify these mediators of myocardial depression in meningococcal septic shock.

Antisense oligonucleotide therapy in cancer.

The sequencing of the human genome has highlighted some of the genes that are of importance in disease states. This has provided opportunities for the development of new therapeutics to target a wide range of human diseases. These new drugs are intended to be highly specific; antisense oligonucleotides (ONs) are one such class of new drugs.