[Delayed appearance of symptoms in immediate hypersensitivity: type I sensitization to galactose-α-1,3-galactose].

Delayed immediate-type allergy to innards and red meat can be mediated by IgE antibodies to galactose-α-1, 3-galactose (α-Gal). Apart from humans and Old World apes, α-Gal is ubiquitously expressed in glycoproteins and glycolipids. Thus, as α-Gal is immunogenic for humans, they can be easily sensitized even through a tick bite.

Effective T-cell recall responses require the taurine transporter Taut.

T-cell activation and the subsequent transformation of activated T cells into T-cell blasts require profound changes in cell volume. However, the impact of cell volume regulation for T-cell immunology has not been characterized. Here we studied the role of the cell-volume regulating osmolyte transporter Taut for T-cell activation in Taut-deficient mice.

Neuroprotective effects of a taurine-containing irrigation solution for vitrectomy.

Background: During pars plana vitrectomy, the retina is exposed to several iatrogenic risk factors, including excitotoxicity. A taurine-containing irrigation solution for pars plana vitrectomy (PURI PROTECT) has been developed and is claimed to have neuroprotective properties.

Methods: Retinal ganglion cells (RGC-5) and retinal whole mounts were incubated in standard irrigation solution (SIS) and SIS supplemented with 3 mM taurine (SIS-taurine).

The cross-linked biopolymer hyaluronic acid as an artificial vitreous substitute.

Purpose: Biopolymers are promising substances in the development of a new vitreous substitute to overcome the drawbacks associated with current hydrophobic tamponade materials.

Methods: Different hydrogels were assembled by cross-linking hyaluronic acid either with adipic dihydrazide (ADH) by carboxylation with N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDCI) after hydrazation or by photocrosslinking with UV-light and N-vinyl-pyrrolidinone. The refractive index and rheologic properties of the obtained gels were investigated.

Modified plastic compression of collagen hydrogels provides an ideal matrix for clinically applicable skin substitutes.

Tissue engineering of clinically applicable dermo-epidermal skin substitutes is crucially dependent on the three-dimensional extracellular matrix, supporting the biological function of epidermal and dermal cells. This matrix essentially determines the mechanical stability of these substitutes to allow for safe and convenient surgical handling. Collagen type I hydrogels yield excellent biological functionality, but their mechanical weakness and their tendency to contract and degrade does not allow producing clinically applicable transplants of larger sizes.

ROS-induced ATF3 causes susceptibility to secondary infections during sepsis-associated immunosuppression.

Sepsis, sepsis-induced hyperinflammation and subsequent sepsis-associated immunosuppression (SAIS) are important causes of death. Here we show in humans that the loss of the major reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, glutathione (GSH), during SAIS directly correlates with an increase in the expression of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3). In endotoxin-stimulated monocytes, ROS stress strongly superinduced NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2)-dependent ATF3.

Innate immune sensing 2.0 - from linear activation pathways to fine tuned and regulated innate immune networks.

The innate immune system is based on pathogen recognition receptors that bind conserved microbial molecular structures, so called pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). The characterization of the innate immune system was long based on a linear step-wise concept of recognition, activation pathways and effector defense mechanisms. Only more recently it was recognized that the innate immune system needs regulatory elements, sideways and crosstalks that allows it to fine tune and adapt its response.

CXCL16 and CXCR6 are upregulated in psoriasis and mediate cutaneous recruitment of human CD8+ T cells.

Psoriatic skin lesions are characterized by an inflammatory infiltrate, consisting of dendritic cells, monocytes, and both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes. Although the chemokines involved in the migration of CD4(+) T cells into psoriatic skin are well characterized, those regulating CD8(+) T-cell recruitment are less understood. We found that the percentages of peripheral blood CD8(+) T cells expressing CXCR6 were higher in psoriatic patients than in healthy or atopic individuals.

Matriderm® 1 mm versus Integra® Single Layer 1.3 mm for one-step closure of full thickness skin defects: a comparative experimental study in rats.

Purpose: Dermal templates, such as Matriderm® and Integra®, are widely used in plastic and reconstructive surgery, often as two-step procedures. A recent development is the application of thin dermal templates covered with split thickness skin grafts in one-step procedures. In this experimental study, we compare the two thin matrices Matriderm® 1 mm and Integra® Single Layer in a one-step procedure with particular focus on neodermis formation.

Engineering melanoma progression in a humanized environment in vivo.

To overcome the lack of effective therapeutics for aggressive melanoma, new research models closely resembling the human disease are required. Here we report the development of a fully orthotopic, humanized in vivo model for melanoma, faithfully recapitulating human disease initiation and progression. To this end, human melanoma cells were seeded into engineered human dermo-epidermal skin substitutes.

Interleukin 23 expression in pyoderma gangrenosum and targeted therapy with ustekinumab.

Background: Interleukin (IL)-23 is involved in the pathogenesis of the chronic inflammatory Crohn disease. Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is often associated with and can even be the first manifestation of this disease and has abundant neutrophilic infiltration. Because IL-23 plays a critical role in driving inflammation associated with IL-17 production and especially neutrophil recruitment, we suspect that PG might be driven by a pathogenetic mechanism similar to that of inflammatory bowel diseases or psoriasis.

Efficacy and safety of omalizumab in patients with chronic urticaria who exhibit IgE against thyroperoxidase.

Background: A subgroup of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CU) exhibits IgE antibodies directed against autoantigens, such as thyroperoxidase (TPO). We conducted this study to investigate whether such patients with CU with IgE against TPO benefit from treatment with omalizumab, a humanized anti-IgE mAb licensed for the treatment of severe persistent allergic (IgE-mediated) asthma.

Objectives: We sought to assess the efficacy of omalizumab treatment in patients with CU with IgE autoantibodies against TPO.

Quality-of-life in wasp venom allergy - validation of the German version of the "Vespid Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire" (VQLQ-d).

Background: Little is known about the quality of life of patients who are allergic to insect venom. This fact is due to the lack of specific instruments assessing the interaction of type 1 allergy and its psychological burden.

Patients And Methods: The only established questionnaire on health-related quality-of-life in patients with wasp venom allergies is the "Vespid Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire" (VQLQ).

Subcutaneous immunotherapy with a depigmented polymerized birch pollen extract--a new therapeutic option for patients with atopic dermatitis.

Background: Birch pollen is an important outdoor allergen able to aggravate symptoms in atopic dermatitis (AD). Specific immunotherapy (SIT), an established procedure for allergic airway diseases, might also represent an attractive therapeutic option for the causal treatment of allergen-triggered cutaneous symptoms in these patients. Studies with house dust mite SIT have already shown beneficial effects in AD patients, whereas the safety and efficacy of SIT with birch pollen extract in AD patients have not been studied so far.

Osmotic expanders in children: no filling--no control--no problem?

Background: Self-filling, hydrogel-based osmotic tissue expanders have been successfully used for several years, mainly in adult patients. We wanted to test this novel device in pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Material And Methods: Between November 2004 and September 2009, we implanted 53 osmotic tissue expanders following standard surgical principles in a total of 30 children and adolescents with burn scars, congenital nevi, alopecia, or foot deformities.

Novel treatment for massive lower extremity avulsion injuries in children: slow, but effective with good cosmesis.

Background: Extended avulsion injuries are associated with significant loss of skin and subcutaneous fat, leaving the reconstructive surgeon with the challenge of substituting all tissues lost in the best possible way. We wanted to test whether the combined use of a Vacuum Assisted Closure system (VAC) and Integra Dermal Regeneration Template (IDRT) matched the required treatment profile encompassing initial control of infection, remodeling of body contours, and reconstruction of near normal skin.

Materials And Methods: 4 children with massive lower extremity avulsion injuries were treated with early necrosectomy, VAC application for 3-5 weeks for wound cleansing and wound bed conditioning, subsequent implantation of IDRT, and finally autologous split thickness skin grafting (STSG) for definitive wound closure.

Immune evasion by Yersinia enterocolitica: differential targeting of dendritic cell subpopulations in vivo.

CD4(+) T cells are essential for the control of Yersinia enterocolitica (Ye) infection in mice. Ye can inhibit dendritic cell (DC) antigen uptake and degradation, maturation and subsequently T-cell activation in vitro. Here we investigated the effects of Ye infection on splenic DCs and T-cell proliferation in an experimental mouse infection model.

Skingineering I: engineering porcine dermo-epidermal skin analogues for autologous transplantation in a large animal model.

Background: Extended full thickness skin defects still represent a considerable therapeutic challenge as ideal strategies for definitive autologous coverage are still not available. Tissue engineering of whole skin represents an equally attractive and ambitious novel approach. We have recently shown that laboratory-grown human skin analogues with near normal skin anatomy can be successfully transplanted on immuno-incompetent rats.

Determining the origin of cells in tissue engineered skin substitutes: a pilot study employing in situ hybridization.

Background: Definitive and high-quality coverage of large and, in particular, massive skin defects remains a significant challenge in burn as well as plastic and reconstructive surgery because of donor site shortage. A novel and promising approach to overcome these problems is tissue engineering of skin. Clearly, before eventual clinical application, engineered skin substitutes of human origin must be grafted and then evaluated in animal models.

Skingineering II: transplantation of large-scale laboratory-grown skin analogues in a new pig model.

Background: Tissue engineering of skin with near-normal anatomy is an intriguing novel strategy to attack the still unsolved problem of how to ideally cover massive full-thickness skin defects. After successful production of large, pig cell-derived skin analogues, we now aim at developing an appropriate large animal model for transplantation studies.

Materials And Methods: In four adult Swiss pigs, full-thickness skin defects, measuring 7.

Staphylococcal peptidoglycan co-localizes with Nod2 and TLR2 and activates innate immune response via both receptors in primary murine keratinocytes.

In mammalian host cells staphylococcal peptidoglycan (PGN) is recognized by Nod2. Whether PGN is also recognized by TLR2 is disputed. Here we carried out PGN co-localization and stimulation studies with TLR2 and Nod2 in wild type and mutant host cells.