Neurophysiological correlates of various mental perspectives.

A common view of consciousness is that our mind presents emotions, experiences, and images in an internal mental (re-)presentation space which in a state of wakefulness is triggered by the world outside. Consciousness can be defined as the observation of this inner mental space. We propose a new model, in which the state of the conscious observer is defined by the observer's mental position and focus of attention.

[Interpersonal attention management inventory: a new instrument to capture different self- and external perception skills].

Background: The Interpersonal Attention Management Inventory (IAMI) represents a new instrument to capture self- and external perception skills. The underlying theoretical model assumes 3 mental locations of attention (the intrapersonal space, the extrapersonal space, and the external intrapersonal space) of the other.

Methods: The IAMI was studied regarding its factor structure; it was shortened and statistical values as well as first reference values were calculated based on a larger sample (n = 1089).

Gynecologic oncology group strategies to improve timeliness of publication.

Background: The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) is a multi-institution cooperative group funded by the National Cancer Institute to conduct clinical trials encompassing clinical and basic scientific research in gynecologic malignancies. These results are disseminated via publication in peer-reviewed journals. This process requires collaboration of numerous investigators located in diverse cancer research centers.

Immunological approaches for tolerance induction in allergy.

Allergy is the consequence of an inappropriate inflammatory immune response generated against harmless environmental antigens. In allergic disorders such as asthma and rhinitis, the Th2 mediated phenotype is a result of loss of peripheral tolerance mechanisms. In cases such as these, approaches such as immunotherapy attempt to treat the underlying cause of allergic disease by restoring tolerance.

T cells and eosinophils in bronchial smooth muscle cell death in asthma.

Background: Bronchial smooth muscle cells (SMC) proliferate, express adhesion molecules, secrete cytokines and thus efficiently contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate whether, and by which mechanism, T cells and eosinophils can cause death of airway SMC.

Methods: The T cell- and eosinophil-induced cell death was analysed in primary human bronchial SMC cultures as well as in bronchial biopsy specimens from non-asthmatic and asthmatic individuals.

IL-10 suppresses CD2-mediated T cell activation via SHP-1.

Interleukin (IL)-10 is an essential suppressive cytokine and plays a key role in peripheral T cell tolerance to allergens, autoantigens, transplantation antigens and tumor antigens. However, the molecular mechanisms of direct T cell suppression by IL-10 are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that IL-10 directly inhibits CD2 signaling in T cells.

Clinical and immunologic effects of H1 antihistamine preventive medication during honeybee venom immunotherapy.

Background: H1 antihistamines increase safety during allergen-specific immunotherapy and might influence the outcome because of immunoregulatory effects.

Objective: We sought to analyze the influence of 5 mg of levocetirizine (LC) on the safety, efficacy, and immunologic effects of ultrarush honeybee venom immunotherapy (BVIT).

Method: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study 54 patients with honeybee venom allergy received LC or placebo from 2 days before BVIT to day 21.

[Immunological principles of allergen-specific immune therapy].

The immunological mechanisms of healthy and allergic immune responses, as well as allergen-specific immune therapy (ASIT) are determined by the activation of defined subpopulations of specific T-cells and the resulting cytokine pattern. Suppression of a Th2 cytokine pattern by regulatory T-cells (Treg) with IL-10 and/or TGF-beta is decisive for the success of an ASIT. A prerequisite for achieving immunologic tolerance is that sufficiently high amounts of the individual allergen components are present in the allergen extract used.

GATA3-driven Th2 responses inhibit TGF-beta1-induced FOXP3 expression and the formation of regulatory T cells.

Transcription factors act in concert to induce lineage commitment towards Th1, Th2, or T regulatory (Treg) cells, and their counter-regulatory mechanisms were shown to be critical for polarization between Th1 and Th2 phenotypes. FOXP3 is an essential transcription factor for natural, thymus-derived (nTreg) and inducible Treg (iTreg) commitment; however, the mechanisms regulating its expression are as yet unknown. We describe a mechanism controlling iTreg polarization, which is overruled by the Th2 differentiation pathway.

Comparison of Der p1-specific antibody levels in children with allergic airway disease and healthy controls.

Although children, with allergic airway disease, who are sensitized to house-dust mite (HDM) are known to have increased levels of allergen-specific IgE and IgG, the association between the quantity of those immunoglobulins and the clinical features of disease is not yet well established. The purpose of this study was (i) to evaluate Der p1-specific IgA, IgG1, IgG4, and IgE levels of children with HDM-allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis and to compare it with that of healthy controls (ii) to assess the association with disease duration. A total of 73 patients were included.

IL-10 inhibits CD28 and ICOS costimulations of T cells via src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 1.

Background: Specific T-cell activation requires T-cell receptor stimulation and the generation of costimulatory signals. Major costimulatory signals are delivered to T cells by the interaction of CD28 and inducible costimulator (ICOS).

Objective: To investigate the molecular pathways involved in direct T-cell suppression by IL-10.

Connective tissue growth factor expression is regulated by histamine in lung fibroblasts: potential role of histamine in airway remodeling.

Background: In the inflamed lung of allergic asthma, an aberrant injury-repair response is accompanied by structural changes in the airway, known as airway remodeling. TGF-beta and its downstream mediator connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) are playing a key role in these processes, resulting in irreversible airway remodelling.

Objective: As histamine is a key mediator of allergic reactions, we investigated whether histamine is involved in airway remodeling.

Mechanisms of allergen specific immunotherapy--T-cell tolerance and more.

Specific immune suppression and induction of tolerance are essential processes in the regulation and circumvention of immune defence. The balance between allergen-specific T-regulatory (Treg) cells and T helper 2 cells appears to be decisive in the development of allergic and healthy immune response against allergens. Treg cells consistently represent the dominant subset specific for common environmental allergens in healthy individuals.

Histamine receptors in immune regulation and allergen-specific immunotherapy.

The cells involved in the regulation of immune responses and hematopoiesis express histamine receptors and secrete histamine. Histamine acting through four types of its receptors has been shown not only to affect chronic inflammatory responses but also to regulate several essential events in the immune response. Histamine signals have a role in the mechanisms of tolerance induced during allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT), acting mainly through its receptor (HR) type 2.

The role of TGF-beta in allergic inflammation.

The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) plays a dual role in allergic disease. It is important in suppressing T cells and also mediates repair responses that lead to unwanted remodeling of tissues. Advances in the immunology of allergy indicate that allergens cause overreactions in the lymphocyte compartment because of the lack or decreased number of suppressive, regulatory T cells.

Mechanisms of allergen-specific immunotherapy: T-regulatory cells and more.

Activation-induced cell death, anergy, or immune response modulation by regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are essential mechanisms of peripheral T-cell tolerance. Genetic predisposition and environmental instructions tune thresholds for the activation of T cells, other inflammatory cells, and resident tissue cells in allergic diseases. Skewing allergen-specific effector T cells to a Treg-cell phenotype seems to be crucial in maintaining a healthy immune response to allergens and successful allergen-specific immunotherapy.

TGF-beta1 in SP-A preparations influence immune suppressive properties of SP-A on human CD4+ T lymphocytes.

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) have been shown to modulate the functions of different immune cells and specifically to inhibit T lymphocyte proliferation. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether the Smad signaling pathway, which is activated by TGF-beta1, also plays a role in SP-A-mediated inhibition of CD4+ T lymphocyte activation. Recombinant human SP-A1 expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells [rSP-A1m (mammalian)], but not recombinant Baculovirus-derived rSP-A1hyp (hydroxyproline-deficient), suppressed T lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 mRNA expression.

High-altitude climate therapy reduces local airway inflammation and modulates lymphocyte activation.

High-altitude climate therapy is a well-established therapeutic option, which improves clinical symptoms in asthma. However, little is known about the underlying immunological mechanisms. The study investigates the influence of high-altitude climate therapy on airway inflammation and cellular components of specific and unspecific immune response.

Immunological mechanisms of specific allergen immunotherapy.

Allergy is an immunological disorder, which is driven by uncontrolled allergen-activated T cell subsets, leading to immediate type hypersensitivity against otherwise harmless environmental allergens. These allergens are tolerated by healthy individuals as well as by patients, who successfully underwent allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT). The successful SIT is characterized by the induction of T cell unresponsiveness against the given allergen.