Insulin-like growth factor-I augments interleukin-8 promoter activity through induction of activator protein-1 complex formation.

We previously established that stimulation by IGF-I of interleukin (IL)-8 expression in leukocytes required activation of extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) and basal activity of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that IGF-I stimulates IL-8 expression at the transcriptional level through induction of Fos/Jun activator protein (AP)-1 complex formation. Inhibition studies using the transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D and IL-8 promoter activation studies indicate that IGF-I act at the transcriptional level.

Protection from visible light by commonly used textiles is not predicted by ultraviolet protection.

Interest is increasing in the prevention of acute and chronic actinic damage provided by clothing. This interest has focused mainly on protection against ultraviolet irradiation, but it has now also turned to protection against visible light. This change is mainly due to the action spectrum in the visible light range of some photodermatoses and the increasing interest in photodynamic therapy.

Detection of basophil-activating IgG autoantibodies in chronic idiopathic urticaria by induction of CD 63.

Background: Approximately 40% to 50% of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) have functional IgG autoantibodies against FcepsilonRIalpha or IgE, which induce histamine release from basophils and cutaneous mast cells. A positive autologous serum skin test response is believed to reflect the presence of these autoantibodies.

Objective: We sought to further define the functional properties of and develop a sensitive functional assay for detection of autoantibodies in patients with CIU.

Allergen-specific T cells from birch-pollen-allergic patients and healthy controls differ in T helper 2 cytokine and in interleukin-10 production.

Background: T helper (Th)2 cells play an important role in the development of IgE-mediated diseases, with local overproduction of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) at the site of allergic inflammation. Furthermore, IL-10 has been suggested to play a modulatory role in the induction and maintenance of allergen-specific tolerance in human atopic diseases.

Aim: We studied whether circulating allergen-specific Th2 cells persist outside the season of exposure in patients mono-sensitized to birch pollen and whether healthy control individuals also have allergen-specific Th2 cells.