Cytokine profiling of chemical allergens in mice: impact of mitogen on selectivity of response.

A major constraint in the development of methods for the identification of chemical respiratory allergens is the continuing uncertainty regarding the mechanisms of this disease and in particular the role of IgE antibody. There is, however, increasing evidence that respiratory sensitization is favoured by the induction of a selective type 2 cytokine response. The current investigations focus on the potential application of cytokine profiling to the identification of chemical respiratory sensitizers.

Butyl benzyl phthalate: effects on immune responses to ovalbumin in mice.

During recent decades the prevalence of IgE-mediated (atopic) allergic diseases in Western Europe and the USA has been increasing dramatically. It has been suggested that one possible cause is the presence in the environment of chemicals that may act as adjuvants, enhancing immune and allergic responses. Certain commonly used phthalate plasticizers such as butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) have been implicated in this way.

Cytokine profiling of chemical allergens in mice: measurement of message versus protein.

Chemical respiratory allergy is an important occupational health problem, but there are currently available no validated methods for hazard identification. There has been interest for some time in the application of cytokine profiling for the characterization of chemical allergens. We have now examined whether these cytokine expression patterns are regulated at the level of mRNA and/or protein production.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is without adjuvant effect in mice on ovalbumin.

It has been suggested that one possible contributor to the increasing prevalence of IgE-mediated allergic diseases in Europe and the US is exposure to chemicals that may act as adjuvants. It has been reported previously that certain commonly used phthalate plasticizers, such as di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), are able to modify immune responses induced in mice by the common hens' egg allergen ovalbumin (OVA). However, the significance of these observations for human health is unclear, not least because the relevant studies have been conducted exclusively using subcutaneous administration of phthalates.