Failure of B Cell Tolerance in CVID.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) comprises a group of related disorders defined by defects in B cell function and antibody production. Concurrent autoimmune features are common, but the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of autoimmunity in CVID are poorly understood. Overlap in some clinical and laboratory features suggests a shared pathogenesis, at least in part, with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Effects of omalizumab on changes in pulmonary function induced by controlled cat room challenge.

Background: Environmental exposure to cat allergen is common, and sensitization to cat allergens is strongly associated with asthma.

Objective: We sought to examine the efficacy of omalizumab in preventing acute bronchoconstriction induced by environmental exposure to cat allergen.

Methods: Patients with a history of cat allergen-induced asthma were randomized to treatment with omalizumab or placebo and exposed to cat allergen in a controlled chamber for up to 1 hour at baseline and after 16 weeks of treatment.

The natural history of wheat allergy.

Background: Wheat allergy is 1 of the most common food allergies in children, yet few data are available regarding its natural history.

Objectives: To define the natural course of wheat allergy and identify factors that help predict outcome in a large referral population of children with wheat allergy.

Methods: Patients were included in the study if they had a history of a symptomatic reaction to wheat and a positive wheat IgE test result.

New HLA-A, -B, and -C locus-specific primers for PCR amplification from cDNA: application in clinical immunology.

The individual cellular immune response to intracellular antigens is modeled by the highly polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (HLA) class I molecules. The epitopes presented and the T cell repertoire that recognizes them depend on the HLA constitution of the individual. Therefore, to monitor and to modify an individual's HLA class I-driven cellular immune response, it is necessary to know the HLA class I alleles of the person and the possible epitopes of the target antigen presented by those alleles.