Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic data of a Fel d 1 (1+2) construct corresponding to the major allergen from cat.

The domestic cat (Felis domesticus) is one of the most important causes of allergic disease worldwide. A homologue of the major allergen Fel d 1 was created by linking the two chains that compose the protein. Fel d 1 (1+2) was expressed in Escherichia coli and subsequently purified using three chromatographic steps.

IgE-positive plasma cells are present in adenoids of atopic children.

Conclusions: We demonstrated the presence of IgE(+) plasma cells in the adenoids of atopic children. Our data suggest that adenoids are capable of local production of IgE and support the role of adenoids as an inductive site for allergic reactions.

Objective: We have previously demonstrated increased numbers of IgE(+) cells in the adenoids of atopic children and also found support for an IL-4-induced class switch to IgE production in adenoids.

Rational design of hypoallergens applied to the major cat allergen Fel d 1.

Background: Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only treatment for allergic disease providing long-lasting symptom relief. Currently, it is mainly based on the use of crude allergen extracts. The treatment may be improved by the use of genetically engineered allergens, hypoallergens, aiming at a more effective and safer therapy.

Quantitative analysis of IgE antibodies to food and inhalant allergens in 4-year-old children reflects their likelihood of allergic disease.

Background: It is well established that early diagnosis of allergic disease is warranted.

Methods: In a prospective birth cohort study (BAMSE) 3743 children at 4 years of age were included. Children were classified as having any allergic disease, e.

IgE-sensitization to predatory mites and respiratory symptoms in Swedish greenhouse workers.

Background: Predatory mites are used as biological pesticides worldwide for control of spider mites and other pests in greenhouses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of occupational exposure to Phytoseiulus persimilis and Hypoaspis miles on IgE sensitization among a large group of Swedish greenhouse workers and to examine the relationship between exposure and allergic asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis.

Methods: A total of 96 greenhouse workers from the southern part of Sweden, who were using the predatory mites for control of pests, were investigated with a questionnaire and a medical examination including lung function test.

Haplotypes of G protein-coupled receptor 154 are associated with childhood allergy and asthma.

Rationale: Allergic diseases are influenced by both genes and environment. A 70-kb haplotype block in the G protein-coupled receptor for asthma susceptibility gene (GPR154; alias GPRA) on chromosome 7p was recently identified to influence susceptibility to asthma and elevated total serum IgE levels in adults.

Objectives: To assess the impact of GPR154 on childhood allergic disease, including allergic sensitization, asthma, and rhinoconjunctivitis, in study populations with diverse environmental backgrounds.

Antibody profiles and self-reported symptoms to pollen-related food allergens in grass pollen-allergic patients from northern Europe.

Background: Most studies on pollen-related food allergy have so far focused on the association of birch/weed pollen allergens and plant food allergy. The aim of this study was to elucidate the allergen spectrum among a group of grass pollen-allergic patients from northern Europe and to relate the results to clinical histories of pollen-related food allergy.

Methods: Fifty-eight grass pollen-allergic patients answered a questionnaire regarding allergy to foods.

Prevalence of self-reported food allergy and IgE antibodies to food allergens in Swedish and Estonian schoolchildren.

Objective: To compare the prevalence of self-reported food allergy and IgE antibodies to food allergens in wheezing and non-wheezing Estonian and Swedish schoolchildren, in the light of the disparities in the standard of living, food consumption and prevalence of respiratory allergies that still exist between Estonia and the Scandinavian countries.

Design And Setting: As a part of the ISAAC Phase II study, children from a random sample of schools in Tallinn in Estonia and Linköping and Ostersund in Sweden participated in skin prick tests to inhalant allergens and the parents replied to questionnaires. IgE antibodies against a panel of food allergens (egg white, milk, soy bean, fish, wheat and peanut) were taken from children with questionnaire-reported wheezing and a random sample of nonwheezing children.

A novel adjuvant-allergen complex, CBP-rFel d 1, induces up-regulation of CD86 expression and enhances cytokine release by human dendritic cells in vitro.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy is commonly performed with allergen extracts adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide (alum). The undesirable effects associated with the use of alum, including granuloma formation at the site of injection and stimulation of T helper 2 (Th2) cytokine production, has generated interest in alternative allergen carriers, one being carbohydrate-based particles (CBPs). Here, we have investigated the in vitro effects of the recombinant major cat allergen Fel d 1 (rFel d 1) coupled to CBPs (CBP-rFel d 1) on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) obtained from healthy blood donors.

Vaccination with genetically engineered allergens prevents progression of allergic disease.

IgE-mediated allergy affects >25% of the population in industrialized countries. Repeated contact with the disease-eliciting allergens induces rises of allergen-specific IgE Abs and progression of the disease to more severe manifestations. Our study uses a type of vaccine that is based on genetically modified allergen derivatives to treat allergic patients.

Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of bird-specific IgG antibodies.

Background: Exposure to organic dust produced by birds often gives rise to an immune response, e.g. IgG antibodies, but intense exposure can lead to high concentrations of IgG antibodies and the development of allergic alveolitis, often known as "bird fancier's lung".

No apparent association between periocular and ocular microcolonization and the degree of inflammation in patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis.

Background: The cause of the chronic inflammation in atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC), the ocular manifestation of atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome, is largely unknown.

Objective: To investigate the possibility that microorganisms may be important in the inflammatory activity in AKC.

Methods: Fifteen patients with AKC participated in the study.

Provocation testing with recombinant allergens.

In the past few decades, DNA technology has enabled the production of defined recombinant allergen molecules for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Recombinant allergens containing most of the relevant IgE epitopes present in natural allergen sources are now available and allergen proteins can be produced that are identical, without biological or batch-to-batch variation. A great advantage of recombinant allergens is that they can be used for component-resolved diagnostics, which makes it possible to establish the patient's individual IgE reactivity profile before therapy is selected.

Increased levels of IL-2 and IL-4 in stimulated adenoidal lymphocytes of atopic children.

Background: The adenoid is involved in the defence against airway pathogens and its surface is also exposed to airborne allergens. The knowledge about reactions taking place in the lymphatic tissue of this organ is, however, limited. To elucidate the influence of atopy we investigated the cellular and cytokine profile of in vitro-stimulated adenoid lymphocytes.

Quantification of IgE antibodies simplifies the classification of allergic diseases in 4-year-old children. A report from the prospective birth cohort study--BAMSE.

Allergic diseases are common among small children, but it is still unclear how immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to ambient allergens are distributed in a population-based prospective material of children at 4 years of age. The study is based on 75% (n = 4089) of all eligible children from northern Stockholm, born between 1994 and 1996 in pre-defined geographical areas. Data on exposure and outcome were obtained by parental questionnaires when the child was 3 months and 4 years of age.

Direct and indirect exposure to pets - risk of sensitization and asthma at 4 years in a birth cohort.

Introduction: There are conflicting data on the association between early exposure to pets and allergic diseases. Bias related to retrospective information on pet ownership has been addressed as a reason for distorted study results.

Objective: To elucidate how early exposure to cat and dog relates to IgE-sensitization and asthma in children at 2 and 4 years of age, in a prospective birth-cohort study.

The crystal structure of the major cat allergen Fel d 1, a member of the secretoglobin family.

The domestic cat (Felis domesticus) is one of the most important causes of allergic asthma worldwide. The dominating cat allergen, Fel d 1, is composed of two heterodimers. Recently, it has been shown that recombinant Fel d 1, consisting of chain 2 and chain 1 fused together without additional linker, has immunological properties indistinguishable from the natural heterodimeric protein.

Death in anaphylaxis in a man with house dust mite allergy.

Up to recently the post-mortem diagnosis of anaphylaxis has been based solely on circumstantial evidence. With the development of assays for mast cell tryptase it is now possible to verify cases of suspected anaphylaxis. Here we present one such case, which initially appeared to be due to sudden death of unknown cause.

Production, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic study of the major cat allergen Fel d 1.

The domestic cat (Felis domesticus) is an important cause of allergic disease worldwide. The major cat allergen 1 (Fel d 1) has been expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and refolded in a soluble form. Crystals of Fel d 1 were obtained in 13% 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, 0.

Cloning and characterisation of two IgE-binding proteins, homologous to tropomyosin and alpha-tubulin, from the mite Lepidoglyphus destructor.

Background: The dust mite Lepidoglyphus destructor is a major source of mite allergy in European rural environments, but it also causes allergy in urban populations around the world. We have previously cloned, sequenced and expressed several allergens from L. destructor (Lep d 2, Lep d 5, Lep d 7 and Lep d 13).

Formation of disulfide bonds and homodimers of the major cat allergen Fel d 1 equivalent to the natural allergen by expression in Escherichia coli.

Dander from the domestic cat (Felis domesticus) is one of the most common causes of IgE-mediated allergy. Attempts to produce tetrameric folded major allergen Fel d 1 by recombinant methods with structural features similar to the natural allergen have been only partially successful. In this study, a recombinant folded Fel d 1 with molecular and biological properties similar to the natural counterpart was produced.

IgE-mediated sensitization to predatory mites in Swedish greenhouse workers.

Background: Predatory mites are used as biological pesticides worldwide for control of spider mites and other pests in greenhouses. The aim of this study was to investigate if predatory and spider mites give rise to sensitization among greenhouse workers who use biological pesticides.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 31 greenhouse workers from Stockholm area who were using the predatory mites Phytoseiulus persimilis and Hypoaspis miles for control of pesticides.

Heredity, pet ownership, and confounding control in a population-based birth cohort.

Background: The association between pet ownership in childhood and subsequent allergic disease is controversial. Bias related to selection of pet exposure has been suggested as a reason for contradictory study results.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to elucidate how pet exposure depends on family history of allergic disease, smoking, and socioeconomic factors in a prospective birth cohort.