Asthma in Adolescence.

Asthma is the most common chronic illness in adolescents and is one of the most important causes of school absenteeism, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations. The authors provide the clinician with an updated review of recent developments in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma.

Glucocorticoid-induced enhancement of IgE synthesis.

Glucocorticoid-induced enhancement of polyclonal immunoglobulin production of the IgG, A, and M classes by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells has been shown to be dependent on regulatory T-cells. The following in vitro investigation demonstrated an enhancing effect of glucocorticoid on IgE production by mononuclear cells from atopic patients, but not by cells from non-atopic subjects. Augmentation was noted even in cell populations depleted of T cells and monocytes.

Abnormal regulation of in vitro IgE synthesis by T cells obtained from patients with atopic dermatitis.

The regulatory influence of atopic eczema and non-atopic T cells on spontaneous IgE synthesis by eczema B cells was examined. Eczema B cells were cocultured with either autologous or allogeneic T cells in RPMI 1640 with 10% fetal calf serum at 0.75 X 10(6) cells/ml (B/T = 0.

Effect of dexamethasone on de novo IgE synthesis by human blood lymphocytes.

The effect of dexamethasone (DM) on de novo in vitro total IgE synthesis by blood mononuclear cells (MNC) was studied in atopic patients with eczema and in nonatopic control subjects. Unfractionated blood MNC were cultured at 1 X 10(6) cells per milliliter for 7 days in RPMI 1640 with 10% fetal calf serum with or without decreasing concentrations of DM (10(-7) to 10(-11). Net IgE synthesis was calculated by subtracting preformed (+ cycloheximide at day 0) from total IgE in 7-day supernatants.

Correction of an in vitro immunoregulatory defect in atopic subjects by the immunostimulating drug fanetizole mesylate (CP-48,810).

The effect of Fanetizole mesylate or CP-48,810, a new immunostimulating drug, on suppressor cell function and IgE synthesis in vitro was evaluated in atopic patients with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma and eczema. In the absence of the drug, histamine (10(-3)M) stimulated blood mononuclear cells from 23 atopic patients suppressed concanavalin A-induced lymphocyte proliferation by a mean (+/- S.E.

Allergens detected in association with airborne particles capable of penetrating into the peripheral lung.

Extrinsic asthma is caused by exposure to airborne allergens. The diameter of airborne particles influences the depth of penetration and deposition fraction in the lung. In this study, we used an Andersen sampler to collect 9 different size ranges of airborne particles from a cat-containing and a cat-free room.

IgE production in vitro by human blood mononuclear cells: a comparison between atopic and nonatopic subjects.

In vitro IgE synthesis by blood mononuclear cells from atopic patients and nonatopic subjects was examined. A total of 1 X 10(6) mononuclear cells cultured in RPMI-1640 and 10% fetal calf serum with or without cycloheximide was found to be optimal to detect de novo synthesis. A modified Phadebas IgE paper radioimmunosorbent test was employed for the quantitation of supernatant IgE concentration.

Precocious puberty in juvenile hypothyroidism.

Three children, two girls and one boy, presented with hypothyroidism and precocious sexual development. Serum TSH and PRL were elevated in all cases. In the male patient, pituitary stimulation with TRH produced exaggerated TSH and PRL responses.