Thromboxane A2 receptor +795T>C and chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells -466T>C gene polymorphisms in patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

It is well known that aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is more common in women than in men, however, whether gene polymorphisms of the thromboxane A2 receptor (TBXA2R) and chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecules expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2) are associated with the susceptibility of AERD remains unknown. In this study, we examined the gene polymorphisms in a Japanese population. DNA specimens were obtained from the following three groups: 96 patients with AERD, 500 patients with aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA) and 100 normal controls.

Arg16Gly β2-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism in Japanese patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

Background: There has been no report that investigated β(2)-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene polymorphism in patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD).

Methods: DNA in the specimens in three groups of study subjects classified patients with AERD, patients with aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA) and normal controls was extracted, and the target DNA sequence of the ADRB2 was amplified using a set of primers to generate an amplicon of 219 bp in length. Allelic discrimination assay for single nucleotide polymorphisms relating to the ADRB2 gene expression was carried out by using a previously described single nucleotide polymorphism detective system, sequence-specific thermal-elution chromatography.

Urinary eosinophil-derived neurotoxin concentrations in patients with atopic dermatitis: a useful clinical marker for disease activity.

Background: It has been reported that measurements of eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) may be useful for identifying eosinophil activities in allergic diseases including atopic dermatitis.

Methods: EDN concentrations in the urine were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the number of eosinophils in the peripheral blood was counted in 30 patients with atopic dermatitis. The severity of atopic dermatitis was graded on the criteria proposed by Rajka and Langeland.

Mast cells in cutaneous allergic vasculitis: a case report.

Background: The mechanism of cutaneous allergic vasculitis still remains unclear, and to the best of our knowledge, no case has been reported in the literature in which the number of mast cells was examined.

Methods: A 33-year-old woman, with a past history of allergic rhinitis due to Japanese cedar and Phleum pratense (timothy), presented with a chief complaint of palpable papules on both lower legs in December 2002. On blood examination, peripheral blood eosinophilia was present, but all other examinations for immunologic diseases were negative, including specific IgE.

Quantitative analysis of mast cells in benign and malignant breast lesions. Immunohistochemical study on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues.

Background: It has been reported that the number of mast cells was significantly greater in malignant breast carcinomas than in benign breast lesions. This was due to tryptase-containing mast cells while tryptase, chymase-containing mast cells had no effect. However, analysis of mast cells in breast carcinomas and benign breast lesions based on their histological findings remains to be elucidated.

Expression of the interleukin-8 receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 on cord-blood-derived cultured human mast cells.

Background: An increase in mast cell number at sites of inflamed tissues has been observed. However, the expression of CXC chemokine receptors on human mast cells is poorly understood.

Methods: Cultured human mast cells were raised from human umbilical cord blood cells in the presence of stem cell factor and interleukin-6 (IL-6).