dNP2-ctCTLA-4 inhibits German cockroach extract-induced allergic airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness via inhibition of Th2 responses.

German cockroaches are major household allergens that can trigger allergic airway inflammatory diseases with sensitive T-cell responses. Although the use of immune modulatory biologics, such as antibodies, to mediate allergic responses has recently been examined, only systemic administration is available because of the size limitations on intranasal administration. Here we utilized a cell-permeable peptide, dNP2, to deliver the cytoplasmic domain of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (ctCTLA-4) through the airway epithelium to modulate Th2 responses in a German cockroach extract (GCE)-induced allergic airway inflammation model.

CpG Oligodeoxynucleotide Inhibits Cockroach-Induced Asthma via Induction of IFN-γ⁺ Th1 Cells or Foxp3⁺ Regulatory T Cells in the Lung.

Purpose: CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN), a TLR9 agonist, activates innate immunity and induces Th1 response. Although the immune modulatory effect of CpG-ODN has been extensively studied, its function in cockroach extract-induced allergic asthma has not been studied. Here, we investigated the inhibitory function of CpG-ODN in cockroach extract-induced asthma in mice with different treatment schemes.

Flagellin suppresses experimental asthma by generating regulatory dendritic cells and T cells.

Background: Although the hygiene hypothesis suggests that microbial infections could subvert asthma and thus a microbial product might serve as a therapeutic adjuvant for asthma, the relationship between bacterial components and asthma is complex. Recently, low levels of flagellin, the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 5 ligand, have been reported to promote asthma.

Objective: We show that a therapeutic dose of flagellin suppresses asthma and that the effect occurs through generating regulatory dendritic cells (rDCs) and regulatory T (Treg) cells.

Obesity increases airway hyperresponsiveness via the TNF-α pathway and treating obesity induces recovery.

Obesity is a known risk factor for allergic asthma. It has been recognized as a key player in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory disorders via activation of macrophages, which is also vital to the development of allergic asthma. We investigated the mechanism of obesity-related asthma and whether treating obesity through exercise or diet ameliorates the severity of asthma in the obesity-related asthma model.

A novel human anti-VCAM-1 monoclonal antibody ameliorates airway inflammation and remodelling.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease induced by Type 2 helper T cells and eosinophils. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) has been implicated in recruiting eosinophils and lymphocytes to pathological sites in asthma as a regulatory receptor. Accordingly, monoclonal antibody (mAb) against VCAM-1 may attenuate allergic inflammation and pathophysiological features of asthma.

Alveolar macrophages play a key role in cockroach-induced allergic inflammation via TNF-α pathway.

The activity of the serine protease in the German cockroach allergen is important to the development of allergic disease. The protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2, which is expressed in numerous cell types in lung tissue, is known to mediate the cellular events caused by inhaled serine protease. Alveolar macrophages express PAR-2 and produce considerable amounts of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α.

Endotoxin is not essential for the development of cockroach induced allergic airway inflammation.

Purpose: Cockroach (CR) is an important inhalant allergen and can induce allergic asthma. However, the mechanism by which CR induces airway allergic inflammation and the role of endotoxin in CR extract are not clearly understood in regards to the development of airway inflammation. In this study, we evaluated whether endotoxin is essential to the development of CR induced airway allergic inflammation in mice.

Cell permeable NFAT inhibitory peptide Sim-2-VIVIT inhibits T-cell activation and alleviates allergic airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness.

Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) is an important transcription factor for the production of interleukin (IL)-2 upon T-cell receptor (TcR) signaling. Therefore, inhibition of the NFAT-carcineurin pathway is an important target for inflammatory disease inhibition and graft rejection. A novel cell permeable peptide (CPP), Sim-2, has been identified from a human transcription factor, and Sim-2-CPP conjugated to β-galactosidase or EGFP protein was efficiently delivered into cells in vitro and in vivo.

IL-33 induces Th17-mediated airway inflammation via mast cells in ovalbumin-challenged mice.

Allergic asthma is characterized by infiltration of eosinophils, elevated Th2 cytokine levels, airway hyperresponsiveness, and IgE. In addition to eosinophils, mast cells, and basophils, a variety of cytokines are also involved in the development of allergic asthma. The pivotal role of eosinophils in the progression of the disease has been a subject of controversy.

Effect of an air cleaner with electrostatic filter on the removal of airborne house dust mite allergens.

Purpose: The effects of air cleaners on the removal of airborne indoor allergens, especially house dust mites (HDM), are still controversial. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of an air cleaner with an electrostatic filter on the removal of airborne mite allergens.

Materials And Methods: A dried HDM culture medium that contained mite body particles and excretions was dispersed in a chamber equipped with an electrostatic air cleaner.

Glutathione peroxidase 1 deficiency attenuates allergen-induced airway inflammation by suppressing Th2 and Th17 cell development.

Engagement of T cell receptor (TCR) triggers signaling pathways that mediate activation, proliferation, and differentiation of T lymphocytes. Such signaling events are mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), including hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxides, both of which are reduced by glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1). We have now examined the role of GPx1 in the activation, differentiation, and functions of CD4(+) T helper (Th) cells.

Restoration of T-box-containing protein expressed in T cells protects against allergen-induced asthma.

Background: A T(H)1-specific transcription factor, T-box-containing protein expressed in T cells (T-bet), controls the production of both T(H)1 and T(H)2 cytokines in T(H) cell differentiation by means of distinct mechanisms. T-bet-deficient mice overproduce T(H)2 cytokines and have spontaneous airway inflammation.

Objectives: We tested whether T-bet overexpression could protect against the development or progression of asthma.

Allergen-specific IgE measurement with the IMMULITE 2000 system: intermethod comparison of detection performance for allergen-specific IgE antibodies from Korean allergic patients.

Background: Intermethod comparison between IMMULITE 2000 chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) and the established CAP test for allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) has only been evaluated by a few studies.

Methods: We performed such an interassay comparison using 283 Korean allergic patients with the following: asthma (18.4%), allergic rhinitis (18.

Optimal conditions for the removal of house dust mite, dog dander, and pollen allergens using mechanical laundry.

Background: Mechanical laundry is an effective tool for the environmental control of allergens, but the optimal conditions for removing allergens are not yet clear.

Objective: To evaluate the optimal conditions of mechanical laundry for the removal of house dust mite (HDM), dog dander, and pollen allergens.

Methods: The 4 washing modes of 30 degrees C (86 degrees F), 40 degrees C (104 degrees F), 60 degrees C (140 degrees F), and steam water (SW) with detergent were evaluated.

Cross-allergenicity of pollens from the Compositae family: Artemisia vulgaris, Dendranthema grandiflorum, and Taraxacum officinale.

Background: Chrysanthemum, dandelion, and mugwort belong to the Compositae (Asteraceae) family. Their cross-allergenicity has not yet been completely evaluated.

Objective: To investigate the sensitization and cross-allergenicity of these 3 plants.

Application of the 16-kDa buckwheat 2 S storage albumin protein for diagnosis of clinical reactivity.

Background: The 16-kDa protein of buckwheat (BW) has been implicated as a major allergen in BW allergy.

Objective: To characterize the 16-kDa allergen and evaluate its clinical significance as an indicator of BW allergy.

Methods: Complementary DNA from the 16-kDa allergen was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli.

Characterization of buckwheat 19-kD allergen and its application for diagnosing clinical reactivity.

Background: The 19-kD protein of buckwheat (BW) has been suggested to be a major allergen, but its characteristics and clinical significance are poorly defined.

Methods: cDNA of the 19-kD BW allergen was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Allergenicity and cross-allergenicity were confirmed by inhibition immunoblotting or by ELISA inhibition.

[A case of primary hepatocellular carcinoma with metastasis to the spinal cord].

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies reported in Korean adult males. Hepatocellular carcinoma usually spreads to regional lymph nodes around porta hepatis via lymphatics and to distant metastasis via hematogenous spread. The lung is most common distant metastatic site, followed by the adrenal glands, local lymph nodes and bones.