Topical levocabastine compared with orally administered terfenadine for the prophylaxis and treatment of seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis.

Background: This study was designed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of a new topical (nasal spray and eye drops) H1-receptor antagonist, levocabastine, with that of orally administered terfenadine for the prophylaxis and treatment of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Methods: A total of 115 patients with documented birch pollen allergy were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group trial. Treatment was initiated immediately before the birch pollen season started and continued for a total of 8 weeks.

Significance of different J chain profiles in human tissues: generation of IgA and IgM with binding site for secretory component is related to the J chain expressing capacity of the total local immunocyte population, including IgG and IgD producing cells, and depends on the clinical state of the tissue.

Most IgA producing cells in normal intestinal and nasal mucosa synthesize dimers or larger polymers as evidenced by 90% cytoplasmic affinity for secretory component (SC) in vitro and almost 100% J chain positivity. The comparable median figures for normal exocrine glands (salivary, lacrimal, lactating mammary) were 84% and 92%, respectively. Conversely, IgA immunocytes in the subepithelial areas of palatine tonsils and in other extraglandular tissues, such as inflamed gingiva and intestinal submucosa, showed only 16-28% SC binding capacity and 18-51% J chain positivity.

Immunohistochemical characterization of cellular immunoglobulins and epithelial marker antigens in Warthin's tumor.

Lymphoid and epithelial cell marker studies based on paired immunofluorescence staining were performed on ethanol-fixed specimens from six Warthin's tumors of the parotid gland. A polyclonal pattern of isotype and light-chain expression was demonstrated for immunoglobulin-producing cells and afforded definitive evidence for the reactive nature of B-cell proliferation. The average percentages of IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, and IgE immunocytes were 48.

Immunofluorescence study of secretory epithelial markers in pleomorphic adenomas.

Amylase (Am), lactoferrin (Lf), lysozyme (Ly), secretory component (SC), epithelial IgA, and epithelial IgM were traced by paired immunofluorescence staining in ethanol-fixed specimens from 15 pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland. Epithelial elements positive for some of the markers were detected in a variable number of the specimens (Am, 0; Lf, 11, Ly, 2; CEA, 6; SC, 11; IgA, 9; and IgM, 6); their expression seemed to depend on a certain degree of glandular differentiation. Variable co-expression of secretory epithelial markers probably reflected different degrees of differentiation, indicating that clonal diversification may explain the histological complexity of pleomorphic adenomas.

Characterization of epithelial elements in human major salivary glands by functional markers: localization of amylase, lactoferrin, lysozyme, secretory component, and secretory immunoglobulins by paired immunofluorescence staining.

Human parotid and submandibular glands were studied by paired immunofluorescence staining, including a variety of combinations of fluorochrome conjugates with contrasting colors. Lactoferrin (Lf), secretory component (SC), and particularly amylase were demonstrated in serous acinar cells of both glands. In addition, lysozyme (Ly) was present in some acini, although mainly located in intercalated ducts where Lf was also most commonly seen.

Influence of tonsillar disease on the expression of J chain by immunoglobulin-producing cells in human palatine and nasopharyngeal tonsils.

A significant reduction of the percentage of J-chain-positive intra- and extra-follicular IgA immunocytes was found in inflamed palatine tonsils. There was a tendency to similar alterations in hypertrophied adenoids. Tonsillar disease apparently enhances local maturation of the B-cell system, perhaps on the basis of intensified proliferation of memory clones.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of J-chain expression by intra- and extra-follicular immunoglobulin-producing human tonsillar cells.

Cytoplasmic J-chain expression by Ig-producing cells was characterized immunohistochemically in normal specimens of palatine and nasopharyngeal tonsils (adenoids). Altogether follicular immunocytes, which were mainly of ther IgG and IgM isotypes, showed a much higher percentage of J-chain positivity than the extrafollicular ones, in agreement with the idea that this polypeptide is principally a marker of differentiating or newly differentiated Ig-producing cells. Thus, in concurrence with the predominating IgG isotype, J-chain expression was almost 50% in the germinal centres of lymphoid follicles but only about 2% in the extrafollicular compartment.

Immune systems of human nasopharyngeal and palatine tonsils: histomorphometry of lymphoid components and quantification of immunoglobulin-producing cells in health and disease.

The relative contributions of the various lymphoid tissue compartments (follicle centre, mantle zone, extrafollicular area, and reticular epithelium) of clinically normal nasopharyngeal (adenoid) and palatine tonsils of young children (mean age 5, range 2–10 years) were found to be almost identical in the two organs. In adenoid hypertrophy and recurrent palatine tonsillitis a significant relative reduction of the contributions of follicle centres and mantle zones occurred along with an increase of the extrafollicular compartment. The tonsillar Ig-producing cell systems in health and disease were studied by paired immunohistochemical staining.

Quantitative immunohistochemistry of immunoglobulin- and J-chain-producing cells in human parotid and submandibular salivary glands.

Ig-producing cells were quantified by paired immunohistochemical staining in saline-extracted and paraffin-embedded normal tissue specimens from human parotid (ten) and submandibular (seven) salivary glands. The density of such cells (number/mm2 of 6 micron thick tissue section) was significantly higher in the submandibular than in the parotid gland (P less than 0.005), but the Ig-class distribution was fairly similar.

Immunohistochemical studies on the epithelial and lymphoid components of Warthin's tumour.

The lymphoid and epithelial elements of three Warthin's tumours (adenolymphomas) were studied by immunohistochemical technique. All classes of immunoglobulin (Ig)-producing cells were found, except IgE immunocytes. The numbers of cells/mm2 section area (median and range) were: 20.