Galanin System in the Human Bile Duct and Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) is characterised by poor outcomes. Early diagnosis is essential for patient survival. The peptide galanin (GAL) and its receptors GAL are expressed in various tumours.

The nanotopography of SiO particles impacts the selectivity and 3D fold of bound allergens.

A detailed description of the changes that occur during the formation of protein corona represents a fundamental question in nanoscience, given that it not only impacts the behaviour of nanoparticles but also affects the bound proteins. Relevant questions include whether proteins selectively bind particles, whether a specific orientation is preferred for binding, and whether particle binding leads to a modulation of their 3D fold. For allergens, it is important to answer these questions given that all these effects can modify the allergenic response of atopic individuals.

Proteomic profiling of commercial dust mite skin prick test solutions and allergy vaccines from India.

Background: Skin prick test (SPT) solutions and allergy vaccines (AVs) are crucial tools for diagnosis and therapy of allergies. It was the aim of this study to corroborate the content of products for diagnosis and treatment of dust mite allergies that are produced and sold in India.

Methods: SDS-PAGE, immunoblots and high-resolution mass spectrometric analysis was performed with 16 house dust mite (HDM) SPT solutions and AVs from 3 Indian manufacturers.

Hydrogen/deuterium exchange memory NMR reveals structural epitopes involved in IgE cross-reactivity of allergenic lipid transfer proteins.

Identification of antibody-binding epitopes is crucial to understand immunological mechanisms. It is of particular interest for allergenic proteins with high cross-reactivity as observed in the lipid transfer protein (LTP) syndrome, which is characterized by severe allergic reactions. Art v 3, a pollen LTP from mugwort, is frequently involved in this cross-reactivity, but no antibody-binding epitopes have been determined so far.

Biochemical and functional characterization of a new recombinant phospholipase A inhibitor from Crotalus durissus collilineatus snake serum.

Phospholipase A plays an important role in many diseases. Thus, the production of bioactive molecules, which can modulate PLA activity, became an important target for the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, we demonstrated the inhibitory and anti-angiogenic effect of γCdcPLI, the natural PLAinhibitor from Crotalus durissus collilineatus.

A hybrid of two major Blomia tropicalis allergens as an allergy vaccine candidate.

Introduction: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) represents a curative approach for treating allergies. In the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, Blomia tropicalis (Blo t 5 and Blo t 21) is the likely dominant source of indoor allergens.

Aim: To generate a hypoallergenic Blo t 5/Blo t 21 hybrid molecule that can treat allergies caused by B tropicalis.

TGFβ1 mimetic peptide modulates immune response to grass pollen allergens in mice.

Background: Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) is a cytokine that exerts immunosuppressive functions, as reflected by its ability to induce regulatory T (Treg) cell differentiation and inhibit Th1 and Th2 responses. Hence, peptides that mimic the active core domain of TGFβ1 may be promising candidates for modulation of the allergic response. This study aimed to investigate a synthetic TGFβ1 mimetic peptide (TGFβ1-mim) for its ability to modulate the immune response during allergic sensitization to grass pollen allergens.

Multiple roles of Bet v 1 ligands in allergen stabilization and modulation of endosomal protease activity.

Background: Over 100 million people worldwide suffer from birch pollen allergy. Bet v 1 has been identified as the major birch pollen allergen. However, the molecular mechanisms of birch allergic sensitization, including the roles of Bet v 1 and other components of the birch pollen extract, remain incompletely understood.

Aptamers as quality control tool for production, storage and biosimilarity of the anti-CD20 biopharmaceutical rituximab.

Detailed analysis of biopharmaceuticals is crucial for safety, efficacy and stability. Aptamers, which are folded, single-stranded oligonucleotides, can be used as surrogate antibodies to detect subtle conformational changes. We aimed to generate and assess DNA aptamers against the therapeutic anti-CD20 antibody rituximab.

Does clinical outcome of birch pollen immunotherapy relate to induction of blocking antibodies preventing IgE from allergen binding? A pilot study monitoring responses during first year of AIT.

Background: The clinical benefit of allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) involves induction of blocking antibodies. It is not clear if these antibodies function via steric hindrance alone or a combination of levels, avidities, and epitope specificities, and clinical outcome cannot be predicted. We aim to in-depth characterize serum antibody profiles during birch pollen AIT, investigate therapy-induced antibodies for their capacity to block IgE binding to Bet v 1 and correlate data with clinical outcomes.

Context matters: T2 polarization resulting from pollen composition and not from protein-intrinsic allergenicity.

Background: Over 100 million people worldwide suffer from birch pollen allergy. However, identification of molecular determinants driving Th2-biased allergic sensitization to Bet v 1, the major birch pollen allergen, remains elusive.

Objective: Here, we examined whether Bet v 1 or the pollen matrix is responsible for activation of antigen-presenting cells and the subsequent Th2 polarization, relevant in the process of allergic sensitization.

Two Distinct Conformations in Bet v 2 Determine Its Proteolytic Resistance to Cathepsin S.

Birch pollen allergy affects more than 20% of the European allergic population. On a molecular level, birch pollen allergy can be linked to the two dominant allergens Bet v 1 and Bet v 2. Bet v 2 belongs to the profilin family, which is abundant in the plant kingdom.

Expression and Characterization of Functional Recombinant Bet v 1.0101 in the Chloroplast of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Background: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) still plays a minor role in the treatment of allergic diseases. To improve the acceptance of AIT by allergic patients, the treatment has to become more convenient and efficacious. One possibility is the oral application of allergens or derivatives thereof.

The Evolution of Human Basophil Biology from Neglect towards Understanding of Their Immune Functions.

Being discovered long ago basophils have been neglected for more than a century. During the past decade evidence emerged that basophils share features of innate and adaptive immunity. Nowadays, basophils are best known for their striking effector role in the allergic reaction.