Publications by authors named "Simon Blank"

Article Synopsis
  • * Key allergens evaluated include hyaluronidases from honey bee (Api m 2), European paper wasp (Pol d 2), and yellow jackets (Ves v 2.0101 and Ves v 2.0201), with sensitization rates among patients varying significantly.
  • * Results show that individuals primarily sensitized to Api m 2 have minimal cross-reactivity with other venoms, while those sensitized to other allergens may react to Api m 2, emphasizing the importance of identifying the primary allergen for effective
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  • * The basophil activation test (BAT) has gained importance as a sensitive and useful diagnostic tool, particularly for ambiguous cases of Hymenoptera venom allergies.
  • * BAT results can predict VIT side effects and treatment failures while also aiding research into the allergenic components of various Hymenoptera venoms.
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  • * Initial diagnosis involves skin tests and blood tests using whole-venom extracts to differentiate between honeybee and wasp venom sensitivities, while advanced serologic tests can pinpoint specific allergens.
  • * Clinical labs utilize various immunoassays for testing sensitivity, with both singleplex and emerging multiplex methods, which are generally reliable but differ in regulatory status, sensitivity, and cost-effectiveness; ultimately, the patient's history and test results determine the diagnosis.
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Background: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is able to restore immune tolerance to allergens in allergic patients. However, some patients do not or only poorly respond to current treatment protocols. Therefore, there is a need for deeper mechanistic insights and further improvement of treatment strategies.

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Background: Flow cytometry-based basophil activation tests (BAT) have been performed with various modifications, differing in the use of distinct identification and activation markers. Established tests use liquid reagents while a new development involves the use of tubes with dried antibody reagents. The aim of this pilot study was to compare these two techniques in patients with insect venom allergy.

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Nature abounds with an unprecedented diversity of biomolecular innovation [...

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Background: In Hymenoptera venom allergy serologically double-sensitized patients, it is often difficult to identify the culprit insect for venom immunotherapy (VIT).

Objectives: To evaluate if basophil activation tests (BATs) performed not only with venom extracts but additionally with single component-resolved diagnostics could differentiate between sensitized and allergic individuals and how the test results influenced the physicians' decision regarding VIT.

Methods: BATs were performed with bee and wasp venom extracts and with single components (Api m 1, Api m 10, Ves v 1, and Ves v 5) in 31 serologically double-sensitized patients.

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Since the discovery of immunoglobulin E (IgE) as a mediator of allergic diseases in 1967, our knowledge about the immunological mechanisms of IgE-mediated allergies has remarkably increased. In addition to understanding the immune response and clinical symptoms, allergy diagnosis and management depend strongly on the precise identification of the elicitors of the IgE-mediated allergic reaction. In the past four decades, innovations in bioscience and technology have facilitated the identification and production of well-defined, highly pure molecules for component-resolved diagnosis (CRD), allowing a personalized diagnosis and management of the allergic disease for individual patients.

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MicroRNAs (miRs) have gained scientific attention due to their importance in the pathophysiology of allergic diseases as well as their potential as biomarkers in allergen-specific treatment options. Their function as post-transcriptional regulators, controlling various cellular processes, is of high importance since any single miR can target multiple mRNAs, often within the same signalling pathway. MiRs can alter dysregulated expression of certain cellular responses and contribute to or cause, but in some cases prevent or repress, the development of various diseases.

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Article Synopsis
  • The alpha-Gal epitope (α-Gal) can cause allergic reactions and organ transplant rejections because humans lack the enzyme needed to produce it due to evolutionary changes.
  • Up to 1% of human IgG antibodies target α-Gal, but the reason for this antibody response is not fully understood, with commensal bacteria being a possible factor.
  • The study introduces a new monoclonal IgG1 antibody (27H8) that specifically targets the α-Gal epitope, showing high affinity and revealing that certain intestinal bacteria previously thought to express α-Gal do not actually stain with this antibody.
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Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only currently available curative treatment option for allergic diseases. AIT often includes depot-forming and immunostimulatory adjuvants, to prolong allergen presentation and to improve therapeutic efficacy. The use of aluminium salts in AIT, which are commonly used as depot-forming adjuvants, is controversially discussed, due to health concerns and Th2-promoting activity.

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The airway epithelium provides the first line of defense to the surrounding environment. However, dysfunctions of this physical barrier are frequently observed in allergic diseases, which are tightly connected with pro- or anti-inflammatory processes. When the epithelial cells are confronted with allergens or pathogens, specific response mechanisms are set in motion, which in homeostasis, lead to the elimination of the invaders and leave permanent traces on the respiratory epithelium.

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Background: The α-Gal syndrome is associated with the presence of IgE directed to the carbohydrate galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal) and is characterized by a delayed allergic reaction occurring 2 to 6 hours after ingestion of mammalian meat. On the basis of their slow digestion and processing kinetics, α-Gal-carrying glycolipids have been proposed as the main trigger of the delayed reaction.

Objective: We analyzed and compared the in vitro allergenicity of α-Gal-carrying glycoproteins and glycolipids from natural food sources.

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Allergy to (European paper wasp) venom is of particular relevance in Southern Europe, potentially becoming a threat in other regions in the near future, and can be effectively cured by venom immunotherapy (VIT). As allergen content in extracts may vary and have an impact on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, the aim was to compare five therapeutic preparations for VIT of venom allergy available in Spain. Products from five different suppliers were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and LC-MS/MS and compared with a reference venom sample.

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Sensing of the intestinal microbiota by the host immune system is important to induce protective immune responses. Hence, modification of the gut microbiota might be able to prevent or treat allergies, mediated by proinflammatory Th2 immune responses. The aim was to investigate the ex vivo immunomodulatory effects of the synbiotics Pollagen® and Kallergen®, containing the probiotic bacterial strains Lactobacillus, Lacticaseibacillus and Bifidobacterium, in the context of grass pollen allergy.

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In this review, we outline and reflect on the important differences between allergen-specific immunotherapy for inhalant allergies (i.e., aeroallergens) and venom-specific immunotherapy (VIT), with a special focus on Venomil Bee and Wasp.

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Discriminating and spp. venom allergy is of growing importance worldwide, as systemic reactions to either species' sting can lead to severe outcomes. Administering the correct allergen-specific immunotherapy is therefore a prerequisite to ensure the safety and health of venom-allergic patients.

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Background: Native allergen extracts or chemically modified allergoids are routinely used to induce allergen tolerance in allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), although mechanistic side-by-side studies are rare. It is paramount to balance optimal dose and allergenicity to achieve efficacy warranting safety. AIT safety and efficacy could be addressed by allergen dose reduction and/or use of allergoids and immunostimulatory adjuvants, respectively.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study investigates how allergen exposure affects T 2 cell exhaustion during allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), focusing on mice and human patient cohorts.
  • Results show that proallergic T 2 cells increase exhaustion markers (CTLA-4 and PD-1) after allergen exposure but decrease after AIT, especially in local lung T 2 cells.
  • The findings highlight a difference in T 2 cell exhaustion patterns during AIT's up-dosing and maintenance phases, suggesting prolonged effects of treatment on T 2 cell populations.
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Background: The prevalence of allergy to cat is expanding worldwide. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) has advantages over symptomatic pharmacotherapy and promises long-lasting disease control in allergic patients. However, there is still a need to improve cat AIT regarding efficacy, safety, and adherence to the treatment.

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Allergic reactions to stings of Hymenoptera species may be severe and are potentially fatal deviations of the immunological response observed in healthy individuals. However, venom-specific immunotherapy (VIT) is an immunomodulatory approach able to cure venom allergy in the majority of affected patients. An appropriate therapeutic intervention and the efficacy of VIT not only depend on a conclusive diagnosis, but might also be influenced by the patient-specific manifestation of the disease.

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Purpose Of Review: Stings of Hymenoptera of the superfamily Vespoidea such as yellow jackets, paper wasps or stinging ants are common triggers for severe and even fatal allergic reactions. Antigen 5 allergens are potent allergens in the majority of these venoms with major importance for diagnosis and therapy. Reviewed here are the characteristics of antigen 5 allergens, their role in component-resolved diagnostics as well as current limitations of the available diagnostics for proper therapeutic decisions.

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Purpose Of Review: In Hymenoptera venom allergy, the research focus has moved from whole venoms to individual allergenic molecules. Api m 10 (icarapin) has been described as a major allergen of honeybee venom (HBV) with potentially high relevance for diagnostics and therapy of venom allergy. Here, we review recent studies on Api m 10 characteristics as well as its role in component-resolved diagnostics and potential implications for venom-specific immunotherapy (VIT).

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