Inhibition of IL-4/IL-13 does not enhance the efficacy of allergen immunotherapy in murine allergic airway inflammation.

Background: Successful allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) is associated with reduced Th2 cytokine production and the induction of IL-10-producing regulatory T cells. To improve treatment efficacy, we investigated the impact of an IL-4/IL-13 inhibitor during SIT.

Methods: BALB/c mice were sensitized intranasally with ovalbumin (OVA) for 4 weeks.

[Systemic mastocytosis. Classification, symptoms, therapy].

Background: Systemic mastocytoses are a group of diseases, which are characterized by accumulation and unusual growth of mast cells infiltrating two different organs or types of tissue. Two case reports are introduced.

Classification: According to the new WHO classification of 2000, mastocytoses are separated into cutaneous and systemic mastocytoses.

Inhibition of the IL-4/IL-13 receptor system prevents allergic sensitization without affecting established allergy in a mouse model for allergic asthma.

Background: IL-4 and IL-13 are considered as key regulators for the development of atopic disease.

Objective: This study addresses the therapeutic potential of an IL-4/IL-13 inhibitor on the basis of a mutated IL-4 variant (Q116D, Y119D) during allergic sensitization and in established disease in a murine asthma model with persistent airway pathologic condition.

Methods: BALB/c mice were sensitized with ovalbumin intranasally.

Infection with influenza a virus leads to flu antigen-induced cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice.

It is well established, that viral infections may trigger urticaria or allergic asthma; however, as viral infections induce T helper 1 polarized responses, which lead to the inhibition of T helper 2 cell development, the opposite would be plausible. We wanted to investigate how viral infections may mediate allergic symptoms in a mouse model; therefore, we infected BALB/C mice with influenza A virus intranasally. Histologic analyses of lung sections and bronchoalveolar lavages were performed.