Th2 cell differentiation from naive CD4 T cells is enhanced by autocrine CC chemokines in atopic diseases.

Background: Chemokines are involved not only in regulating leucocyte recruitment, but also in other activities. However, functions other than cell recruitment remain poorly understood. We have already shown that the production of CC chemokine ligand (CCL)17 and CCL22 by antigen-stimulated naïve CD4  T cells was higher in asthmatic patients than in healthy controls.

Heat shock protein 70 gene polymorphisms in Japanese patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

Background: Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is nonatopic asthma, and the role of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 in AERD remains unknown. We analyzed HSP70 gene polymorphisms in Japanese patients with AERD.

Methods: The single-nucleotide polymorphisms in HSPA1B-179C>T and 1267A>G gene were examined in patients with AERD and those with aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA).

IL-13 and IL-17A gene polymorphisms in Japanese patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

Background: The role of interleukin (IL) 13 and IL-17A in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) remains unknown.

Objective: To analyze the IL-13 and IL-17A gene polymorphisms in Japanese patients with AERD.

Methods: The single-nucleotide polymorphisms in each gene were examined in patients with AERD, patients with aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA), and healthy controls.

Thromboxane A2 receptor +795T>C and chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells -466T>C gene polymorphisms in patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

It is well known that aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is more common in women than in men, however, whether gene polymorphisms of the thromboxane A2 receptor (TBXA2R) and chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecules expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2) are associated with the susceptibility of AERD remains unknown. In this study, we examined the gene polymorphisms in a Japanese population. DNA specimens were obtained from the following three groups: 96 patients with AERD, 500 patients with aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA) and 100 normal controls.

Arg16Gly β2-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism in Japanese patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

Background: There has been no report that investigated β(2)-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene polymorphism in patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD).

Methods: DNA in the specimens in three groups of study subjects classified patients with AERD, patients with aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA) and normal controls was extracted, and the target DNA sequence of the ADRB2 was amplified using a set of primers to generate an amplicon of 219 bp in length. Allelic discrimination assay for single nucleotide polymorphisms relating to the ADRB2 gene expression was carried out by using a previously described single nucleotide polymorphism detective system, sequence-specific thermal-elution chromatography.

Effects of pranlukast hydrate on airway hyperresponsiveness in non-asthmatic patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis.

Background: Recent studies have suggested that allergic rhinitis is closely related to bronchial asthma, reflecting the "one airway-one disease" hypothesis. It is unclear if the effects of pranlukast, a leukotriene-receptor antagonist, are consistent with this hypothesis.

Objective: The goal of the study was to determine if pranlukast has effects on the upper and lower airways through a comparison of the effects of fexofenadine and pranlukast on airway hyperresponsiveness in non-asthmatic patients with cedar pollinosis before the Japanese cedar pollen season and during the peak pollen season.