Artemisia Pollen Extracts Exposed to Diesel Exhaust Enhance Airway Inflammation and Immunological Imbalance in Asthmatic Mice Model.

Background: Vehicle-induced air pollution may increase the prevalence and severity of asthma. Pollens are important sources of outdoor allergens associated with asthma. Outdoor pollution may influence the structure of pollen grains, resulting in enhanced immune reactions.

The prevalence and sex difference of allergen sensitization among adult patients with allergic diseases in Shanghai, China.

Background: The worldwide prevalence of allergic diseases has increased during the last few decades, but it is not well known about the sensitization profiles of adult patients in Shanghai.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the prevalence and sex difference of allergen sensitization among adult with allergic diseases in Shanghai.

Methods: The sensitization profiles of 7,996 patients (18-60 yrs old) with allergic diseases at our center were retrospectively analyzed, based on the results of skin prick tests.

Oxidative stress status in umbilical cord blood from neonates born to mothers with atopic asthma.

Objective: Our objective was to assess the oxidative stress status and analyse the relationship between an oxidant/antioxidant imbalance and the mediator release properties of cord blood basophils from neonates born to mothers with atopic asthma.

Methods: Cord blood was collected from the neonates of 16 asthmatic mothers and 18 healthy mothers Basophils were purified and stimulated by Dermatophagoides farinae (Df), hyperosmotic mannitol or peptidoglycan (PGN). Immunoblotting detected nuclear factor κB (NFκB) as a measure of functional receptor response.

The effect of stimuli on basophil-mediated atopic responses during asthmatic lying-in women and in newborns.

Morbidity from allergic diseases is increasing. Basophils play a critical role in systemic anaphylaxis and chronic allergic inflammation. The prenatal environment must be regarded as a possible early risk factor for allergic diseases in children.

The effect of peptidoglycan stimulation on basophil-mediated atopic responses during pregnancy and in newborns.

Background: Toll-like receptor (TLR) molecules play critical roles in directing the course of atopic diseases by recognizing specific microbial products that activate immune effector cell function.

Objective: We determined if basophils harvested from neonates genetically predisposed to atopic disease had different levels of TLR2 expression and determined whether putative TLR2 ligands mediated cytokine secretion.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 10 asthmatic and 12 healthy women and their newborns.

Method for umbilical cord blood-derived basophils by FCM.

We have devised a method for the purification of human basophils from umbilical cord blood by FCM. Umbilical cord blood was collected from six healthy, full-term deliveries. After separation of red blood cells, mononuclear cells were isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque.

[Expression of T-bet, GATA-3 and FOXP3 mRNA in asthmatic peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by Dermatophagoides farinae antigen].

Objective: To study the expression of T-bet, GATA-3 and FOXP3 mRNA in asthmatic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) before and after stimulation by Dermatophagoides farinae antigen (Df), and the relationship among the three transcription factors.

Methods: Twenty-five patients of asthma and 15 healthy controls were included. The mRNA levels of T-bet, GATA-3, and FOXP3 in PBMC before and after Df stimulation were detected by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chair reaction (RT-PCR).

[The specific IgE responses to three cockroach strains antigens in patients with asthma].

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to determine the cross-reactive allergens from three strains of cockroach (Periplaneta americana, Periplaneta fuliginosa and Blattella germanica) by human serum specific IgE (sIgE) in allergic asthma.

Methods: The allergens were extracted from Periplaneta americana, Periplaneta fuliginosa and Blattella germanica respectively. Serum sIgE of allergic asthma was determined with ELISA.