Safety evaluation of a whey protein fraction containing a concentrated amount of naturally occurring TGF-β2.

TM0601p is a whey protein isolate derived from cow milk, containing a concentrated amount of transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2), and is intended for nutritional use in infants and adults. In vivo and in vitro studies have been performed to evaluate the safety of this product. In a 13-week toxicity study, treatment of adult Sprague-Dawley rats by gavage at up to 2000mg/kg/day did not result in any significant findings other than minor non-adverse changes in urinary parameters in females.

Translating reference doses into allergen management practice: challenges for stakeholders.

Risk assessment describes the impact of a particular hazard as a function of dose and exposure. It forms the foundation of risk management and contributes to the overall decision-making process, but is not its endpoint. This paper outlines a risk analysis framework to underpin decision-making in the area of allergen cross-contact.

Allergic Responses Induced by a Fungal Biopesticide Metarhizium anisopliae and House Dust Mite Are Compared in a Mouse Model.

Biopesticides can be effective in controlling their target pest. However, research regarding allergenicity and asthma development is limited. We compared the ability of fungal biopesticide Metarhizium anisopliae (MACA) and house dust mite (HDM) extracts to induce allergic responses in BALB/c mice.

The relative allergenicity of Stachybotrys chartarum compared to house dust mite extracts in a mouse model.

A report by the Institute of Medicine suggested that more research is needed to better understand mold effects on allergic disease, particularly asthma development. The authors compared the ability of the fungus Stachybotrys chartarum (SCE) and house dust mite (HDM) extracts to induce allergic responses in BALB/c mice. The extracts were administered by intratracheal aspiration (IA) at several doses (0, 2.

Human serum IgE reacts with a Metarhizium anisopliae fungal catalase.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that Metarhizium anisopliae extract can induce responses characteristic of human allergic asthma in a mouse model. The study objectives were (1) to identify and characterize the M. anisopliae mycelia extract (MYC) proteins that are recognized by mouse serum IgE, (2) to determine if human serum IgE reacts with these proteins, and (3) to determine if these IgE-reactive proteins are found in other fungi.

Differential allergy responses to Metarhizium anisopliae fungal component extracts in BALB/c mice.

Intratracheal aspiration (IA) exposure to Metarhizium anisopliae crude antigen (MACA), which is composed of equal protein amounts of mycelium (MYC), conidia (CON) and inducible proteases/chitinases (IND) extracts/filtrates, has resulted in responses characteristic of human allergic asthma in mice. The study objective was to evaluate the potential of each component extract to induce allergic/asthma-like responses observed in this mouse model. BALB/c mice received 4 IA exposures to MACA, CON, MYC, IND, or bovine serum albumin (BSA; negative control) or appropriate vehicle control or inflammatory control over a 4-wk period.

Increased neurotrophin production in a Penicillium chrysogenum-induced allergic asthma model in mice.

Neurotrophins, including nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and neurotrophin (NT)-3, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many features and symptoms of asthma. The role of neurotrophins in fungal allergic asthma, however, is unknown. Repeated pulmonary challenge with Penicillium chrysogenum extract (PCE) induces dose-dependent allergic asthma-like responses in mice.

Dose-dependent allergic responses to an extract of Penicillium chrysogenum in BALB/c mice.

Indoor mold has been associated with the development of allergic asthma. Penicillium chrysogenum, a common indoor mold, is known to have several allergens and can induce allergic responses in a mouse model of allergic penicilliosis. Our hypothesis is that soluble components of P.

Expression of interleukin-6 is greater in preadipocytes than in adipocytes of 3T3-L1 cells and C57BL/6J and ob/ob mice.

Inflammation plays a major role in the development of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. Further, it was demonstrated that obese animals and humans have significantly higher levels of circulating proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6). The aim of this study was to determine whether adipose tissue could be a major source of circulating IL-6 in leptin-deficient obese (ob/ob) mice by comparing the expression of IL-6 in different tissues of ob/ob mice.

Transcriptional and posttranscriptional roles for p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in upregulation of TNF-alpha expression by deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin).

Deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) is a trichothecene mycotoxin that potentially mediates toxicity by upregulating proinflammatory cytokine gene expression in vitro and in vivo. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that DON-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) mediates transcriptional and posttranscriptional upregulation of TNF-alpha gene expression. RNAse protection assay revealed that DON at 100 to 500 ng/ml induced mRNA expression of TNF-alpha as well as IL-6, IFN-gamma, TGFbeta-1, and TGFbeta-3 and that these effects were potentiated by 100 ng/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Up-regulation of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and complement 3A receptor by the trichothecenes deoxynivalenol and satratoxin G.

The trichothecenes are a group of mycotoxins that target leukocytes and have a wide range of immunomodulatory effects. Differential display analysis was applied to assess the effects of the trichothecenes deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin, DON) and satratoxin G (SG), on mRNA in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line.

Modulation of lipopolysaccharide-induced proinflammatory cytokine production by satratoxins and other macrocyclic trichothecenes in the murine macrophage.

The satratoxins and other macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins are produced by Stachybotrys, a mold that is often found in water-damaged dwellings and office buildings. To test the potential immunomodulatory effects of these mycotoxins, RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells were treated with various concentrations of satratoxin G (SG), isosatratoxin F (iSF), satratoxin H (SH), roridin A (RA), and verrucarin A (VA) for 48 h in the presence or absence of suboptimal concentra-tion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 50 ng/ml), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha ) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Immunochemical Assay for Satratoxin G and other Macrocyclic Trichothecenes Associated with Indoor Air Contamination by Stachybotrys chartarum.

Although satratoxin G (SG) is the primary macrocyclic trichothecene produced by Stachybotrys chartarum, a fungus frequently associated with outbreaks of indoor air illness, little is known about the actual quantities of this mycotoxin in suspect or normal building environments. Using antibodies produced against an SG hemisuccinate-bovine serum albumin conjugate, we devised an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that enabled the detection of as little as 100 pg/mL of SG and that could also detect other members of the satratoxin family. Detection by this assay of satratoxins in methanolic extracts of S.