Publications by authors named "Ze-Lang Cai"

Background: House dust mites (HDMs), including (Der p) and (Der f) species, represent a major source of inhalant allergens that induce IgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions. HDM allergen identification is important to the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases. Here, we report the identification of a novel HDM allergen, which we suggest naming Der f 40, and its immunodominant IgE epitopes.

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Article Synopsis
  • Immunoglobulin (Ig)E triggers mast cell activation, leading to allergic reactions, and this study investigates how the isoflavone formononetin (FNT) impacts this process.
  • FNT reduces the release of key inflammatory substances like histamine and cytokines in stimulated mast cells and decreases signaling pathways that promote inflammation.
  • In mice, oral FNT administration lessens allergic reactions, suggesting that targeting the natural compound and specific proteases involved in IgE signaling could help manage allergy symptoms.
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Background: House dust mites (HDMs) are the main source of indoor inhalatory allergens that cause IgE-mediated allergic diseases. The discovery and identification of HDM allergens are important for the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases.

Objective: We sought to identify a Group 39 (Der p) allergen, namely Der p 39, and explore its immunodominant IgE epitopes.

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Mast cells (MCs) are the main effector cells in the onset of high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcεRI)-mediated allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to test whether dihydrocoumarin (DHC), a food flavoring agent derived from , can block IgE-induced MC activation effects and to examine the potential molecular mechanisms by which DHC affects MC activation. Rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBLs) and mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) were sensitized with anti-dinitrophenol (DNP) immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibodies, stimulated with DNP-human serum albumin antigen, and treated with DHC.

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Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is an allergic immunological response to Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) exposure, which induces a strong T helper 2 (Th2) response via mechanisms that have yet to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that T2 ribonuclease from Af (Af RNASET2) induces M2‑type macrophage polarization to produce a T helper 2 (Th2) immune response. Recombinant Af RNASET2 (rAf RNASET2) was expressed and purified in a prokaryotic pET system and BALB/c mice were immunized with rAf RNASET2 for in vivo analyses.

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Previously, a ubiquinol‑cytochrome c reductase binding protein (UQCRB) homolog was identified in the house dust mite (HDM) species Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f) as a major allergen. In the present study, the immunodominant immunoglobulin E (IgE) epitope of the protein Der f 24 was investigated. Analysis of the homologous amino acid (aa) sequences in Der f and human UQCRB was performed.

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Background: The identification of house dust mite (HDM) allergens and epitopes is important for allergy diagnosis and treatment. We sought to identify the group 24 allergen (Der p 24) and to identify its immunodominant IgE epitope(s).

Methods: Der p 24 cDNA was cloned and expressed in a pET expression system.

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Background: A sequenced house dust mite (HDM) genome would advance our understanding of HDM allergens, a common cause of human allergies.

Objective: We sought to produce an annotated Dermatophagoides farinae draft genome and develop a combined genomic-transcriptomic-proteomic approach for elucidation of HDM allergens.

Methods: A D farinae draft genome and transcriptome were assembled with high-throughput sequencing, accommodating microbiome sequences.

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