Allergology International
Online ISSN : 1440-1592
Print ISSN : 1323-8930
ISSN-L : 1323-8930
Volume 63, Issue Supplement.1
Displaying 1-12 of 12 articles from this issue
PREFACE
REVIEW ARTICLE
  • Tomohiro Yoshimoto, Kazufumi Matsushita
    2014 Volume 63 Issue Supplement.1 Pages S3-S11
    Published: 2014
    Released on J-STAGE: May 26, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    We propose two types of allergic response: IgE-dependent and IgE-independent, and designate these as ‘acquired-type allergy’ and ‘innate-type allergy’, respectively. IL-33 stimulates both innate (basophils, mast cells, or group 2 innate lymphoid cells) and acquired (Th2 cells) allergy-related cells to induce and/or augment Th2 cytokine production, which leads to eosinophilic inflammation in vivo. Thus, IL-33 is an essential regulator for both ‘innate-type allergy’ and ‘acquired-type allergy’, and might be an attractive therapeutic target for allergic diseases.
    Download PDF (846K)
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Katsunori Masaki, Yusuke Suzuki, Shizuko Kagawa, Motohiro Kodama, Hiro ...
    2014 Volume 63 Issue Supplement.1 Pages S13-S22
    Published: 2014
    Released on J-STAGE: May 26, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Background: Interleukin (IL)-23/Th17 axis plays an important role in the pathophysiology of asthma and eczema, however, there are some conflicting data about the effects of this system on allergic airway inflammation. In the present study, we aim to dissect the spatiotemporal differences in the roles of IL-23 in an epicutaneously-sensitized asthma model of mice.
    Methods: C57BL/6 mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) by patch application on the skin, followed by airway exposure to aerosolized OVA. During sensitization and/or challenge phase, either a specific neutralizing antibody (Ab) against IL-23 or control IgG was injected intraperitoneally. On days 1 and 8 after the final OVA exposure, airway inflammation and responsiveness to methacholine, immunoglobulin levels in serum, and cytokine release from splenocytes were evaluated. Skin Il23a mRNA levels were evaluated with quantitative RT-PCR.
    Results: Patch application time-dependently increased the expression of Il23a mRNA expression in the skin. Treatment with the anti-IL-23 Ab during sensitization phase alone significantly reduced the number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and peribronchial spaces after allergen challenge compared with treatment with control IgG. Anti-IL-23 Ab also reduced serum levels of OVA-specific IgG1. In contrast, treatment with the anti-IL-23 Ab during the challenge phase alone rather exacerbated airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine with little effects on airway eosinophilia or serum IgG1 levels.
    Conclusions: IL-23 expressed in the skin during the sensitization phase plays an essential role in the development of allergic phenotypes, whereas IL-23 in the airways during the challenge phase suppresses airway hyperresponsiveness.
    Download PDF (429K)
  • Masahiko Kato, Yoshiyuki Yamada, Kenichi Maruyama, Yasuhide Hayashi
    2014 Volume 63 Issue Supplement.1 Pages S23-S28
    Published: 2014
    Released on J-STAGE: May 26, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Background: Epidemiological evidence indicates that the age at onset of asthma and allergen sensitization in early life is decreasing in people from Western countries. To explore latent trends, we conducted a retrospective examination of the age at onset of asthma and specific IgE antibodies against inhalant allergens in Japanese asthmatic children.
    Methods: We conducted a case series study of 103 consecutive children with atopic type of asthma (aged 2 years to 16 years, mean age 9.4 ± 3.4 years). Diagnoses of asthma and allergic rhinitis were defined according to Japanese guidelines. The onset of asthma and allergic rhinitis was also defined as any report of asthma and allergic rhinitis confirmed by a physician. Allergen sensitization was evaluated as specific serum IgE levels for 9 common inhalant allergens in peripheral blood. Atopic type of asthma was defined as a being positive for at least one aeroallergen.
    Results: Mean age at asthma onset was 2.3 ± 1.9 years, which is slightly lower than that of previous reports, including those published in Japan. A high prevalence rate of up to 80% was found for perennial antigens including Dermatophagoides spp. and house dust, as reported previously. Notably, some of the children aged at 1 year tested positive for these allergens.
    Conclusions: The age at onset of asthma seems to be decreasing in comparison with previous reports. Furthermore, the age at onset of allergen sensitization against inhalant allergens appears to follow this trend.
    Download PDF (266K)
  • Tomoe Nishimura, Mayumi Saeki, Yuji Motoi, Noriko Kitamura, Akio Mori, ...
    2014 Volume 63 Issue Supplement.1 Pages S29-S35
    Published: 2014
    Released on J-STAGE: May 26, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Background: The eosinophil is deeply associated with the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma and other allergic diseases. We recently identified a novel eosinophil-specific cell surface molecule, major facilitator super family domain containing 10 (Mfsd10). A monoclonal antibody (mAb) against Mfsd10 (M2) showed selective binding and neutralizing activities for eosinophils. However, the relative potency of the blockage of Mfsd10 and other eosinophil-specific molecules for the treatment of allergic diseases has not been evaluated. Therefore, in this study, the effects of M2 and an anti-Siglec-F mAb on antigen-immunized and antigen-specific Th2 cell-transferred murine eosinophilic inflammation models were comparatively investigated.
    Methods: Ovalbumin (OVA)-specific Th2 cells were differentiated from naïve CD4+ T cells of DO11.10/RAG-2-/- mice in vitro and cytokine producing activity of the Th2 cells was examined. OVA-immunized and Th2 cell-transferred BALB/c mice were treated with M2 or anti-Siglec-F and challenged with OVA. Then the number of inflammatory cells and the concentration of IL-5 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined.
    Results: Antigen-specific Th2 cells produced large amounts of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 but not IL-17A or IFN-γ. Administration of M2 significantly suppressed antigen-induced lung eosinophil infiltration both in OVA-immunized and Th2 cell-transferred mice. The potency as well as selectivity of M2 for down-regulating eosinophils was quite similar to that of anti-Siglec-F. Both mAbs did not affect antigen-induced IL-5 production in the lungs.
    Conclusions: Mfsd10 as well as Siglec-F could be an effective target to treat eosinophil-related disorders including bronchial asthma.
    Download PDF (120K)
  • Reiko Ito, Yasuhiro Gon, Satoshi Nunomura, Ryo Atsuta, Norihiro Harada ...
    2014 Volume 63 Issue Supplement.1 Pages S37-S47
    Published: 2014
    Released on J-STAGE: May 26, 2014
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Background: Omalizumab, a monoclonal anti-IgE antibody, is currently indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe allergic asthma. To measure active IgE levels in sera from patients treated with omalizumab, the IgE subfraction in complex with omalizumab should be eliminated from total IgE, and free IgE levels can then be determined. With the aim of therapeutic monitoring for anti-IgE therapy, we developed a new ELISA for free IgE.
    Methods: We used recombinant human soluble FcεRIα as a capture antigen and a biotinylated polyclonal anti-IgE antibody for detection. Using the newly developed ELISA, we measured the serum free IgE levels weekly in four asthmatic patients after their first omalizumab injection. We also measured the serum free IgE levels in 54 patients treated with omalizumab for over 4 weeks.
    Results: This assay was technically robust, the mean recovery rate in serum was 93.16% ± 5.34%. For all patients, omalizumab treatment significantly reduced serum free IgE levels prior to the second omalizumab injection. To maintain the benefit of omalizumab, serum free IgE concentrations should be <50ng/ml. However, in14 of 54 patients treated with omalizumab for over 4 weeks, serum free IgE concentrations measured by our ELISA were >50ng/ml.
    Conclusions: Our data suggest that the measurement of free IgE levels using our newly developed ELISA would be useful for monitoring serum free IgE levels during omalizumab therapy.
    Download PDF (331K)
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
feedback
Top