sodium-dodecyl-sulfate and Asthma

Baking and food industry workers are exposed to several powdered Aspergillus-derived enzymes with carbohydrate-cleaving activity that are commonly used to enhance baked products. We describe a retrospective study of sensitization to fungal alpha-amylase and cellulase on bakers. Five bakers in whom respiratory allergy symptoms developed when they were exposed to bread "improvers" that contained fungal alpha-amylase and cellulase were investigated by in vivo and in vitro tests. Type I hypersensitivity to these enzymes was demonstrated in the five patients by means of skin testing, histamine release test, positive reverse enzyme-immunoassay for specific IgE antibodies, and bronchial provocation test response to alpha-amylase or cellulase or both. Isolated immediate and dual responses to the bronchial challenge tests with these enzymes were observed. Immunoblot analysis with use of a pooled serum identified IgE-binding components in both enzymes. In the reverse-enzyme immunoassay-inhibition assays cross-reactivity between alpha-amylase and cellulase was not found, but some degree of cross-reactivity between alpha-amylase and A. oryzae, and between cellulase and A. niger was demonstrated. Four of the patients were also sensitized to cereal flour. Aspergillus-derived enzymes used as flour additives can elicit IgE-mediated respiratory allergy, and this fact has to be considered in the diagnosis and clinical management of bakers' asthma.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Allergens; Amylases; Aspergillus; Asthma; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Cellulase; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Female; Food Additives; Histamine Release; Humans; Immunoblotting; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Immunoglobulin E; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Skin Tests; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

The interleukin-17 (IL-17) family of cytokines has emerged as a critical player in inflammatory diseases. Among them, IL-25 has been shown to be important in allergic inflammation and protection against parasitic infection. Here we have demonstrated that IL-17B, a poorly understood cytokine, functions to inhibit IL-25-driven inflammation. IL-17B and IL-25, both binding to the interleukin-17 receptor B (IL-17RB), were upregulated in their expression after acute colonic inflammation. Individual inhibition of these cytokines revealed opposing functions in colon inflammation: IL-25 was pathogenic but IL-17B was protective. Similarly opposing phenotypes were observed in Citrobacter rodentium infection and allergic asthma. Moreover, IL-25 was found to promote IL-6 production from colon epithelial cells, which was inhibited by IL-17B. Therefore, our data demonstrate that IL-17B is an anti-inflammatory cytokine in the IL-17 family.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Asthma; Cell Line; Citrobacter rodentium; Colitis; Dysbiosis; Enterobacteriaceae Infections; Epithelial Cells; Gene Expression Regulation; Interleukin-17; Interleukin-6; Interleukins; Intestinal Mucosa; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Ovalbumin; Protein Binding; Receptors, Interleukin-17; Signal Transduction; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Prevention strategies in atopic dermatitis (AD) using allergen avoidance have not been consistently effective. New research reveals the importance of the skin barrier in the development of AD and possibly food allergy and asthma. Correcting skin barrier defects from birth may prevent AD onset or moderate disease severity.. We sought to determine the feasibility of skin barrier protection as a novel AD prevention strategy.. We enrolled 22 neonates at high risk for developing AD in a feasibility pilot study using emollient therapy from birth.. No intervention-related adverse events occurred in our cohort followed up for a mean time of 547 days. Of the 20 subjects who remained in the study, 3 (15.0%) developed AD, suggesting a protective effect when compared with historical controls. Skin barrier measurements remained within ranges seen in normal-appearing skin.. No conclusions regarding efficacy can be made without a control group.. Skin barrier repair from birth represents a novel and feasible approach to AD prevention. Further studies are warranted to determine the efficacy of this approach.

Topics: Asthma; Dermatitis, Atopic; Drug Combinations; Emollients; Feasibility Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Food Hypersensitivity; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Pilot Projects; Primary Prevention; Propylene Glycols; Prospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Skin Absorption; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; Treatment Outcome

Our previous investigations demonstrated that citrus red mite (CRM) antigen could cause IgE-mediated bronchoconstriction in exposed farmers working on citrus farms.. This study was performed to confirm IgE-binding components and major allergens within the CRM antigens.. Ten subjects who had been diagnosed as having CRM-induced asthma were enrolled. Serum-specific IgE antibodies to CRM antigens were measured by using an ELISA. To identify IgE-binding components and major allergens, SDS-PAGE, 2-dimensional PAGE, IgE-immunoblot analysis, and amino acid sequencing of major allergens were performed.. All the asthmatic subjects had high specific IgE antibodies to CRMs. Twelve percent SDS-PAGE analysis showed more than 10 protein bands ranging from 6 to 64 kd. SDS-PAGE and IgE-immunoblot analysis with each individual serum showed 5 IgE-binding components (11, 24, 35, 40, and 64 kd), with 2 (24 and 35 kd) of them bound in more than 50% of the study subjects. Two-dimensional PAGE and IgE-immunoblot analysis demonstrated that the major allergen at 24 kd had 2 bands with different isoelectric points of 4.75 and 5.1. Thirty-five kilodaltons had one band with an isoelectric point of 4.75. All amino acid sequencing of the 2 major allergens was performed, which was not homologous with any previously characterized allergens.. Five IgE-binding components and 2 major allergens (24 and 35 kd) were identified within the CRM antigen. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 2 major allergens (24 and 35 kd) was determined.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Allergens; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Asthma; Citrus; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Female; Humans; Immunoblotting; Immunoglobulin E; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Sequence Data; Skin Tests; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; Trombiculidae

Carmine has been implicated as an etiologic agent of occupational asthma, but the allergens involved have not been yet identified.. To identify the allergens involved in occupational asthma due to carmine dye.. An in vitro study based in SDS-PAGE and IgE immunoblotting with carmine and cochineal extracts was performed. Sera from three carmine dye workers diagnosed with occupational asthma induced by carmine dye and from seven nonatopic subjects were used.. Three proteins of around 30, 28, and 17 kD in raw cochineal extract and another protein of 50 kD in the boiled one were demonstrated by SDS-PAGE. Two proteins of around 50 and 28 kD were observed in the carmine extract by the same technique. Specific IgE binding bands at 17 kD in cochineal raw extract, at 50 kD in the boiled one, and at 28 kD in carmine extract were demonstrated by IgE immunoblotting.. We have identified three allergens of around 17, 28, and 50 kD implicated in occupational asthma of three carmine workers.

Topics: Asthma; Carmine; Coloring Agents; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Humans; Immunoblotting; Immunoglobulin E; Occupational Diseases; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Occupational respiratory symptoms caused by decorative flowers are seldom reported in the literature. In our area a large portion of the population works in carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) winter quarters, and many workers have symptoms of rhinitis and asthma related to exposition.. The purposes of this study were to investigate whether the symptoms induced by carnation were IgE-mediated and to study the possible allergens involved.. A total of 16 subjects employed in indoor carnation cultivation with symptoms during exposition time were studied along with 15 patients with allergic asthma who were not exposed to carnations and 15 healthy carnation workers used as control subjects. Skin prick tests with carnation extract and RASTs were performed. Protein bands were isolated by SDS-PAGE, and afterwards immunoblotting was performed to characterize the extract. Specific nasal provocation and nonspecific bronchial provocation tests were performed for all the asthmatic patients. Diurnal variation in peak expiratory flow was also measured.. Skin prick test responses with carnation extract were positive in 15 of the 16 patients and negative in all control subjects. Nasal provocation test responses with carnation extract were positive in 13 of 16 patients. A significant correlation was seen between RAST and nasal provocation results (P <.01). Immunoblotting of sera from 13 patients showed 2 major IgE-binding fractions of 34 and 35 kd in most of the patients, which could constitute the major allergen. Methacholine PD20 showed a variable degree of nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness in all asthmatic subjects.. Data demonstrate the involvement of carnation in occupational allergy, mediated by an IgE-dependent mechanism.

Topics: Asthma; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; False Positive Reactions; Female; Humans; Immunoblotting; Male; Nasal Provocation Tests; Occupational Diseases; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; Plant Extracts; Radioallergosorbent Test; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Skin Tests; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Several egg white and egg yolk and avian proteins have been described as a cause of inhalant allergy. Sometimes inhalational type I hypersensitivity to these proteins is associated with food allergy to egg.. We studied two patients who experienced respiratory and food allergic symptoms upon exposure to egg or avian antigens through the inhalative or digestive routes. Clinical and immunological studies were carried out in order to identify individual allergens from these sources that could be responsible for crossreactivity reactions.. Patient 1 showed IgE sensitization to egg yolk livetins, feathers, and chicken serum. Specific bronchial challenge with chicken albumin and livetin extracts elicited a positive early asthmatic response and an increase in serum eosinophil cationic protein. Immunoblot and CAP-inhibition studies in this patient supported that chicken albumin (alpha-livetin) was the crossreactive antigen present in egg yolk and chicken serum and feathers. Patient 2 showed sensitization to egg white, ovomucoid and lysozyme. However, SDS-PAGE and immunoblot studies demonstrated contaminating lysozyme in the ovomucoid extract and identified lysozyme as the main allergen causing egg sensitization in this patient. Conjunctival challenge test confirmed allergy to lysozyme.. Egg yolk and egg white proteins may act not only as ingested allergens but also as aeroallergens. Immunological studies using highly purified preparations of egg proteins are useful for the accurate diagnosis of allergic reactions to egg proteins and to identify individual allergens that may be responsible for crossreactivity reactions.

Topics: Adult; Allergens; Antibodies; Asthma; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Conjunctiva; Conjunctivitis, Allergic; Egg Proteins; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Female; Food Hypersensitivity; Histamine Release; Humans; Immunoblotting; Immunoglobulin E; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Skin Tests; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

To evaluate type I hypersensitivity to grain dust (GD), its prevalence and relationship to respiratory dysfunction, we studied clinical and immunologic features, including skin prick tests (SPT), serum specific IgE, and bronchoprovocation tests of 43 employees working in the animal feed industry. To further characterize IgE-mediated reaction, SDS-PAGE and electroblot studies were performed. Our survey revealed that 15 (34.9%) subjects had work-related skin response (> or =2+ of A/H ratio) to GD, thirteen (30.2%) had high specific IgE antibody against GD. The specific IgE antibody was detected more frequently in symptomatic workers (40%) than in asymptomatic workers (11%). Significant association was found between specific IgE antibody and atopy or smoking (p<0.05). The ELISA inhibition test of GD revealed significant inhibitions by GD extract and minimal inhibitions by the house dust mite, storage mite and corn dust. Immunoblot analysis showed 8 IgE binding components within GD ranging from 13.5 to 142.5 kDa. Two bands (13.5, 33 kDa) were bound to the IgE from more than 50% of the 14 sera tested. In conclusion, these findings suggest that GD inhalation could induce IgE-mediated bronchoconstriction in exposed workers.

Topics: Antibody Specificity; Asthma; Dust; Edible Grain; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Immunoblotting; Immunoglobulin E; Male; Occupational Diseases; Skin Tests; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Asthma and chronic bronchitis are inflammatory diseases with extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and collagen deposition. Collagen homeostasis is controlled by metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). We evaluated MMP and TIMP balance in induced sputum of 10 control, 31 untreated asthmatic, and 16 chronic bronchitic subjects. We first performed zymographic analysis to identify the profile of MMPs. Zymography revealed a similar MMPs profile in all populations studied and that MMP-9 was the major enzyme released. We then measured, using enzyme immunoassay, the concentrations of MMP-9 and of its inhibitor TIMP-1 and evaluated whether airflow limitation may be associated with an imbalance between these enzymes. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 concentrations were greater in sputum of patients with asthma and chronic bronchitis than in control subjects. The molar ratio between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 was lower in asthmatics and chronic bronchitics than in control subjects, and positively correlated with FEV1 values. In asthma, MMP-9 levels were significantly correlated with the number of macrophages and neutrophils. This study shows that airway inflammation in asthma and chronic bronchitis is associated with an imbalance between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 which may have a role in the pathogenesis of ECM remodeling and airflow obstruction.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Airway Obstruction; Asthma; Bronchitis; Cell Count; Chronic Disease; Collagen; Collagenases; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Extracellular Matrix; Forced Expiratory Volume; Homeostasis; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Macrophages; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; Protease Inhibitors; Pulmonary Ventilation; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; Sputum; Surface-Active Agents; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1

There have been some reports of corn dust-induced occupational asthma that suggest nonimmunologic mechanism. In this paper, we present a case of occupational asthma and rhinitis caused by corn dust where bronchoconstriction was induced by an IgE-mediated reaction.. The patient had positive responses to weed and grass pollens as well as corn dust extracts. The bronchoprovocation test elicited an early asthmatic response to corn dust extracts. Serum-specific IgE and IgG4 antibodies to corn dust extracts were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In order to identify further the allergenic component of the extracts, sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and electroblotting studies were performed. Ten IgE-binding components (9 to 140 kD) were detected within the corn dust extracts.. These results suggest that inhalation of corn dust can cause IgE-mediated bronchoconstriction in an exposed worker.

Topics: Adult; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; Antibody Specificity; Asthma; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Dust; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Humans; Immunoblotting; Immunoglobulin E; Male; Occupational Diseases; Protein Binding; Rhinitis; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; Zea mays

No literature data are available on the skin reactivity of patients with respiratory atopy alone.. Our purpose was to assess skin reactivity to detergents in patients with allergic asthma, rhinitis, or both.. The skin of the volar aspect of the forearm of 19 subjects with allergic asthma or rhinitis (or both) was challenged with a single exposure to 0.5% sodium lauryl sulfate. The skin response was evaluated by transepidermal water loss (TEWL), capacitance, and echogenicity measurements. Results were compared with those obtained in 19 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and 20 healthy subjects.. In patients with AD preexposure TEWL values were higher than in healthy subjects, whereas capacitance values were lower. In this patient group, postexposure TEWL, capacitance, and echogenicity values showed more pronounced variations than in healthy subjects. Conversely, in patients with allergic asthma or rhinitis (or both), both baseline and postexposure TEWL, capacitance, and echogenicity values were similar to those in healthy subjects.. Patients with respiratory atopy without AD do not have the functional abnormalities characteristic of skin affected by AD, either under baseline conditions or after exposure to sodium lauryl sulfate.

Topics: Adult; Asthma; Dermatitis, Atopic; Detergents; Electric Conductivity; Female; Humans; Immunization; Male; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Skin; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; Ultrasonography; Water Loss, Insensible

Airborne soybean allergens in the dust generated during the unloading of soybeans in the harbor caused asthma epidemics in Barcelona, Spain. The major allergen causing the epidemics was a glycopeptide less than 14 kd molecular mass abundant in soybean dust. This allergen occurs in all parts of the soybean plant at all stages of growth, but the telae (hulls) and pods are by far the richest source. Small amounts of a similar cross-reacting allergen are found in some other grain dusts. The botanical function and significance of this soybean plant component is not known nor is the potential for airborne dispersion of this allergen at other grain-handling sites.

Topics: Air Pollution; Allergens; Asthma; Dust; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Glycine max; Glycopeptides; Humans; Radioallergosorbent Test; Regression Analysis; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Asthma epidemics in Barcelona, Spain, have been attributed to dust generated by the unloading of soybeans in the harbor. Sera of four different groups of 10 subjects in each group were studied: (1) patients attending an emergency room in Barcelona for an asthma attack on epidemic days, group A, (2) patients attending an emergency room for an attack on nonepidemic days, group B, (3) patients with asthma from other cities, group C, and (4) patients without asthma from Barcelona matched by age and sex with group A, group D. All subjects in group A had IgE to allergens in extracts of various soybean samples. In contrast, only one of the 10 subjects in each of groups B and C and none of those subjects in group D had IgE to uncleaned bean and hull extracts. Radioimmunoassay demonstrated that in sera from patients with asthma during an asthma outbreak reacted primarily to soybean hull and dust extracts. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide and gel electrophoresis thin-layer isoelectrofocusing demonstrated protein bands of 97.4 to less than 14.4 kd and isoelectric point between 6 and 3.5. By Western blot and thin layer isoelectrofocusing/blotted radioimmunoisoelectrofocusing, IgE of patients with asthma during an asthma outbreak reacted weakly to two protein bands of molecular weight ranging from 42 to 21 kd, strongly to glycoprotein bands with molecular weight less than 14.4 kd, and isoelectric point less than 6, which appeared to be the major allergens.

Topics: Adolescent; Allergens; Antibody Specificity; Asthma; Cross Reactions; Disease Outbreaks; Dust; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Glycine max; Humans; Immunoblotting; Immunoglobulin E; Isoelectric Focusing; Radioimmunoassay; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; Spain