Local fungus-specific Immunoglobulin E production in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a heterogeneous disease, and its pathogenesis remains controversial. This study aimed to examine the involvement of fungi in CRSwNP pathogenesis. METHODS: We enrolled 29 controls and 111 CRSwNP patients. We analyzed fungi in the nasal secretions, serum fungus-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, and nasal polyp (NP) IgE levels. Moreover, we evaluated the correlation between patients' IgE levels and computed tomography (CT) scores. RESULTS: There was no difference in fungal detection rate between CRSwNP patients with and without asthma. Specific IgEs against various antigens were highly detectable in NPs of CRSwNP patients. In CRSwNP patients, fungus-specific IgE levels in NPs were correlated with CT scores. Serum fungus-specific IgEs became undetectable after operation in more than half of the CRSwNP patients without asthma but not in those with asthma. Other serum airborne antigen-specific IgEs did not become undetectable after operation. CONCLUSIONS: Fungus-specific IgEs were highly detectable in NPs of CRSwNP patients, and NPs comprised a major region of specific IgE production. Fungi may therefore play an important role in CRSwNP pathogenesis by inducing Th2 immune responses, including IgE synthesis.

Pathogenicity of memory Th2 cells is linked to stage of allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) consists of three developmental stages that are based on the presence/absence of antigen-specific IgE and symptoms. The pathogenic Th2 (Tpath2) cells constitute a population of Th2 cells with additional potentially pathogenic characteristics. We examined the relationship between Tpath2 cells and the stages of allergic rhinitis by focusing on ST2, which is an IL-33 receptor. METHODS: Patients with Japanese cedar pollen-induced AR (JCP-AR) and healthy volunteers were divided into "nonsensitized," "asymptomatic sensitized (AS)," and "JCP-AR" groups. We analyzed the ST2 expression and the Th2 function of cultured CD4+ T cells. Next, we observed the progress of patients in the AS stage around the time of seasonal pollen dispersal, with the characteristics of Th2 cells. RESULTS: The ST2 expression of T cells was only upregulated in the AR group. The production of IL-4 and IL-13 was found in CD4+ T cells obtained from AS by stimulation with JCP, but reactivity to IL-33 was not observed. Although IL-33 did not induce the elevation of IL-4 production in the JCP-AR group, IL-33 substantially increased the production of IL-5 and IL-13 in comparison with antigen stimulation alone. In newly afflicted patients, the increased expression of ST2 and elevated reactivity to IL-33 was observed, even before the pollen dispersal season. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that the pathogenicity of memory Th2 cells is linked to sensitization and the stage of allergic rhinitis. Therefore, Tpath2 cells may provide useful insights into the mechanism of the onset and progression of allergic rhinitis.

Identification of specifically reduced Th2 cell subsets in allergic rhinitis patients after sublingual immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Although Th2 cells are well known to play important roles in allergic diseases including allergic rhinitis (AR), the factors that induce and sustain the pathogenesis of AR remain unclear. The recent development of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is expected to allow changes to the underlying pathogenesis of AR. However, which Th2 cell subsets are important in house dust mite-induced AR (HDM-AR), the influence of SLIT on the pathogenic Th2 cells, and the association of Th2 cell subsets with SLIT efficacy have not been clarified. METHODS: The cytokine production and frequency of HDM-reactive T-cell subsets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were evaluated using flow cytometry in 89 HDM-AR patients (placebo [n = 43] and HDM 300 IR [n = 46]) who participated in a placebo-controlled study of SLIT with HDM tablets. All patients provided samples both before treatment as a baseline and at the end of the 52-week study. The PBMCs were stained with CellTrace™ Violet (CTV) before culture with HDM extract, and HDM-reactive T cells were detected as the proliferated cells with diminished CTV. RESULTS: HDM-reactive IL-5+ IL-13+ CD27- CD161+ CD4+ cells and ST2+ CD45RO+ CD4+ cells were observed in the peripheral blood from each patient with HDM-AR; these cells significantly decreased after SLIT in the group treated with active tablets. HDM-reactive ST2+ CD45RO+ CD4+ cells were significantly lower in active-responders. CONCLUSION: Allergen-reactive ST2+ CD45RO+ CD4+ cells or those combined with IL-5+ IL-13+ CD27- CD161+ CD4+ cells may be useful as markers indicating the successful treatment of SLIT. These cells may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AR as pathogenic memory Th2 cells.

Sublingual immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis: subjective versus objective tools to evaluate its success.

BACKGROUND: Biomarkers that enable objective evaluation of the clinical effects of immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis have yet to be identified. METHODS: This study included 40 patients who were enrolled in a large randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study examining the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) using Japanese cedar (JC) pollen extract during two consecutive pollen seasons from 2010 to 2012. Based on changes in total nasal symptom medication score, patients in the SLIT and placebo groups were subdivided into two subgroups: good responders and poor responders. The levels of JC pollen-specific IL-10+Foxp3+ cells and specific Th2 cytokine-producing cells were measured and the association with the efficacy of SLIT was analysed. RESULTS: The total nasal symptom medication score was significantly lower in the SLIT group compared with the placebo group. The number of JC pollen-specific Th2 cytokine-producing cells increased during the pollen season in the placebo group and in poor responders in the SLIT group; however, the increases were inhibited in the good responders in the SLIT group. The number of JC pollen-specific IL-10+Foxp3+ cells increased only in these good responders. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in levels of allergen-specific Th2 cytokine-producing cells and IL-10+Foxp3+ cells could be objective biomarkers for SLIT.

Activation of invariant natural killer T cells in regional lymph nodes as new antigen-specific immunotherapy via induction of interleukin-21 and interferon-γ.

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells play important immunoregulatory functions in allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation. To clarify the role of iNKT cells in allergic rhinitis (AR), we generated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs), which were pulsed by ovalbumin (OVA) and α-galactosylceramide (OVA/α-GalCer-BMDCs) and administered into the oral submucosa of OVA-sensitized mice before nasal challenge. Nasal symptoms, level of OVA-specific immunoglobulin (IgE), and T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine production in cervical lymph nodes (CLNs) were significantly ameliorated in wild-type (WT) mice treated with OVA/α-GalCer-BMDCs, but not in WT mice treated with OVA-BMDCs. These anti-allergic effects were not observed in Jα18(-/-) recipients that lack iNKT cells, even after similar treatment with OVA/α-GalCer-BMDCs in an adoptive transfer study with CD4(+) T cells and B cells from OVA-sensitized WT mice. In WT recipients of OVA/α-GalCer-BMDCs, the number of interleukin (IL)-21-producing iNKT cells increased significantly and the Th1/Th2 balance shifted towards the Th1 dominant state. Treatment with anti-IL-21 and anti-interferon (IFN)-γ antibodies abrogated these anti-allergic effects in mice treated with α-GalCer/OVA-BMDCs. These results suggest that activation of iNKT cells in regional lymph nodes induces anti-allergic effects through production of IL-21 or IFN-γ, and that these effects are enhanced by simultaneous stimulation with antigen. Thus, iNKT cells might be a useful target in development of new treatment strategies for AR.

Beneficial effects of leukotriene receptor antagonists in the prevention of cedar pollinosis in a community setting.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, many countries have experienced an increase in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis. No effective approach is currently available to prevent the onset of symptoms in allergic individuals. Pranlukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist with a good safety and efficacy record for the management of allergic inflammation, may be appropriate for early intervention in the management of pollinosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of pranlukast as an early intervention in the control of cedar pollinosis. METHODS: In a double-blind comparative study, pranlukast (n = 102) or placebo (n = 91) was administered to cedar pollinosis patients immediately before the start of the dispersion season and continued for 4 weeks. Subsequently, pranlukast was administered to all patients for 2 weeks until the end of the cedar pollen dispersion season (mid-March). All patients were carefully monitored for severity of nasal symptoms, symptom scores, medication scores, symptom-medication scores, and quality of life (QOL). RESULTS: Compared with placebo, therapy with pranlukast before and during the dispersion of cedar pollen in these patients significantly improved nasal symptoms (paroxysmal sneezing, rhinorrhea, and nasal congestion), symptom scores, and symptom-medication scores. The drug also significantly reduced deterioration of QOL, and improved nasal symptoms and QOL throughout the dispersion period. CONCLUSION: Administering pranlukast immediately before the beginning of cedar pollen dispersion is effective in reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis throughout the dispersion period.

Regional myocardial blood flow during cardiac tamponade in hearts with chronic coronary artery occlusion.

The effects of increased pericardial pressure on blood flow to collateral dependent and normal myocardium were investigated and the mechanisms responsible for these effects evaluated in 10 anaesthetised dogs after collateral inducement by gradual occlusion of a coronary artery. Regional myocardial blood flows were measured with radioactive microspheres during control conditions, mild tamponade, severe tamponade, and severe tamponade with aortic blood pressure held at the control value by blood volume expansion. Mild tamponade increased heart rate by 10% and decreased aortic blood pressure by 15%. Left atrial and central venous blood pressures were moderately increased, and indices of cardiac function were reduced. Blood flow to collateral dependent and normally perfused myocardium was not significantly altered, but the endocardial to epicardial flow ratio was significantly decreased in collateral dependent myocardium. Severe tamponade decreased aortic blood pressure by 45% and cardiac index by 62%. Left atrial and central venous blood pressures were appreciably increased and cardiac function indices considerably depressed. Blood flow to collateral dependent and normally perfused myocardium was decreased similarly (by 54-57%), but the endocardial to epicardial flow ratio was decreased by a greater degree in collateral dependent myocardium. During severe tamponade at control aortic blood pressure, left atrial and central venous blood pressures were further increased, but blood flow to collateral dependent and normally perfused myocardium returned to within 84% of control and endocardial to epicardial flow ratios were normal. Total peripheral vascular resistance increased during severe tamponade, but coronary vascular resistance remained constant. Thus blood flow to collateral dependent and normally perfused myocardium varied according to net coronary perfusion pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine deaminase attenuates canine coronary vasodilatation during regional non-ischaemic myocardial hypoxia.

To test the hypothesis that adenosine contributes to the coronary hyperaemia produced by regional non-ischaemic myocardial hypoxia coronary blood flow and myocardial oxygen extraction and consumption were continuously monitored in 21 anaesthetised open chest dogs under the following conditions: control 1--postinstrumentation, steady state control; hypoxia 1--3-5 min of regional (LAD) hypoxaemia (partial pressure of oxygen, PO2, 21.4(2.0) mmHg (3.1(0.2) kPa), coronary arterial oxygen content, CaO2, 3.9(0.4) ml.100 ml-1 (39(4) ml.litre-1): control 2--repeat steady state control; and hypoxia 2--3-5 min repeat regional hypoxaemia (PO2 18.9(2.4) mmHg (2.5(0.3) kPa); CaO2 3.6(0.6) ml.100 ml-1 (36(6) ml.litre-1) blood). Left anterior descending artery perfusion pressure was held constant for all conditions. Control 2 and hypoxia 2 were performed in the presence of locally infused adenosine deaminase (n = 16) or saline vehicle (n = 5). The 16 dogs given adenosine deaminase were further subdivided into those perfused with blood deoxygenated by a donor canine lung (group 1, n = 11) and those perfused with blood from a paediatric oxygenator (group 2, n = 5). Systemic haemodynamics, heart rate, and coronary arterial PO2 and O2 contents were similar during the two control periods and during the two exposures to hypoxia in all three groups. Left anterior descending artery blood flow increased by approximately 400% (p less than 0.05) in all three groups during the first exposure to hypoxia. Myocardial oxygen consumption was unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Precursor of cdk5 activator, the 23 kDa subunit of tau protein kinase II: its sequence and developmental change in brain.

Tau protein kinase II (TPKII) is shown by immunoprecipitation to be a complex composed of two subunits, a catalytic subunit, cdk5, and regulatory subunit, p23. By sequence analysis of p23 cDNA, p23 was found to occupy a region from the 99th amino acid residue to the C-terminus of a novel protein with a molecular weight of 34,000 Da, suggesting that this 34 kDa protein is a precursor of p23 (pre-p23). These findings suggest that p23 results from the processing of the precursor protein, pre-p23. The precursor mRNA was expressed most abundantly in rat brain just before and after birth. Expression of pre-p23, but not of cdk5, mRNA changed, coinciding with the developmental change of TPKII activity, suggesting that its expression controls the phosphorylation of tau by the TPKII/TPKI system in the neonatal brain. p23 appears to be a cdk5 activator in neuronal cells.

Identification of the 23 kDa subunit of tau protein kinase II as a putative activator of cdk5 in bovine brain.

Tau protein kinase II (TPKII) was reported previously to be composed of a neuron-rich cdc2-related kinase (PSSALRE/cdk5) and 23 kDa subunit. Here we show that the 23 kDa subunit is a putative activator for the kinase activity. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed that the protein was novel and included a partial similarity of amino acids to a cyclin box important for the interaction with cdc2-related kinase. These results suggest that the 23 kDa subunit, but not cyclin, activates cdk5 in neuronal cells, which no longer exhibit cell cycling but are terminally differentiated cells.

Myocardial accumulation of monoclonal antimyosin Fab in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and postpartum cardiomyopathy.

Indium-111-antimyosin Fab scan was performed in patients with hypertrophic and postpartum cardiomyopathies to assess whether or not myocardial damage can be delineated. In two patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, intense and diffuse antimyosin uptake was observed, although there was no evidence of acute myocardial damage or wall motion abnormality. A patient with postpartum cardiomyopathy showed a dense and relatively localized accumulation in the left ventricular anterior wall in association with thallium perfusion and wall motion abnormalities. Thus, antimyosin scanning can delineate not only manifested but also subclinical myocardial damage in hypertrophic and postpartum cardiomyopathies which may not be detectable by other techniques.

Cardiac sympathetic denervation in transthyretin-related familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy: detection with iodine-123-MIBG.

In familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP), the peripheral nervous system is predominantly impaired. Cardiac sympathetic function has not been directly assessed. A 65-yr-old man with severe peripheral neuropathy due to primary systemic amyloidosis was studied. Echocardiograms and scintigraphic examinations with 20Tl and 99mTc-pyrophosphate demonstrated highly thickened but normally perfused left ventricular walls with intense diffuse amyloid deposits. No definite myocardial activity of [123I]metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) was detected in any cardiac region, indicating lack of sympathetic nerve endings. Despite maintained cardiac contractility, left ventricular diastolic performance and heart rate variability assessed by power spectral analysis were markedly depressed. Thus, the myocardial defect of MIBG activity may provide direct evidence of impaired cardiac sympathetic nerve endings due to amyloid deposits in FAP.

Sustained right ventricular dyskinesis complicated by right ventricular infarction.

We encountered a 66-yr-old man with acute left inferior and right ventricular infarction. Tomographic radionuclide ventriculography and Fourier analysis clearly demonstrated reduced wall motion in the inferior walls of both ventricles and markedly delayed phase angles in the inferior right ventricular segment, indicating dyskinesis, which was confirmed by two-dimensional echocardiography and contrast right ventriculography. Four years later, right ventricular dyskinesis was still present and corresponded to a right ventricular perfusion defect on 99mTc-labeled tetrofosmin tomogram. Right ventricular imaging with tomographic radionuclide ventriculography with Fourier analysis and 99mTc-labeled myocardial tomography demonstrates that, even after improved global function and hemodynamics, right ventricular dyskinesis related to right ventricular perfusion defect can be sustained for several years. Thus, these imaging techniques may contribute to diagnosing right ventricular infarction and investigating the pathophysiology.

Effects of adenosine 5'-triphosphate and growth hormone on cellular H+ transport and calcium ion concentrations in cloned bovine mammary epithelial cells.

The present experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of exogenous adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and growth hormone (GH) on cellular H(+) efflux rate (extracellular acidification rate) and Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](c)) in cloned bovine mammary epithelial cells (bMEC) raised from the mammary gland of a 26-day-pregnant Holstein heifer. Perifusion of 2-day cultured cells with a medium containing ATP (10, 100 and 1000 micromol/l) for 30 min caused a significant and concentration-dependent increase in the cellular H(+) efflux rate. ATP application (100 micromol/l) caused a transient and large increase in [Ca(2+)](c) in all cells. In contrast, perifusion with a medium containing bovine GH at 10, 50 and 250 ng/ml for 30 min caused a significant decrease in the cellular H(+) efflux rate in a concentration-dependent manner. However, bovine GH application (50 ng/ml) caused a small decrease followed by an increase, in some cases, in [Ca(2+)](c). In bMEC treated with lactogenic hormones (1 microgram/l prolactin, 1 nmol/ml dexamethasone and 5 microgram/ml insulin) for 2 days, the increased H(+) efflux rate induced by ATP was significantly reduced, whereas the negative response induced by GH was inversely and significantly changed to the positive. Treatment of the cells with lactogenic hormones reduced the increase in [Ca(2+)](c) induced by ATP stimulation, while it enhanced the increase in [Ca(2+)](c) induced by GH stimulation. Application of ATP or GH did not cause any significant changes in [pH](c). Treatment with lactogenic hormones enhanced GH receptor (GHR) transcription that was determined by RT-PCR. From these results, we conclude that exogenous application of ATP and GH causes prompt and significant responses in H(+) transport and [Ca(2+)](c) that were significantly changed in the opposite direction by the treatment with lactogenic hormones. The lactogenic hormone treatment also enhanced GHR transcription, which may change post-receptor signal transduction systems for both agents in the bMEC.

Clinical significance of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) receptor expression in acute myeloid leukemia.

We examined granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) receptor (GR) expression on leukemic cells from 44 adults with newly-diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). GR expression was higher in female patients. G-CSF was administered to AML patients after initial induction therapy without significant acceleration of leukemia, irrespective of GR expression level. G-CSF administration after initial chemotherapy did not adversely influence clinical outcome of GR-positive patients. However, at first relapse, leukemia regrowth was accelerated in 3 of 15 GR-positive patients who received G-CSF after re-induction. It remains to be determined whether leukemia acceleration due to G-CSF contributes to re-induction failure and if G-CSF therapy is a significant risk in relapsed, GR-positive AML patients.

Clinical significance of LEA-1 expression in adult acute myeloid leukemia.

In this study, we examined expressions of several adhesion molecules (AdMs), i.e. leukocyte function antigen-1 (LFA-1: CD11a/CD18), Hermes homing receptor (CD44) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1: CD54), on leukemia cells from 51 adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) to elucidate clinical significance of these AdM expressions. Those expressions in lymphoid malignancies have been correlated with tumor evolutions, but CD44 was detected in all the AML cases examined and CD54 expression did not associate with their clinical characteristics or outcomes. However, we found that LFA-1 expressions significantly correlated with splenomegaly, resistance to induction chemotherapies and short survival periods in AML patients.

Regression and recovery of well-developed coronary collateral function in canine hearts after aorta-coronary bypass.

After restoration of antegrade blood flow by coronary artery bypass grafting to a region of myocardium supplied by well-developed collateral vessels, there is regression of collateral supply to that region. There is controversy as to how rapidly this regression occurs, how soon collateral flow might return after an acute occlusion of the bypass graft, and how effective pharmacologic agents such as nitroglycerin might be in accelerating this return. To investigate this problem, 14 canine hearts were collateralized by Ameroid occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Regression and recovery of well-developed collateral function were studied after opening and closing an aorta-coronary bypass. Before bypass, peripheral coronary pressure was 82 +/- 2 mm Hg, retrograde flow 63 +/- 7 ml/min, collateral flow 21 +/- 2 ml/min, and collateral resistance 0.96 +/- 0.13 mm Hg/ml/min. One hundred minutes of bypass perfusion significantly decreased peripheral coronary pressure by 27%, retrograde flow by 52%, and collateral flow by 42%, and significantly increased collateral resistance by 319%. When the bypass was acutely occluded for 30 minutes, collateral resistance decreased spontaneously by 37%. When intracoronary nitroglycerin was administered for 5 minutes immediately after bypass occlusion, collateral resistance rapidly decreased by 72%, but subsequent collateral regression was not alleviated. Increased flow through regressed collateral vessels during retrograde flow diversion was associated with a decrease in collateral resistance. Results demonstrate rapid but not instantaneous regression and recovery of mature collateral function in response to requirements of collateral-dependent myocardium. Regressed collateral vessels can be dilated by nitroglycerin. Flow-dependent changes in collateral vascular tone appear to be responsible for early regression and recovery of collateral function.

MDR1 (multidrug resistance) gene expression in adult acute leukemia: correlations with blast phenotype.

Resistance to multiple chemotherapeutic agents is related to the production of P-glycoprotein, a transmembrane drug efflux pump that is encoded by the multidrug resistance gene (MDR1). To detect low-level or heterogenous expression of the MDR1 gene in acute leukemia, we have developed sensitive, specific and semi-quantitative protocols for measuring levels of MDR1 mRNA, based on the polymerase chain reaction. Using this assay, we screened blasts from 20 patients with untreated adult acute leukemia for evidence of MDR1 gene expression. The level of MDR1 mRNA was normalized to beta 2-microglobulin mRNA and was defined by reference to the highly resistant trimetrexate-selected leukemia cells MOLT-3/TMQ200 (1.80). MDR1 mRNA was observed in 14 out of 20 patients. Higher MDR1 mRNAs were observed in three patients with phenotypes of undifferentiated or minimally differentiated nonlymphocytic acute leukemia, as compared with other types of acute leukemia (0.98 vs. 0.25). In contrast, lower MDR1 mRNAs were found in five patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia, as compared with other types of acute leukemia (0.08 vs. 0.45). These findings suggest that MDR1 gene expression is correlated with the leucocyte differentiation stage of leukemia. MDR1 gene expression may, in part, explain the responsiveness to chemotherapy in these distinct subtypes of acute leukemia.