Selenization of S. cerevisiae increases its protective potential in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by triggering an intestinal immunomodulatory loop.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the myelinated central nervous system (CNS) neurons and triggers physical and cognitive disabilities. Conventional therapy is based on disease-modifying drugs that control disease severity but can also be deleterious. Complementary medicines have been adopted and evidence indicates that yeast supplements can improve symptoms mainly by modulating the immune response. In this investigation, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its selenized derivative (Selemax) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Female C57BL/6 mice submitted to EAE induction were orally supplemented with these yeasts by gavage from day 0 to day 14 after EAE induction. Both supplements determined significant reduction in clinical signs concomitantly with diminished Th1 immune response in CNS, increased proportion of Foxp3+ lymphocytes in inguinal and mesenteric lymph nodes and increased microbiota diversity. However, Selemax was more effective clinically and immunologically; it reduced disease prevalence more sharply, increased the proportion of CD103+ dendritic cells expressing high levels of PD-L1 in mesenteric lymph nodes and reduced the intestinal inflammatory process more strongly than S. cerevisiae. These results suggest a clear gut-brain axis modulation by selenized S. cerevisiae and suggest their inclusion in clinical trials.

Effect of dietary supplementation with yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae on skin, serum and liver of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L).

The effect of dietary supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) was studied. Four replicates of fish (n = 6) were fed with a commercial diet containing 0 (control, no yeast added) or 10 mg per kilogram of heat-killed (30 min, 60°C) S. cerevisiae. After 4 weeks, half of the fish (two replicates) were injured and continued with the same diet. At 3 and 7 days post-wounding, samples of blood, skin mucus, skin and liver were obtained from each fish. The results showed that calcium concentrations were significantly higher (with respect to control fish) in the serum from fish sampled at 3 days post-wounding, whereas antioxidant enzymes in the skin mucus were altered after wounding (at both 3 and 7 days). Histological analyses revealed oedema, signs of inflammation and white cell recruitment together with a reduction in the epidermis layer in the wounded regions of fish fed control diet. Yeast supplementation did not change growth performance and helped maintain the normal serum calcium concentrations in wounded fish. Furthermore, a reduction in inflammation around wounds in the animals fed yeast with respect to that fed control diet was evident in the histological study. Furthermore, increased levels of stress-related gene expression in liver and skin from wounded fish were obtained. Overall, yeast supplementation seemed to be a functional and appropriate dietary additive to improve skin recovery reducing the stress resulting from wounds.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae (YT001) supplementation for the control of Haemonchus contortus and modulation of the immune response of sheep.

Studies aiming at the development and evaluation of alternative methods to minimise losses caused by the gastrointestinal nematode Haemonchus contortus are extremely important. Such research is essential, given the high morbidity rates among sheep and the significant mortality rates of lambs, allied to the low efficacy of commercial products for the control of this parasite. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae (YT001 - YEASTECH) on the control of H. contortus and its modulation of the immune response in experimentally infected sheep. Eighteen sheep were divided into two groups. Group 1, the control group, comprised animals infected with H. contortus and supplemented with distilled water, while Group 2, the treated group, consisted of animals infected and supplemented with S. cerevisiae (400 million cfu/day of suspension for 49 days). The following parasitological parameters were evaluated: number of eggs per gram of faeces, number of infective larvae (L3) recovered per faecal culture, and parasitic load of the abomasum. The following immunological parameters were quantified: immunoglobulin (Ig)A in the mucous secretions and serum IgG; cytokines interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-10; number of eosinophils in the abomasal mucosa and groups of cells positive for the markers: MHCII, CD4+CD25+, CD5+CD8+, WC4, CD5+CD4+, CD8+CD11b+ and CD5+WC1 by whole blood flow cytometry. The results revealed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the number of larvae and significantly higher serum IgG levels (P<0.05) in the group supplemented with S. cerevisiae. The supplemented animals showed significantly larger numbers of eosinophils (P<0.05), as well as more cells positive for MHCII, CD4+CD25+, CD5+CD8+ than the control animals. This study confirmed the beneficial action of S. cerevisiae on the host immune response to H. contortus, as evidenced mainly by the smaller number of L3 recovered from the faeces of sheep supplemented with S. cerevisiae.

Whole Recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae Yeast Expressing Ras Mutations as Treatment for Patients With Solid Tumors Bearing Ras Mutations: Results From a Phase 1 Trial.

We are developing whole, heat-killed, recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast, engineered to encode target proteins, which stimulate immune responses against malignant cells expressing those targets. This phase 1 trial, enrolling patients with advanced colorectal or pancreas cancer, was designed to evaluate safety, immunogenicity, response, and overall survival of ascending doses of the GI-4000 series of products, which express 3 different forms of mutated Ras proteins. The study enrolled 33 heavily pretreated subjects (14 with pancreas and 19 with colorectal cancer), whose tumors were genotyped before enrollment to identify the specific ras mutation and thereby to identify which GI-4000 product to administer. No dose limiting toxicities were observed and no subject discontinued treatment due to a GI-4000 related adverse event (AE). The majority of AEs and all fatal events were due to underlying disease progression and AE frequencies were not significantly different among dose groups. GI-4000 was immunogenic, as Ras mutation-specific immune responses were detected on treatment in ∼60% of subjects. No objective tumor responses were observed but based on imaging, clinical status and/or biochemical markers, stable disease was observed in 6 subjects (18%) on day 29, while 1 subject had stable disease at days 57 and 85 follow-up visits. The median overall survival was 3.3 months (95% confidence interval, 2.3-5.3 mo), and 5 subjects survived past the 48-week follow-up period. No significant dose-dependent trends for survival were observed. This first clinical trial in humans with GI-4000 demonstrated a favorable safety profile and immunogenicity in the majority of subjects.

Fungal-derived cues promote ocular autoimmunity through a Dectin-2/Card9-mediated mechanism.

Uveitis (intraocular inflammation) is a leading cause of loss of vision. Although its aetiology is largely speculative, it is thought to arise from complex genetic-environmental interactions that break immune tolerance to generate eye-specific autoreactive T cells. Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), induced by immunization with the ocular antigen, interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP), in combination with mycobacteria-containing complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), has many clinical and histopathological features of human posterior uveitis. Studies in EAU have focused on defining pathogenic CD4+ T cell effector responses, such as those of T helper type 17 (Th17) cells, but the innate receptor pathways precipitating development of autoreactive, eye-specific T cells remain poorly defined. In this study, we found that fungal-derived antigens possess autoimmune uveitis-promoting function akin to CFA in conventional EAU. The capacity of commensal fungi such as Candida albicans or Saccharomyces cerevisae to promote IRBP-triggered EAU was mediated by Card9. Because Card9 is an essential signalling molecule of a subgroup of C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) important in host defence, we evaluated further the proximal Card9-activating CLRs. Using single receptor-deficient mice we identified Dectin-2, but not Mincle or Dectin-1, as a predominant mediator of fungal-promoted uveitis. Conversely, Dectin-2 activation by α-mannan reproduced the uveitic phenotype of EAU sufficiently, in a process mediated by the Card9-coupled signalling axis and interleukin (IL)-17 production. Taken together, this report relates the potential of the Dectin-2/Card9-coupled pathway in ocular autoimmunity. Not only does it contribute to understanding of how innate immune receptors orchestrate T cell-mediated autoimmunity, it also reveals a previously unappreciated ability of fungal-derived signals to promote autoimmunity.

Probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains as biotherapeutic tools: is there room for improvement?

The probiotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae var boulardii is widely used as a low cost and efficient adjuvant against gastrointestinal tract disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease and treatment of several types of diarrhea, both in humans and animals. S. boulardii exerts its protective mechanisms by binding and neutralizing enteric pathogens or their toxins, by reducing inflammation and by inducing the secretion of sIgA. Although several S. cerevisiae strains have proven probiotic potential in both humans and animals, only S. boulardii is currently licensed for use in humans. Recently, some researchers started using S. boulardii as heterologous protein expression systems. Combined with their probiotic activity, the use of these strains as prophylactic and therapeutic proteins carriers might result in a positive combined effort to fight specific diseases. Here, we provide an overview of the current use of S. cerevisiae strains as probiotics and their mechanisms of action. We also discuss their potential to produce molecules with biotherapeutic application and the advantages and hurdles of this approach. Finally, we suggest future directions and alternatives for which the combined effort of specific immunomodulatory effects of probiotic S. cerevisiae strains and ability to express desired foreign genes would find a practical application.

Brewer's Yeast Supplementation Enhances Immune Response of Aged Mice.

A large amount of evidence indicates that aging is associated with immune system dysfunction. Brewer's yeast, one of the most notable species of yeast in health and wellness, has been shown to stimulate the immune system and improve human life span. In the present study, brewer's yeast (5, 25 or 125 µg/mouse) was orally supplemented to aged mice each other day for 4 weeks. Total number of leukocytes from peripheral blood (PBl), thymus (Thy), spleen (Sp), and peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) were counted. Carbon clearance, plaque-forming cell and rosette-forming cell assays were used to measure macrophage, B cell and T cell responses. In vitro proliferation of splenocytes and histological architecture of thymus from aged mice were tested. Yeast treated mice showed a significant increase in the total number of PBl leukocytes, total cellularity of both Thy and Sp, as well as a significant increase in total and differential numbers of PEC. A gradual increase in macrophages' phagocytic activity of PEC and a significant increase in both plaque-forming cell and rosette-forming cell responses were observed. In vitro results showed that incubation of splenocytes with brewer's yeast (0.5, 2.5 or 12.5µg/well) in the presence of concanavalin-A mitogen elicited a gradual increase in the proliferation of splenocytes. Histological examination of thymuses from yeast-treated aged mice revealed that the cortex was preferentially enlarged and repopulated with immature thymocytes. These results indicate that brewer's yeast supplementation to aged mice improves several baseline immune responses, and provides a valuable tool to identify nutritional strategies that could mitigate immunosenescence.

Acute aerocystitis in Nile tilapia bred in net cages and supplemented with chromium carbochelate and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Oreochromis niloticus bred in net cages were supplemented with cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) (0.3%) or chromium carbochelate (Cr) (18 mg/kg of feed) or in association (Sc + Cr), for 90 days. After this period, acute inflammation was induced in the swim bladder by inoculation of 3 × 10(8) CFU of inactivated Streptococcus agalactiae, and another group received 0.65% saline solution (control). Twelve, 24, and 48 h after stimulation, the inflammation was evaluated through total and differential counting of accumulated cells, and through leukocyte respiratory burst in the blood, cortisolemia, glycemia and serum lysozyme concentration. The results showed that there were greater total numbers of cells in the exudate of fish inoculated with inactivated bacterium than in those injected with saline solution, with predominance of lymphocytes, thrombocytes, macrophages and granulocytes. Tilapia supplemented with Cr presented increased total numbers of cells with significant accumulation of lymphocytes and reductions in cortisolemia and glycemia, but the different treatments did not have any influence on leukocyte respiratory burst or serum lysozyme concentration. Tilapia supplemented with Sc and the Cr + Sc association did not present significant changes to the variables evaluated, despite higher accumulation of lymphocytes in the inflammatory exudate from fish treated with Sc. The results indicate that tilapia bred in net cages and supplemented with Cr presented higher total accumulation of cells at the inflammatory focus, thus indicating an increase in the inflammatory response induced by the bacterium, probably due to the reduction in cortisolemia and higher glucose consumption. Thus, supplementation with Cr had beneficial action, which facilitated development of acute inflammation induced by the bacterium, but did not affect neither leukocyte respiratory burst in the blood nor serum lysozyme concentration.

[Effect of traditional Chinese medicines with different properties on thermoregulation and temperature-sensitive transient receptor potentialion channel protein of rats with yeast-induced fever].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the intervention effects of four traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) with typical cold or hot property on body temperature and temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential ion channel proteins (TRPs) of rats with yeast-induced fever. METHOD: The pyrexia model was induced by injecting yeast suspension subcutaneously. Totally 108 male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, the Rhei Radix et Rhizoma treated group, the Coptidis Rhizoma treated group, the Euodiae Fructus treated group, and the Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma treated group, with 18 rats in each group. At the 4 h, 8 h and 12 h after injection of yeast, the rats were sacrificed to collect their hypothalamus and dorsal root ganglion. The expressions of TRPV1 and TRPM8 were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot method. RESULT: Compared with the normal group, after injection of yeast, the temperature of rats in the model group notably increased, and reached the peak at 8 h (P < 0.01). The TRPV1 level in hypothalamus and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of the model group significantly increased, whereas the TRPM8 level significantly reduced. Compared with the model group, the Rhei Radix et Rhizoma group and the Coptidis Rhizoma group showed significant decrease in the high body temperature of rats caused by yeast, down-regulation in the expression of TRPV1, and up-regulation in the expression of TRPM8 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Euodiae Fructus and Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma had no significant effect on either temperature or TRPs of fever rats. CONCLUSION: Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Coptidis Rhizoma, both are TCMs with cold property, can reduce the temperature of fever rats induced by yeast, which may be related to their effective regulation of TRPV1 and TRPM8 in hypothalamus and DRG, while Euodiae Fructus and Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma had no relevant effect.

Yeast cell wall supplementation alters aspects of the physiological and acute phase responses of crossbred heifers to an endotoxin challenge.

A study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding yeast cell wall (YCW) products on the physiological and acute phase responses of crossbred, newly-received feedlot heifers to an endotoxin challenge. Heifers (n = 24; 219 ± 2.4 kg) were separated into treatment groups receiving either a control diet (n = 8), YCW-A (2.5 g/heifer/d; n = 8) or YCW-C (2.5 g/heifer/d; n = 8) and were fed for 52 d. On d 37 heifers were challenged i.v. with LPS (0.5 µg/kg body mass) and blood samples were collected from -2 h to 8 h and again at 24 h relative to LPS challenge. There was an increase in vaginal temperature in all heifers post-LPS, with YCW-C maintaining a lower vaginal temperature post-LPS than control and YCW-A heifers. Sickness behavior scores increased post-LPS in all heifers, but were not affected by treatment. Cortisol concentrations were greatest in control heifers post-LPS compared with YCW-A or YCW-C heifers. Concentrations of IFN-γ and TNF-α increased post-LPS, but were not affected by treatment. Serum IL-6 concentrations increased post-LPS and were greater in control heifers than YCW-A and YCW-C heifers. These data indicate that YCW supplementation can decrease the physiological and acute phase responses of newly-received heifers following an endotoxin challenge.

Antioxidant bioavailability and rapid immune-modulating effects after consumption of a single acute dose of a high-metabolite yeast immunogen: results of a placebo-controlled double-blinded crossover pilot study.

The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the acute effects on circulating lymphocyte subsets, antioxidant status, and cytokine profile after consumption of EpiCor(®) (EP) (Embria Health Sciences, Ankeny, IA, USA), a dried fermentate produced from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, using a placebo-controlled randomized crossover study design with 12 healthy adult human subjects. EP contains high levels of bioavailable antioxidants and strongly activates natural killer (NK) cells in vitro. EP consumption has been shown to increase erythrocyte hematocrit levels, boost mucosal immune protection, reduce cold/flu symptoms, reduce seasonal allergy symptoms and the need for rescue medication, and increase salivary secretory immunoglobulin A levels. This warranted further study on immune effects in humans. A within-subject analysis of data collected before and at 1 and 2 hours after consumption of a single dose of 500 mg of EP versus placebo was performed. A transient reduction in circulating T and NK cell numbers was observed 2 hours post-consumption, suggesting that homing and recirculation of these cells, as part of healthy immune surveillance, were supported by EP. The increased expression of activation markers on the CD3(-) CD56(+) NK cell population was significant for CD69 at 1 hour post-consumption (CD25, P<.07; CD69, P<.05), whereas for CD25 it was significant at 2 hours after consumption (CD25, P<.03; CD69, P<.15). A rapid increase in serum interferon-γ was observed at 1 hour post-consumption (P<.07; after removal of two outlying data sets, P<.05) and may have contributed to the effects seen on NK and T cell subsets. Significant increase in serum antioxidant protection was seen 2 hours after consumption (P<.04). Thus consumption of a single 500 mg dose of EP provides a rapid and transient effect on the trafficking and activation status of specific lymphocyte subsets, as well as increased antioxidant protection.

Effects of hydrolysed Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast and yeast cell wall components on live performance, intestinal histo-morphology and humoral immune response of broilers.

1. The effects of enzymatically hydrolysed whole Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (HY) and the pellets of yeast cell wall (YCW) on production traits, the microbiology and histo-morphology of the small intestine, and humoral immune responses against Newcastle disease virus (NDV), of Ross 308 broilers were investigated. 2. The control group received a maize-soyabean meal based basal diet for 42 days. In the treated groups the basal diet was supplemented with 1 g/kg of HY and YCW. There were 8 replicate pens per group (n = 12 birds/pen). 3. HY and YCW supplementation improved live weight (P = 0·006) and FCR (P = 0·003) at 42-d as compared with the control group. 4. In the small intestine, Salmonella spp and Escherichia coli numbers were higher (P = 0·01) in the mucosa and lower (P = 0·01) in the digesta of the HY and the YCW fed groups at 25 d of age. Lactobacillus in the duodenal and jejunal digesta was higher (P < 0·05) in the HY and the YCW fed groups as compared with the control. 5. Following oral challenge with Salmonella pullorum, Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus increased (P < 0·05) in the mucosa and decreased in the digesta (P < 0·05) of the HY and YCW supplemented groups, relative to the control. 6. Supplementation of HY and YCW increased villus height in the jejunum (P = 0·02), width of villus in the ileum (P = 0·034) and number of goblet cells in villi of the jejunum (P = 0·006) and ileum (P = 0·01). 7. YCW increased antibody level against NDV at 21 and 42 d of age compared with the control and the HY supplemented diets (P < 0·05). 8. It was concluded that HY and YCW improved growth and feed efficiency in broilers, and considering the improvements in production traits and humoral immune responses, yeast cell wall may be a better dietary tool than the hydrolysed whole yeast cell as a performance enhancer for broilers.

[Comparative evaluation of selenium enriched bakerrs yeast autolysate and its soluble fraction antigenic properties].

Circulating IgG antibodies were measured in 192 sera of children aged from 4 months to 17 years suffering from different forms of food hypersensitivity against antigen of selenium enriched baker's yeast autolysate and its soluble fraction and also against antigens of 24 common foods (milk, egg, meat, vegetables, fruits). It was shown that yeast autolysate could be attributed as a product with weak sensitizing activity if antibody titers were compared in general group of patients or in children aged below 3 years. Removal of cell's coats from centrifugation clarified autolysate diminished its sensitizing properties in great extent.

Phagocytosis, endosomal/lysosomal system and other cellularaspects of macrophage activation by Canova medication.

Canova is a homeopathic medication with immunomodulatory properties, recommended for diseases where the immune system is depressed. Our research aims to study the activation of mice peritoneal macrophages when submitted to in vivo and in vitro Canova treatment. Morphological parameters and acid phosphatase activity were analyzed using light and transmission electron microscopy. Differential interference contrast microscopy, including serial time acquisition in living cells, was also performed. The results demonstrated a greater spreading ability in Canova treated macrophages, a higher phagocytic activity of non-infective microorganisms (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Tripanosoma cruzi epimastigotes) and a tendency to lower the phagocytic activity of the infective microorganisms T. cruzi trypomastigotes and Leishmania amazonensis, when compared with control cells. Acid phosphatase activity was analyzed and showed that Canova treatment stimulates an increase of the endosomal/lysosomal system. Treated macrophages that do or do not interact with yeast present a higher number of acid phosphatase marked vesicles compared to control cells. In contrast, the activity of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), is lower in Canova treated macrophages. The net results demonstrate that Canova medication is an effective stimulator of macrophage activity.

Total serum immunoglobulin M levels are affected by immunomodulators in seabream (Sparus aurata L.).

Immunoglobulin M (IgM) is a major component of the teleost humoral immune system. Despite the significance of IgM levels as an immune parameter, there are relatively few studies on changes induced in its total levels in serum. This study examines the effects of several immunomodulators (vitamin A, chitin, yeast cells or levamisole, which act as immunostimulants, and crowding, hypoxia or anaesthetics, which act as stressors) upon the total serum IgM levels of non-immunized gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.). Total serum IgM levels of fish fed with the assayed immunostimulant-supplemented diets were statistically higher than those in fish fed a non-supplemented diet, especially in the case of levamisole. On the other hand, serum IgM levels of fish subjected to different stressors were not affected by crowding, hypoxia or certain anaesthetics. However, benzocaine and a narcotic dose of 2-phenoxyethanol provoked a great reduction, while quinaldine sulphate increased IgM levels to a significant degree. These results show how the seric IgM levels can be differently affected by some immunomodulators and the important role they may play in the regulation of total circulating IgM levels in seabream. The possibility of using total serum IgM for assessing immunostimulation, disease diagnosis and stress symptoms during fish farming is discussed.

[The influence of bioceramics on phagocytosis of human leukocytes]. / Untersuchungen zum Einfluss von Biokeramiken auf die Phagozytoserate humaner Leukozyten.

BACKGROUND: After implantation of biomaterials in the regions of head and neck with resident microbial contamination the interaction between the implant and microbes play an important role for the success of the implantation. The host immune defence is important for the outcome after implantation, too. Phagocytosis plays an important role in the human immune response on infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The method described by Suess was used to investigate and measure the influence of the bioceramics Bioverit((R)) and Al(2)O(3)-ceramic on phagocytosis of yeast by human leukocytes. RESULTS: The bioceramics showed no statistically significant influence on phagocytosis function by human leukocytes. There was a tendency towards lower phagocytosis rates in all samples with bioceramics. CONCLUSIONS: The bioceramics Bioverit((R)) and Al(2)O(3) ceramic have no influence on phagocytosis of human leukocytes. In conclusion these biomaterials did not cause any inhibition of this important part of the human immune response on microbial infections after alloplastic implantation in head and neck regions.

Skin prick test response to enzyme enolase of the baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in diagnosis of respiratory allergy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to prove that Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase, the major allergen of the baker's yeast, induces allergic immediate response in patients with inhalant allergy sensitized to Candida albicans extract. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed in three groups of patients: I. 20 atopic patients with respiratory allergy sensitized to Candida albicans and inhalant allergens (mite, feather, pollens) II. 30 patients with respiratory allergy, positive skin tests to inhalant allergens but negative skin tests to Candida albicans and other fungi; III. 20 nonatopic, healthy individuals. Skin prick test of purified enolase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (bakers yeast) at concentration 1 and 10 mg/ml was performed in all groups. The results were documented planimetrically. RESULTS: 95% of patients sensitized to Candida albicans extract showed positive skin reactions to Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase, 10% of patients of group II and none of the patients of the control group had positive skin responses to enolase. The mean wheal size (mm2) in skin prick test to Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase at concentration 10 mg/ml was x = 15.17 +/- 11.08, 15.76 +/- 19.67 and at concentration 1 mg/ml 10.02 +/- 10.49, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase induces an immediate allergic reaction in skin in subjects with respiratory allergy and positive skin prick test results to Candida albicans and other fungi. 2. Enolase can be an important allergenic component of the Candida albicans extract.

Calpain immunoreactivity in baker's yeast, lobster and wheat germ.

The immunoreactivities of mu-calpain and m-calpain in wheat germ, lobster tail meat, and three strains of yeast were analysed by Western blotting using mouse anti-mu-calpain and rabbit anti-m-calpain. The occurrence of multiple bands may be due to either autolyses or the interactions between the calpains and other molecules. The results suggest not only a ubiquitous distribution and a universal regulatory role of calpain in eukaryotes, but also an evolutional conservation of calpain.

[Respiratory allergies among symptomatic bakers and pastry cooks: initial results of a prevalence study]. / Allergies respiratoires des boulangers-pâtissiers symptomatiques: premiers résultats d'une étude de prévalence.

A survey was carried out on respiratory symptoms and skin prick response to common allergens, storage mite and occupational allergens. Among 178 symptomatics bakers and pastry workers from small businesses in western France, only 65 people underwent skin prick and specific-IgE. 12 (18%) workers were skin positive to at least one common or occupational allergens. The more often skin positive were D. Ptero. mite 36 (57%); Alpha amylase 23 (35%); wheat flour 17 (26%); saccharomyces cerevisiae 16 (25%); Ephestia 15 (24%). The sensitivity of skin test was better than specific IgE for D. Ptero. Mite 36 (57%); and Alpha amylase 23 (35%). The sensitivity of specific IgE was better than skin test for wheat flour 26 (45%) and rye flour 23 (40%). Occurrence of skin positive to occupational allergen among symptomatics with rhinitis and asthma is much more frequent in workers with skin positive to common allergens (40/36) than in workers with skin negative (8/20). Atopy must be regarded as an important predisposing factor for skin sensitisation to occupational allergens. We conclude in the necessity of a standardised allergologic exploration to be done in symptomatics bakers.

Serum opsonic activity and neutrophil phagocytic capacity of newborn lambs before and 24-36 h after colostrum uptake.

Neutrophil (PMN) counts, immune complex (IC) uptake by PMN, and serum opsonising activity for promoting yeast uptake were used to evaluate infection clearing capacity in 16 lambs prior to colostrum feeding (two lambs fed bovine colostrum, 14 suckled lambs) and at 2 days of age. At 2 days of age lambs had more circulating PMN than they had prior to colostrum uptake (P less than 0.01). Colostrum feeding caused a significant increase in the percent of lamb PMN phagocytosing IC, although at Day 2 the percent phagocytosis was significantly lower (32.2%) than for adult controls (90%). Yeast opsonophagocytosis was greater when 24-36 h post-feeding serum was the source of opsonin than when pre-feeding serum was used (P less than 0.001). When adult serum was the opsonin, yeast opsonophagocytosis was approximately twice the phagocytosis mediated by 24-36 h post-feeding serum. The peripheral neutrocytosis and the enhancement of opsonophagocytosis generated by absorption of either ovine or bovine colostrum did not differ. The results of this study suggest that the parameters evaluated may be used for indicating the presence (or absence) of passively acquired protective immunity.