Serum periostin levels in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The significance of periostin as a biomarker of Th2-induced airway inflammation has recently been highlighted in adult patients with allergic diseases. It may help identify drug-responsive inflammatory phenotypes, particularly in children. However, little is known about the usefulness of this parameter as a biomarker for allergic diseases in children. Furthermore, it is not known how much adolescent bone metabolism affects allergic inflammation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between serum periostin levels and allergic diseases in adolescents, we investigated periostin levels and the prevalence of allergic diseases. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study of 100 males and females in two age groups: age 9-12 years (pre-early adolescence) and 13-15 years (post-early adolescence). Serum periostin levels were determined using Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA). Presence of allergic diseases and allergy sensitization were obtained via a self-reported survey and the Multiple Antigen Simultaneous Test (MAST). The protocol was registered in a clinical trial registry as UMIN 000036051. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in serum periostin levels between pre-early and post-early adolescents. There were no differences by gender. Age and Body Mass Index were not significantly associated with serum periostin levels. Periostin levels were elevated in adolescents with allergic diseases overall compared to healthy adolescents [mean (95%CI): 41.6 (33.4, 49.7) vs. 28.6 (21.9, 35.3) ng/ml; P < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of bone metabolism on serum periostin levels may be limited at 9-15 years of age. Further studies are required to determine reference values in adolescents.

Effect of fexofenadine/pseudoephedrine combination tablet on nasal obstruction in patients with allergic rhinitis using rhinomanometry: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: A fexofenadine/pseudoephedrine combination tablet (F/P) is an optimal product for nasal obstruction. It contains fexofenadine hydrochloride, a histamine H1-receptor antagonist for sneezing and rhinorrhea and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, an α-adrenergic agonist. The effect of an antihistamine-decongestant on nasal obstruction has been demonstrated in previous studies, but onset of action and efficacy data on nasal obstruction are limited. OBJECTIVE: We estimated the efficacy of F/P on nasal obstruction in patients with house dust mite-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) versus fexofenadine (F) using objective methods. METHODS: In this single-center, single-dose, prospective, randomized, parallel-group study, 24 adult patients with a history of at least 2 years of AR and nasal obstruction were randomized to receive F/P or F. The effect on nasal obstruction was evaluated using nasal airflow and visual analog scale (VAS) score measured at 30-minute intervals before and for 8 hours after dosing. The primary end point was onset of action, based on a comparison of absolute change from baseline in nasal airflow between F/P and F. The protocol was registered in a clinical trial registry as UMIN 000041845. RESULTS: The onset of action for F/P was 30 minutes based on nasal airflow and 60 minutes based on VAS. F/P maintained a significant beneficial effect after onset of effect, while F showed no significant change during the test period. CONCLUSIONS: We found F/P had a clear effect on nasal obstruction associated with perennial AR when compared with F. There was a time lag in nasal airflow improvement and nasal obstruction relief.

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in the coastal sediments of an urbanized atoll in the central Pacific: Majuro Atoll, the Marshall Islands.

Pacific atolls are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Coral reef ecosystems, which are responsible for the island formation and maintenance, can potentially keep pace with rising sea levels. Such ecosystems are sensitive to pollution; however, the sources and levels of atoll pollutants caused by urbanization have rarely been investigated. In this study, we assessed the heavy metal pollution (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) of coastal sediments to evaluate the effects of urbanization on Majuro Atoll, the Marshall Islands. The densely populated area had the most significant pollution with high levels of Pb, Mn, Zn, and Cu due to road traffic activity. Domestic wastewater, a major pollution source in Pacific atolls, was not identified. Remarkably, the Zn and Pb levels in the lagoonal coasts of the remote island area were 697 - 1539 and 22 - 337 times higher, respectively, than in the natural area of Funafuti Atoll, Tuvalu. Thus, the remote island and sparsely populated areas were significantly polluted because of the maritime traffic activity in the lagoon and debris accumulation in/around the lagoon. This pollution resulted from improper municipal solid waste management of the main island. The contamination factor, pollution load index, and geo-accumulation index indicated high levels of heavy metal pollution in these areas. Urbanization of the atoll clearly resulted in a distinct heavy metal composition and high pollution levels compared with Funafuti Atoll. These findings emphasize the importance of pollution management in the conservation and rehabilitation of urbanized atolls threatened by future sea-level rises.

Japanese guidelines for allergic rhinitis 2020.

Like asthma and atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis is an allergic disease, but of the three, it is the only type I allergic disease. Allergic rhinitis includes pollinosis, which is intractable and reduces quality of life (QOL) when it becomes severe. A guideline is needed to understand allergic rhinitis and to use this knowledge to develop a treatment plan. In Japan, the first guideline was prepared after a symposium held by the Japanese Society of Allergology in 1993. The current 8th edition was published in 2016, and is widely used today. To incorporate evidence based medicine (EBM) introduced from abroad, the most recent collection of evidence/literature was supplemented to the Practical Guideline for the Management of Allergic Rhinitis in Japan 2016. The revised guideline includes assessment of diagnosis/treatment and prescriptions for children and pregnant women, for broad clinical applications. An evidence-based step-by-step strategy for treatment is also described. In addition, the QOL concept and cost benefit analyses are also addressed. Along with Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact of Asthma (ARIA), this guideline is widely used for various clinical purposes, such as measures for patients with sinusitis, childhood allergic rhinitis, oral allergy syndrome, and anaphylaxis and for pregnant women. A Q&A section regarding allergic rhinitis in Japan was added to the end of this guideline.

[LONG-TERM RESULTS OF AIRBORNE POLLEN SURVEYS IN THE JAPANESE ARCHIPELAGO FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF POLLEN ANTIGEN].

BACKGROUND: In 1986, the Ministry of Health and Welfare started an airborne pollen survey as part of measures against JC pollinosis. We reported the important tree pollen antigens in 2016. We have now estimated the longitudinal investigated results for successful prevention and treatment for allergic symptoms related to grass and weed pollen in Japan. METHOD: Since July 1986 we have monitored airborne pollen, year- round, using a gravitational pollen sampler (Durham's sampler), at more than 20 locations across Japan. Specimens were mailed to our facility, where they were stained with Calberla solution, counted under an optical microscope, and converted to the number of pollen per square centimeter. For convenience the number of collected pollen were compiled every six months, with the January to June samples classified as spring pollen and the July to December as autumn pollen even same family. RESULT: Total pollen counts at each location were extremely small compared to tree-pollen, averaging 73~650 pollen grains per year. The Sagamihara location had the greatest count. Unlike cedar and cypress there were no significant annual fluctuations, but grass and Ambrosia pollen counts are increasing in some regions. Spring grass pollen gave the largest count, at 30% of the total collected. CONCLUSION: This indicated we need to examine the rinoconjuctivitis and oral allergy syndrome related to herbaceous pollen carefully.The importance of airborne pollen surveys for the treatment of the patients with pollen allergies was suggested.

Japanese guidelines for allergic rhinitis 2017.

Like asthma and atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis is an allergic disease, but of the three, it is the only type I allergic disease. Allergic rhinitis includes pollinosis, which is intractable and reduces quality of life (QOL) when it becomes severe. A guideline is needed to understand allergic rhinitis and to use this knowledge to develop a treatment plan. In Japan, the first guideline was prepared after a symposium held by the Japanese Society of Allergology in 1993. The current 8th edition was published in 2016, and is widely used today. To incorporate evidence based medicine (EBM) introduced from abroad, the most recent collection of evidence/literature was supplemented to the Practical Guideline for the Management of Allergic Rhinitis in Japan 2016. The revised guideline includes assessment of diagnosis/treatment and prescriptions for children and pregnant women, for broad clinical applications. An evidence-based step-by-step strategy for treatment is also described. In addition, the QOL concept and cost benefit analyses are also addressed. Along with Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact of Asthma (ARIA), this guideline is widely used for various clinical purposes, such as measures for patients with sinusitis, childhood allergic rhinitis, oral allergy syndrome, and anaphylaxis and for pregnant women. A Q&A section regarding allergic rhinitis in Japan was added to the end of this guideline.

LONGITUDINAL MONITORING OF TREE AIRBORNE POLLEN IN JAPAN.

RATIONAL: In Japan patients with Japanese Cedar (JC) pollinosis have increased nation widely since the latter of 1970's. The Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japanese Governments has begun to take preventive measures against JC pollinosis and airborne pollen monitoring has begun to investigate as a causative agent since 1986. We have estimated the longitudinal investigation result for successful prevention and treatment against pollinosis in Japan. METHOD: We have monitored airborne pollen all year around since July 1986 by gravitational pollen sampler, Durham's sampler, at more than 20 locations in the Japanese Islands. Pollen samples were sent to our hospital and counted pollen number per cm2 after stained by Calberla solution and then classified main pollen grains as a causative agent of pollinosis. RESULT AND DISCUSSION: JC pollen number was the most of all, more than 40%, next cypress family, about 20%. They were occupied of more than 60% of all and they increased with the remarkable annual fluctuation as the allergen of JC pollinosis. Beech family pollen counting were also increasing and occupied about 10% of all pollen counts. In Hokkaido the prevalence of birch family pollen count was larger than that in other districts. There is cross-reactivity between beech and birch family which related with oral allergic syndrome.Perspective and Conclusion: In future new occurrences of oral allergy syndrome due to increasing allergic tree pollen grains would be appeared. The contentious pollen research should be important for patients with pollinosis in Japan.

Effects of antihistamine on up-regulation of histamine H1 receptor mRNA in the nasal mucosa of patients with pollinosis induced by controlled cedar pollen challenge in an environmental exposure unit.

In the present study, we examined the effects of antihistamine on the up-regulation of H1R mRNA in the nasal mucosa of patients with pollinosis induced by controlled exposure to pollen using an environmental exposure unit. Out of 20 patients, we designated 14 responders, whose levels of H1R mRNA in the nasal mucosa were increased after the first pollen exposure and excluded 6 non-responders. Accordingly, the first exposure to pollen without treatment significantly induced both nasal symptoms and the up-regulation of H1R mRNA in the nasal mucosa of the responders. Subsequently, prophylactic administration of antihistamine prior to the second pollen exposure significantly inhibited both of the above effects in the responders. Moreover, the nasal expression of H1R mRNA before the second pollen exposure in the responders pretreated with antihistamine was significantly decreased, as compared with that before the first pollen exposure without treatment. These findings suggest that antihistamines suppressed histamine-induced transcriptional activation of H1R gene in the nasal mucosa, in addition to their blocking effect against histamine on H1R, resulting in a decrease of nasal symptoms. These findings further suggest that by their inverse agonistic activity, antihistamines suppress the basal transcription of nasal H1R in the absence of histamine in responders.

Effects of bifidobacterial supplementation to pregnant women and infants in the prevention of allergy development in infants and on fecal microbiota.

BACKGROUND: Probiotic administration may be a useful method for preventing allergies in infants; however, there have been controversial results about the efficacy. We investigated the effects of bifidobacterial supplementation on the risk of developing allergic diseases in the Japanese population. METHODS: In an open trial, we gave Bifidobacterium breve M-16V and Bifidobacterium longum BB536 prenatally to 130 mothers beginning 1 month prior to delivery and postnatally to their infants for 6 months. Another 36 mother-infant pairs served as controls and did not receive the bifidobacterial supplementation. Development of allergic symptoms in the infants was assessed at 4, 10 and 18 months of age. Fecal samples were collected from the mothers and infants. RESULTS: The risk of developing eczema/atopic dermatitis (AD) during the first 18 months of life was significantly reduced in infants in the probiotic group (OR: 0.231 [95% CI: 0.084-0.628] and 0.304 [0.105-0.892] at 10 and 18 months of age, respectively). Pyrosequencing analyses indicated an altered composition of the fecal microbiota at 4 months for infants who developed eczema/AD at 4 and 10 months of age. The proportion of Proteobacteria was significantly lower (P = 0.007) in mothers at the time of delivery who received the supplementation when compared with the control group and was positively correlated (r = 0.283, P = 0.024) with that of infants at 4 months of age. No adverse effects were related to the use of probiotics. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the prenatal and postnatal supplementation of bifidobacteria is effective in primary preventing allergic diseases. Some limited changes in the composition of fecal microbiota by the bifidobacterial supplementation were observed.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin gene promoter polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to bronchial asthma.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) triggers dendritic cell--mediated T helper (Th) 2 inflammatory responses. A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs3806933, in the promoter region of the TSLP gene creates a binding site for the transcription factor activating protein (AP)-1. The variant enhances AP-1 binding to the regulatory element, and increases the promoter--reporter activity of TSLP in response to polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly[I:C]) stimulation in normal human bronchial epithelium (NHBE). We investigated whether polymorphisms including the SNP rs3806933 could affect the susceptibility to and clinical phenotypes of bronchial asthma. We selected three representative (i.e., Tag) SNPs and conducted association studies of the TSLP gene, using two independent populations (639 patients with childhood atopic asthma and 838 control subjects, and 641 patients with adult asthma and 376 control subjects, respectively). We further examined the effects of corticosteroids and a long-acting ß(2)-agonist (salmeterol) on the expression levels of the TSLP gene in response to poly(I:C) in NHBE. We found that the promoter polymorphisms rs3806933 and rs2289276 were significantly associated with disease susceptibility in both childhood atopic and adult asthma. The functional SNP rs3806933 was associated with asthma (meta-analysis, P = 0.000056; odds ratio, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-1.47). A genotype of rs2289278 was correlated with pulmonary function. Moreover, the induction of TSLP mRNA and protein expression induced by poly(I:C) in NHBE was synergistically impaired by a corticosteroid and salmeterol. TSLP variants are significantly associated with bronchial asthma and pulmonary function. Thus, TSLP may serve as a therapeutic target molecule for combination therapy.

[Nonspecific IgE potential in nasal discharge for diagnosing allergic rhinitis].

Given that the nasal discharge of subjects with allergic rhinitis contains IgE, we studied nonspecific IgE potential in nasal discharge as a diagnostic marker for allergic rhinitis. We divided 38 adults into 2 groups, one with 22 with Japanese cedar pollinosis and one with 16 with watery rhinorrhea negative to MAST33. The pollinosis group was exposed to Japanese cedar pollen in an environmental exposure unit, and eosinophils in nasal discharge, serum total IgE, pollen-specific IgE, and local IgE in nasal discharge were examined for the 2 groups to determine IgE levels in nasal discharge using the Allerwatch rapid test. In the pollinosis group, nasal discharge IgE correlated significantly with the number of eosinophils. The nasal discharge IgE had higher specificity than the eosinophil examination, whereas nasal discharge eosinophils had higher sensitivity than the IgE examination. We thus found that measuring IgE and eosinophils in nasal discharge is useful for clinically diagnosing allergic rhinitis.

A functional polymorphism in IL-18 is associated with severity of bronchial asthma.

RATIONALE: IL-18 is a unique cytokine that enhances innate immunity and both Th1- and Th2-driven immune responses. Recent murine and human genetic studies have shown its role in the pathogenesis of asthma. OBJECTIVES: We conducted an association study in a Japanese population to discover variants of IL-18 that might have an effect on asthma susceptibility and/or progression and conducted functional analyses of the related variants. METHODS: The IL-18 gene locus was resequenced in 48 human chromosomes. Asthma severity was determined according to the 2002 Global Initiative for Asthma Guidelines. Association and haplotype analyses were performed using 1,172 subjects. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Although no polymorphisms differed significantly in frequency between the control and adult asthma groups, rs5744247 C>G was significantly associated with the severity of adult asthma (steps 1, 2 vs. steps 3, 4; P = 0.0034). We also found a positive association with a haplotype (P = 0.0026). By in vitro functional analyses, the rs5744247 variant was found to increase enhancer-reporter activity of the IL-18 gene in bronchial epithelial cells. Expression levels of IL-18 in response to LPS stimulation in monocytes were significantly greater in subjects homozygous for the susceptibility G allele at rs5744247 C>G. Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between the serum IL-18 level and the genotype of rs5744247 (P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Although the association results need to be replicated by other studies, IL-18 variants are significantly associated with asthma severity, and the rs5744247 variant reflects higher transcriptional activity and higher expression of IL-18 in LPS-stimulated monocytes and a higher serum IL-18 level.

Associations of functional NLRP3 polymorphisms with susceptibility to food-induced anaphylaxis and aspirin-induced asthma.

BACKGROUND: NLR family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), controls the activity of inflammatory caspase-1 by forming inflammasomes, which leads to cleavage of the procytokines IL-1beta and IL-18. Recent studies have shown associations of human NLRP3 polymorphisms with susceptibility to various inflammatory diseases; however, the association with allergic diseases remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine whether NLRP3 polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to food allergy, food-induced anaphylaxis, and aspirin-induced asthma (AIA). METHODS: We selected 15 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of NLRP3 and conducted association analyses of NLRP3 using 574 and 1279 samples for food allergy and AIA, respectively. We further performed functional analyses of the susceptible SNPs. RESULTS: Two NLRP3 SNPs (rs4612666 and rs10754558) were significantly associated with susceptibility to food-induced anaphylaxis (P = .00086 and P = .00068, respectively). The NLRP3 haplotype of the 2 SNPs also showed a significant association (P = .000098). We could confirm the association with susceptibility to another hypersensitivity phenotype, AIA (rs4612666, P = .0096). Functional analysis revealed that the risk alleles of rs4612666 and rs10754558 increased the enhancer activity of NLRP3 expression and NLRP3 mRNA stability, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the NLRP3 SNPs might play an important role in the development of food-induced anaphylaxis and AIA in a gain-of-function manner. Further research on the NLRP3 inflammasome will contribute to the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic methods for food-induced anaphylaxis and AIA.

Enhancement of anti-allergic effects mediated by the Kampo medicine Shoseiryuto (Xiao-Qing-Long-Tang in Chinese) with lysed Enterococcus faecalis FK-23 in mice.

Kampo is a traditional Japanese medicine originating from ancient Chinese medicine which included the administration of herbal prescription, lifestyle advice and acupuncture. Orally administered Kampo prescriptions are believed to be influenced by diet and intestinal microbiota. However, reports on the Kampo administration effects are still limited. Shoseiryuto (TJ-19), which has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties, is a Kampo prescription used clinically for the treatment of allergic bronchial asthma. We examined whether Shoseiryuto administration is affected by a probiotic product, lysed Enterococcus faecalis FK-23 (LFK). BALB/c mice were sensitized with cedar pollen allergen, and the peritoneal accumulation of eosinophils was induced. During a sensitization period of 21 days, varying amounts of Shoseiryuto (and saline as a control) were administered to the mice. The accumulation of eosinophils was significantly reduced by 30 mg/day doses of Shoseiryuto but not by 3 or 9 mg/day doses. Similarly, 3 mg/day Shoseiryuto, 30 mg/day LFK, 3 mg/day of Shoseiryuto co-administered with 30 mg/day of LFK, and saline control were compared. A significant reduction in the accumulation of eosinophils was observed at 3 mg/day Shoseiryuto co-administered with 30 mg/day of LFK. These results suggest that Shoseiryuto-mediated anti-allergic effects are enhanced by the probiotic (LFK). Although not significant statistically, serum allergen-specific and total IgE levels in the treatment group exposed to the mixed agent (ie. Shoseiryuto and LFK) were generally lower than those receiving either one alone. The results indicate a synergistic effect of a Kampo medicine (Shoseiryuto, Xiao-Qing-Long-Tang in Chinese) and lysed Enterococcus faecalis FK-23 on allergic responses in mice.

[Highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the quantification of allergens from Dermatophagoides, DER p 1 and DER f 1].

AIM: In order to specifically quantify the two major Dermatophagoides spp. allergens, Der p 1 and Der f 1, separately, we tried to establish a highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). METHODS: Ninety-six-well ELISA plates were coated with mouse monoclonal antibodies specific against Der p 1 or Der f 1. Allergen samples were incubated in the wells for 2 hours at 37 degrees C. After washing with PBS-T, biotinylated rabbit anti-Der 1 polyclonal antibody was added to the wells. The allergens were detected using horse radish peroxidase-conjugated streptavidin, an enzyme substrate (TMB/H2O2) and a microplate reader. RESULTS: The working range of both ELISA systems for Der p 1 and Der f 1 was 40-2500 pg/ml. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation for reproducibility were 0.99-4.38% and 0.68-3.02%, respectively, in Der p 1 ELISA and 1.54-3.65% and 0.39-4.77%, respectively, in Der f 1 ELISA. Moreover, these ELISA systems showed that there was no cross-reactivity between Der p 1 and Der f 1 allergens. CONCLUSION: These ELISA systems may be useful for measuring less than 1 ng/ml of major mite allergens in house dust samples, various pharmaceutical studies such as evaluation of an allergen-inactivating agent, and standardizing recombinant/natural Dermatophagoides spp. allergens.

Behavior of eukaryotic symbionts in large benthic foraminifers Calcarina gaudichaudii and Baculogypsina sphaerulata under exposure to wastewater.

Large benthic foraminifers (LBFs) are significant contributors to coral island formation in the Pacific Ocean. In recent years, the population of LBFs has decreased because of the increase in anthropogenic influences, such as wastewater (WW) discharge. To implement efficient mitigation measures, pollution tolerance in LBFs should be understood. However, the effects of WW on LBFs and their symbionts have not yet been demonstrated. This study examined the changes in the photosynthetic efficiency (Y[II]) of Calcarina gaudichaudii and Baculogypsina sphaerulata in response to WW by using a pulse-amplitude-modulation fluorometer. These LBFs were exposed to WW with different dilution levels for 22 days. The Y(II) values of the LBFs were found to deteriorate within 1-2 days. However, the Y(II) values both deteriorated and were enhanced in the experiments, thus indicating that WW contains both harmful and beneficial components. Baculogypsina sphaerulata showed an earlier response and greater sensitivity to WW and a higher epibiont infestation than C. gaudichaudii. This result can be attributed to the differences in the physiological and morphological responses of distinct LBFs. A sequencing analysis of 18S rDNA confirmed that the dominant eukaryotic symbionts in the two LBFs studied were Ochrophyta and Labyrinthulomycetes. These eukaryotic symbionts were released and attached as epibionts onto LBFs that were exposed to WW, thus leading to an increase in inactive LBFs. The Shannon-Weaver and Simpson diversity indices revealed that eukaryotic symbiont communities decreased in biodiversity after exposure to WW because of the abundance of algal symbionts. On the basis of these results, we conclude that WW, even with 10,000 × dilution, causes a decrease in active LBF populations owing to the release of eukaryotic symbionts, the decrease in biodiversity, and the infestation of epibionts even though Y(II) is temporarily enhanced. These responses are more significant in B. sphaerulata than in C. gaudichaudii.

Functional analysis of the thymic stromal lymphopoietin variants in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an IL-7-like cytokine that triggers dendritic cell-mediated T helper (Th)2 inflammatory responses, and is implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases in humans. Two TSLP splice variants have been reported. To find functional genetic variants that might contribute to disease, we conducted analyses of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the TSLP gene in human bronchial epithelial cells. We surveyed SNPs on the TSLP gene by sequencing genomic DNA from 36 subjects, and characterized the linkage disequilibrium of the gene. We examined whether the SNPs have functional effects on mRNA expression or protein production using real-time PCR, reporter gene analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We identified a total of 23 polymorphisms in the TSLP gene. The long form of TSLP, which is associated with allergic inflammation, was highly induced by poly(I:C) (double-stranded RNA) stimulation in normal human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBE) (P = 0.0060). The SNP rs3806933 (-847C > T) in the promoter region of long-form TSLP was found to create a binding site for the transcription factor activating protein (AP)-1, and in vitro functional analyses demonstrated that the SNP enhanced AP-1 binding to the regulatory element. The functional variant increased promoter-reporter activity of long-form TSLP in response to poly(I:C) stimulation in NHBE. Functional genetic polymorphism of the TSLP gene appears to contribute to Th2-polarized immunity through higher TSLP production by bronchial epithelial cells in response to viral respiratory infections.

Effects of Enterococcus sp. isolated from deep seawater on inhibition of allergic responses in mice.

The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of Enterococcus sp. strain TN-3 isolated from deep seawater on inhibition of eosinophil accumulation, IgE production and active cutaneous anaphylaxis (ACA). We investigated the effects of viable and non-viable TN-3 on allergen-induced peritoneal eosinophil accumulation in mice. Viable (5.4 x 1010 colony-forming units per 60 mg) or non-viable TN-3 (60 mg) was orally administered to BALB/c mice that had been sensitised with the cedar pollen (Cryptomeria japonica) allergen. Oral administration of non-viable TN-3 was effective in suppressing eosinophil accumulation while viable TN-3 was ineffective. We also examined the dose-response relationship for non-viable TN-3 in regard to eosinophil accumulation, IgE production and ACA in allergen-primed mice. Non-viable TN-3 was orally administered at doses of 15 mg (low dose), 30 mg (medium dose) and 60 mg (high dose) to BALB/c mice that had been sensitised with cedar pollen allergen. The anti-allergic effects expressed as inhibition of eosinophil accumulation, IgE production and ACA were found at the low and high doses, but not at the medium dose. These results suggest that non-viable TN-3 exhibited anti-allergic effects at doses of 15 and 60 mg.

Clinical efficacy of halophilic lactic acid bacterium Tetragenococcus halophilus Th221 from soy sauce moromi for perennial allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Recently, some common foods in daily life, especially lactic acid bacteria, have been found to have anti-allergic effects. We previously isolated a halophilic lactic acid bacterium, Tetragenococcus halophilus Th221, from soy sauce moromi, a mixture of koji and salt solution, and showed that it possesses an immunomodulatory activity that promotes T helper type 1 immunity. METHODS: To evaluate the anti-allergic effects of Th221, we performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 45 subjects with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) treated by oral administration of Th221 (high dose, 60 mg/day, 15 subjects; low dose, 20.4 mg/day, 15 subjects) or a placebo (15 subjects) for 8 weeks. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the groups that ingested Th221 and the placebo group regarding the disease severities, total nasal symptom scores and total nasal sign scores examined by physicians. However, the disease severity examined by physicians significantly improved in the high-dose group at the end of the trial compared with the beginning (p < 0.05). The total score for nasal symptoms of subjects who received a high dose of Th221 also showed a significant improvement at the end of the trial compared with the beginning (p < 0.01). According to the subjects' diaries, significant improvements in sneezing and rhinorrhea were observed during some periods in the high-dose group. The change in serum total immunoglobulin E improved significantly at the end of the trial compared with the beginning in this group (p < 0.05). The safety of Th221 treatment was confirmed by laboratory tests and inspection of the general condition of each subject. CONCLUSIONS: Th221 can be expected to safely improve the symptoms of PAR.

[A case presenting anaphylaxis shock after intake of capsule packing cedar pollen].

The prevalence of Japanese cedar pollinosis is high to 26.5%, and it is properly remarked as "national disease" in Japan. General therapy strategies are composed of self-care by using mask or glasses to avoid antigen, and medical-care by using second-generation antihistamines or nasal corticosteroid spray. Meanwhile, there are other so-called self-medication patients who utilize health foods but do not consult to any physician. Papilla, commercial name of one kind of those health foods, is a capsular packed with cedar pollen. In February 2007, we experienced a 49-year-old female patient who presented anaphylaxis shock after intake of Papilla capsular. In this case, her special-IgE antibody and histamine release test were both positive to cedar pollen. Although Cry j 1, the major allergen in the Papilla capsular is a small amount, the cause of anaphylaxis can not be reasoned as anything except the pollen contents in this product. In conclusion, it is appropriate to consider it exercise induce anaphylaxis shock due to playing tennis after intake of the capsular.