Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology
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The release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from the airway epithelial cells during the inflammatory process is considered to play an important role in the pathophysiology of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. ⋯ Pre-treatment with ATP induces hyperresponsiveness to MCh mediated by Ca2+ sensitization via the P2X receptor in airway smooth muscle. The present findings suggest the possible involvement of both the Rho-kinase and Src pathways in the intracellular mechanism of this phenomenon.
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Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction, and food is one of the most common responsible allergens in the outpatient setting. The prevalence of food-induced anaphylaxis has been steadily rising. Education regarding food allergen avoidance is crucial as most of the fatal reactions occurred in those with known food allergies. ⋯ Prompt recognition of anaphylaxis is essential as delayed treatment has been associated with fatalities. Although epinephrine is accepted as the treatment of choice, timely administration does not always occur, partly due to a lack of awareness of the diagnostic criteria. Several novel tools are currently being investigated, which will potentially aid in the diagnosis and treatment of food-induced anaphylaxis.
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Many clinical and epidemiological studies have measured the prevalence of IgE sensitization using skin tests and/or serum-specific IgE. Most of them have been done in only one country using a battery of selected allergens relevant to that country. In multi-centre studies, the number of tested allergens is often limited by the cost. It is therefore difficult to compare prevalence of sensitized subjects between studies. ⋯ Seven selected allergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, cat, grass, birch, olive pollen, Alternaria and Cladosporium) allow the identification of almost all sensitized subjects in epidemiologic studies. Inclusion of local allergen should be considered in a standard panel for international studies.
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Microbial intestinal colonization in early in life is regarded to play a major role for the maturation of the immune system. Application of non-pathogenic probiotic bacteria during early infancy might protect from allergic disorders but underlying mechanisms have not been analysed so far. ⋯ Neonatal application of probiotic bacteria inhibits subsequent allergic sensitization and airway disease in a murine model of asthma by induction of T regulatory cells associated with increased TGF-beta production.
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Clinical studies indicate that maternal exposure to probiotic bacteria may protect from the development of allergic disease later in life. ⋯ Our data suggest that LGG may exert beneficial effects on the development of experimental allergic asthma, when applied in a very early phase of life. Immunological effects are, at least in parts, mediated via the placenta, probably by induction of pro-inflammatory cell signals.