Research advances in IL-33 and its receptor ST2L in allergic rhinitis / 天津医药

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a noninfectious inflammatory response in nasal mucosa caused by allergens, which is contacted by a specific individual. The immune imbalance of Th1/Th2 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AR. In?terleukin (IL)-33, the novel cytokine of IL-1 family, is an important regulatory factor of allergic diseases, autoimmune diseas?es and various inflammatory diseases. IL-33 is a kind of alarm, which is mainly secreted and released by damaged tissues and cells, especially impaired epithelial cells and endothelial cells. IL-33 binding to its receptor ST2L can activate a variety of immune cells to produce Th2 cytokines, precipitating and maintaining Th2 polarization, increasing AR immune inflamma?tion, which is the new target of AR in research and treatment. In this article, we have done a brief overview for the biological functions of IL-33 and its receptor ST2L and the research progress in the AR.

Modulation of Antibody Responses against Gnathostoma spinigerum in Mice Immunized with Crude Antigen Formulated in CpG Oligonucleotide and Montanide ISA720

This study aimed to investigate the antibody responses in mice immunized with Gnathostoma spinigerum crude antigen (GsAg) incorporated with the combined adjuvant, a synthetic oligonucleotide containing unmethylated CpG motif (CpG ODN 1826) and a stable water in oil emulsion (Montanide ISA720). Mice immunized with GsAg and combined adjuvant produced all antibody classes and subclasses to GsAg except IgA. IgG2a/2b/3 but not IgG1 subclasses were enhanced by immunization with CpG ODN 1826 when compared with the control groups immunized with non-CpG ODN and Montanide ISA or only with Montanide ISA, suggesting a biased induction of a Th1-type response by CpG ODN. After challenge infection with live G. spinigerum larvae, the levels of IgG2a/2b/3 antibody subclasses decreased immediately and continuously, while the IgG1 subclass remained at high levels. This also corresponded to a continuous decrease of the IgG2a/IgG1 ratio after infection. Only IgM and IgG1 antibodies, but not IgG2a/2b/3, were significantly produced in adjuvant control groups after infection. These findings suggest that G. spinigerum infection potently induces a Th2-type biased response.

IL-5 and IFN-gamma levels of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in patients with acute asthma and acute respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis / 천식및알레르기

INTRODUCTION: Our previous BAL study demonstrated that there were different implications of cell types between acute bronchiolitis and acute asthma. No data on airway cytokine responses in these two diseases is available. The aim of this study was to compare the pattern of cytokine response (Th1 or Th2) in the airways between these two diseases. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Using BAL, this study investigated the cytokine levels of BALF in children with acute asthma (n=12, median age 5.0 years) and infants with acute bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (n=14, median age 1.4 years). Comparisons were made with normal controls (n=8, median age 5.1 years). BAL cell counts and differentials were determined. Interferon(IFN)-gamma (Th1), interleukin(IL)-4, and IL-5 (Th2) levels were measured in concentrated BALF by ELISA. RESULTS: The IL-5 levels were significantly increased in asthma group (p=0.000) and bronchiolitis group (p=0.023) compared with control group. The IL-5/IFN-gamma ratios were signifi- cantly increased in asthma group (p=0.000) and bronchiolitis group (p=0.039) compared with control group. The asthma group had significant elevations in IL-5 levels (p=0.001) and IL-5/ IFN-gamma ratios (p=0.046) compared to bronchiolitis group. IL-4 levels were at or below the level of detection in all subjects. The number of BAL eosinophils correlated (r=0.71, p=0.002) with the levels of BALF IL-5 in asthma group and bronchiolitis group. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that RSV bronchiolitis results in Th2-type response as asthma, which could provide a valuable framework for explaining a link between RSV bron- chiolitis and asthma.