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1.
Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol ; 44(4): 517-23, 2011 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20539012

ABSTRACT

Although the concept of "global airway allergy" has become widely accepted during recent years, nasobronchial interaction and its mechanisms remain incompletely understood. The experimental study of the effect of nasal allergen deposition on lower airway pathology is hampered by the difficulty of avoiding lower airway penetration of the allergens. In ovalbumin-sensitized mice with experimental airway allergy, nasal allergen provocations were performed after complete anatomical separation of upper and lower airways by means of a tracheotomy. A canula was inserted in the trachea, and the trachea was ligated, thus inhibiting any passage of allergens from upper to lower airways. Mice showed bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine as early as 4 hours after nasal allergen provocation in the absence of recruitment of inflammatory cells. An increased substance P (SP) concentration in the bronchial lumen was found, as well as an increased number of SP-positive pulmonary nerves. Treatment with a neurokinin (NK) 1 receptor antagonist abolished the allergen-induced bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Moreover, endobronchial administration of SP caused NK1 receptor-dependent bronchial hyperresponsiveness in mice with airway allergy. Nasal allergen provocation rapidly induces bronchial hyperresponsiveness via pulmonary up-regulation of SP and activation of NK1 receptors.


Subject(s)
Allergens/immunology , Bronchial Hyperreactivity/immunology , Nasal Provocation Tests , Substance P/metabolism , Administration, Inhalation , Animals , Asthma/immunology , Asthma/pathology , Asthma/physiopathology , Bronchi/drug effects , Bronchi/immunology , Bronchi/pathology , Bronchial Hyperreactivity/complications , Bronchial Hyperreactivity/pathology , Immunization , Leukocyte Count , Male , Methacholine Chloride/pharmacology , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists , Ovalbumin/immunology , Receptors, Neurokinin-1/metabolism , Substance P/administration & dosage , Substance P/pharmacology , Tryptophan/analogs & derivatives , Tryptophan/pharmacology , Up-Regulation/drug effects
2.
Int Arch Allergy Immunol ; 152(3): 233-42, 2010.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20150741

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mouse models of asthma suffer from the necessity to prime the animals by injections before respiratory exposure. Our aim was to develop a mouse model that mimics the progression of human allergic disease upon low-dose inhaled allergen exposure. METHODS: Mice were primed intraperitoneally to ovalbumin (OVA) before they were exposed repeatedly to aerosols of either OVA, ryegrass (Lolium perenne) pollen extract, or both concomitantly. The sensitization to ryegrass pollen proteins was evaluated by measurement of specific serum antibody, by the respiratory response to a challenge with ryegrass pollen extract and by lung cytokine production after challenge. RESULTS: Inhalation of ryegrass pollen extract alone did not result in sensitization. Sensitization to inhaled ryegrass pollen proteins, however, did occur in mice that had been sensitized to OVA by intraperitoneal injections and were then exposed to inhaled ryegrass pollen extract and OVA simultaneously. T and B cell priming was ascertained by ryegrass pollen-specific IgG1 and IgE antibody production and by induction of airway inflammation and of Th2 cytokine mRNA transcripts in the lungs upon airway challenge with ryegrass pollen extract. A progressive spread of the IgE/IgG1 response to different ryegrass pollen proteins could be visualized in immunoblots by comparing antibody patterns at day 56 and 86. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose inhalatory allergen exposure results in sensitization when airways are exposed at the same time to another allergen to which the animals are already sensitized. This model can help to unravel the mechanisms that underlie the development and progression of respiratory allergic diseases.


Subject(s)
Disease Models, Animal , Immunization/methods , Lolium/immunology , Pollen/immunology , Respiratory Hypersensitivity/immunology , Airway Resistance/physiology , Animals , Antigens, Plant/administration & dosage , Antigens, Plant/immunology , Blotting, Western , Bronchial Hyperreactivity/physiopathology , Bronchial Provocation Tests , Gene Expression/genetics , Gene Expression/immunology , Immunoglobulin E/blood , Immunoglobulin E/immunology , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Immunoglobulin G/immunology , Inflammation/pathology , Interleukin-13/genetics , Interleukin-4/genetics , Interleukin-5/genetics , Lung/metabolism , Lung/pathology , Male , Methacholine Chloride/pharmacology , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Ovalbumin/administration & dosage , Ovalbumin/immunology , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Plant Extracts/immunology , Plant Proteins/administration & dosage , Plant Proteins/immunology , Pollen/chemistry , Respiratory Hypersensitivity/metabolism , Respiratory Hypersensitivity/pathology , Respiratory Hypersensitivity/physiopathology , Th2 Cells/immunology , Th2 Cells/metabolism
3.
Am J Respir Crit Care Med ; 178(12): 1219-26, 2008 Dec 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18849500

ABSTRACT

RATIONALE: Mechanical ventilation is known to induce ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction. Patients submitted to mechanical ventilation often receive massive doses of corticosteroids that may cause further deterioration of diaphragm function. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether the combination of 24 hours of controlled mechanical ventilation with corticosteroid administration would exacerbate ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction. METHODS: Rats were randomly assigned to a group submitted to 24 hours of controlled mechanical ventilation receiving an intramuscular injection of saline or 80 mg/kg methylprednisolone, a group submitted to 24 hours of spontaneous breathing receiving saline, or methylprednisolone and a control group. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The diaphragm force-frequency curve was shifted downward in the mechanical ventilation group, but this deleterious effect was prevented when corticosteroids were administered. Diaphragm cross-sectional area of type I fibers was similarly decreased in both mechanical ventilation groups while atrophy of type IIx/b fibers was attenuated after corticosteroid administration. The mechanical ventilation-induced reduction in diaphragm MyoD and myogenin protein expression was attenuated after corticosteroids. Plasma cytokine levels were unchanged while diaphragm lipid hydroperoxides were similarly increased in both mechanical ventilation groups. Diaphragmatic calpain activity was significantly increased in the mechanical ventilation group, but calpain activation was abated with corticosteroid administration. Inverse correlations were found between calpain activity and diaphragm force. CONCLUSIONS: A single high dose of methylprednisolone combined with controlled mechanical ventilation protected diaphragm function from the deleterious effects of controlled mechanical ventilation. Inhibition of the calpain system is most likely the mechanism by which corticosteroids induce this protective effect.


Subject(s)
Diaphragm/drug effects , Glucocorticoids/administration & dosage , Methylprednisolone/administration & dosage , Muscular Diseases/physiopathology , Respiration, Artificial/adverse effects , Animals , Blotting, Western , Calpain/metabolism , Diaphragm/metabolism , Diaphragm/physiopathology , Disease Models, Animal , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Gene Expression/drug effects , Injections, Intramuscular , Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects , Male , Muscle Contraction/drug effects , Muscular Diseases/drug therapy , Muscular Diseases/etiology , MyoD Protein/biosynthesis , MyoD Protein/genetics , Myogenin/biosynthesis , Myogenin/genetics , RNA/genetics , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Treatment Outcome
4.
J Immunol ; 181(2): 1034-42, 2008 Jul 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18606655

ABSTRACT

Blocking of costimulatory signals for T cell activation leads to tolerance in several transplantation models, but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. We analyzed the involvement of regulatory T cells (Treg) and deletion of alloreactive cells in the induction and maintenance of tolerance after costimulation blockade in a mouse model of graft-vs-host reaction. Injection of splenocytes from the C57BL/6 parent strain into a sublethally irradiated F(1) offspring (C57BL/6 x C3H) induced a GVHR characterized by severe pancytopenia. Treatment with anti-CD40L mAb and CTLA4-Ig every 3 days during 3 wk after splenocyte injection prevented disease development and induced a long-lasting state of stable mixed chimerism (>120 days). In parallel, host-specific tolerance was achieved as demonstrated by lack of host-directed alloreactivity of donor-type T cells in vitro and in vivo. Chimerism and tolerance were also obtained after CD25(+) cell-depleted splenocyte transfer, showing that CD25(+) natural Treg are not essential for tolerance induction. We further show that costimulation blockade results in enhanced Treg cell activity at early time points (days 6-30) after splenocyte transfer. This was demonstrated by the presence of a high percentage of Foxp3(+) cells among donor CD4(+) cells in the spleen of treated animals, and our finding that isolated donor-type T cells at an early time point (day 30) after splenocyte transfer displayed suppressive capacity in vitro. At later time points (>30 days after splenocyte transfer), clonal deletion of host-reactive T cells was found to be a major mechanism responsible for tolerance.


Subject(s)
Graft vs Host Disease/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , Transplantation Tolerance , Adoptive Transfer , Animals , B7-1 Antigen/immunology , B7-1 Antigen/metabolism , B7-2 Antigen/immunology , B7-2 Antigen/metabolism , CD28 Antigens/immunology , CD28 Antigens/metabolism , CD40 Antigens/immunology , CD40 Antigens/metabolism , CD40 Ligand/immunology , CD40 Ligand/metabolism , Female , Forkhead Transcription Factors/immunology , Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism , Graft vs Host Disease/metabolism , Lymphocyte Activation , Mice , Mice, Inbred C3H , Mice, Inbred C57BL , T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/metabolism , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism , Transplantation Chimera/immunology
5.
Mol Immunol ; 43(3): 226-35, 2006 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16199259

ABSTRACT

Allergic symptoms in sensitized individuals are caused by proteins named allergens. We report here the cloning and the production of the cyclophilin Bet v 7, one of the birch pollen allergens. Recombinant Bet v 7 was produced in bacteria and used to raise a rabbit anti-Bet v 7 antiserum. With this antiserum we detected cyclophilin A in several pollen species and we demonstrated immunological cross-reactivity among those plant cyclophilins A by immunoblot and ELISA inhibition experiments. However, we could not detect cyclophilins in extracts of animal or mould origin with our anti-Bet v 7 antiserum. By inhibition experiments with purified mould cyclophilins, we confirmed the absence of cross-reactivity between plant cyclophilins and non-plant cyclophilins. In addition, our results indicate that the level of immunological cross-reactivity correlates with the level of sequence identity among the cyclophilin A family. This allowed us to define the plant cyclophilin A sub-family as being immunologically distinct, which might have implications at the clinical level in the allergy practice.


Subject(s)
Allergens/genetics , Betula/genetics , Cyclophilin A/genetics , Plant Leaves/genetics , Plant Proteins/genetics , Allergens/immunology , Animals , Antibodies/chemistry , Antigens, Plant , Betula/chemistry , Betula/immunology , Cyclophilin A/chemistry , Cyclophilin A/immunology , Fungi/chemistry , Fungi/genetics , Fungi/immunology , Humans , Hypersensitivity/immunology , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Plant Leaves/immunology , Plant Proteins/immunology , Pollen/genetics , Pollen/immunology , Rabbits , Species Specificity
6.
Crit Care Med ; 33(12): 2804-9, 2005 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16352963

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Short-term mechanical ventilation has been proven to reduce diaphragm force and fiber dimensions. We hypothesized that intermittent spontaneous breathing during the course of mechanical ventilation would minimize the effects of mechanical ventilation on diaphragm force and expression levels of transcription factors (MyoD and myogenin). DESIGN: Randomized, controlled experiment. SETTING: Animal basic science laboratory. SUBJECTS: Male Wistar rats, weighing 350-500 g. INTERVENTIONS: Anesthetized and tracheotomized rats were submitted to either 24 hrs of spontaneous breathing (SB, n = 5), 24 hrs of continuous controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV, n = 7), or controlled mechanical ventilation with intermittent spontaneous breathing: 60 mins every 5 hrs of mechanical ventilation repeated four times (ISB60, n = 8) or 5 mins every 5 hrs 55 mins of mechanical ventilation repeated four times (SB5, n = 9). They were compared with control animals free from intervention (C, n = 5). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The profile of the diaphragm force-frequency curve of the controls and SB group was significantly different from that of the ISB and CMV groups; especially, the mean asymptotic force was less in the ISB and CMV compared with controls and SB. CMV resulted in a significant decrease in the diaphragm type I (-26%, p < .05 vs. C) and type IIx/b (-39%, p < .005 vs. C and SB) cross-sectional area, whereas this was not observed in the ISB groups. Diaphragm MyoD protein expression was significantly decreased after ISB60 (-35%, p < .0001 vs. C and SB) and even more after CMV (-73%, p < .0001 vs. others). The same pattern was observed with myogenin protein levels. Positive relationships between diaphragm MyoD and myogenin protein levels and diaphragm force were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The data demonstrated that intermittent spontaneous breathing during the course of mechanical ventilation may minimize the deleterious effect of controlled mechanical ventilation on diaphragm force, fiber dimensions, and expression of transcription factors.


Subject(s)
Diaphragm/physiopathology , Intermittent Positive-Pressure Breathing , Isometric Contraction/physiology , MyoD Protein/genetics , Myogenin/genetics , Respiration, Artificial , Animals , Diaphragm/pathology , Gene Expression/physiology , In Vitro Techniques , Male , Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/pathology , Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/physiology , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Respiratory Muscles/pathology , Respiratory Muscles/physiology
7.
J Allergy Clin Immunol ; 116(3): 662-7, 2005 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16159640

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Approximately 40% to 50% of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) have functional IgG autoantibodies against FcepsilonRIalpha or IgE, which induce histamine release from basophils and cutaneous mast cells. A positive autologous serum skin test response is believed to reflect the presence of these autoantibodies. OBJECTIVE: We sought to further define the functional properties of and develop a sensitive functional assay for detection of autoantibodies in patients with CIU. METHODS: Sera from patients with CIU (n=61) and sera from healthy control subjects (n=23) were incubated with donor basophils. Activation of basophils was determined on the basis of CD 63 surface expression, as analyzed on a FACScan flow cytometer. RESULTS: A positive basophil activation test result was found in 51% of patients with CIU, and basophil-activating properties were present in the IgG fractions of sera. When both the in vitro test and the autologous serum skin test were considered, basophil/mast cell-activating autoantibodies were present in 62% of the patients. Patients with a positive basophil activation test result had a significantly higher prevalence of other autoantibodies, had more severe urticaria, and were more likely to have angioedema. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate the presence of basophil-activating autoantibodies in about 50% of patients with CIU. The data support the autoimmune cause of the disease and provide a simple test for detection of these autoantibodies.


Subject(s)
Antigens, CD/immunology , Autoantibodies/blood , Basophils/immunology , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Immunologic Techniques , Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins/immunology , Urticaria/immunology , Adolescent , Adult , Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic/blood , Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic/immunology , Antigens, CD/metabolism , Autoantibodies/immunology , Chronic Disease , Flow Cytometry , Humans , Immunoglobulin E/immunology , Immunoglobulin G/immunology , Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism , Receptors, IgE/immunology , Skin Tests , Tetraspanin 30 , Urticaria/blood
8.
Cancer Immunol Immunother ; 54(4): 372-82, 2005 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15692847

ABSTRACT

Malignant glioma of the CNS is a tumor with a very bad prognosis. Development of adjuvant immunotherapy is hampered by interindividual and intratumoral antigenic heterogeneity of gliomas. To evaluate feasibility of tumor vaccination with (autologous) tumor cells, we have studied uptake of tumor cell lysates by dendritic cells (DCs), and the T-cell stimulatory capacity of the loaded DCs. DCs are professional antigen-presenting cells, which have already been used as natural adjuvants to initiate immune responses in human cancer. An efficacious uptake of tumor cell proteins, followed by processing and presentation of tumor-associated antigens by the DCs, is indeed one of the prerequisites for a potent and specific stimulation of T lymphocytes. Human monocytes were differentiated in vitro to immature DCs, and these were loaded with FITC-labeled tumor cell proteins. Uptake of the tumor cell proteins and presentation of antigens in the context of both MHC class I and II could be demonstrated using FACS analysis and confocal microscopy. After further maturation, the loaded DCs had the capacity to induce specific T-cell cytotoxic activity against tumor cells. We conclude that DCs loaded with crude tumor lysate are efficacious antigen-presenting cells able to initiate a T-cell response against malignant glioma tumor cells.


Subject(s)
Antigen Presentation/immunology , Antigen-Presenting Cells , Brain Neoplasms/immunology , Dendritic Cells/immunology , Glioma/immunology , Monocytes/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/immunology , Dendritic Cells/cytology , Flow Cytometry , Genes, MHC Class I/immunology , Genes, MHC Class II/immunology , Humans , Lymphocyte Activation , T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/physiology
9.
Clin Immunol ; 112(3): 239-46, 2004 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15308117

ABSTRACT

4-1BB ligand (L) expressed on antigen presenting cells (APC) interacts with 4-1BB, expressed on activated T cells and this interaction costimulates T cells to secrete cytokines and to proliferate. We investigated whether 4-1BB/4-1BBL interactions might be involved in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). In immunohistochemistry, we found 4-1BB expression on lamina propria (LP) cells in inflamed and to a lesser extend in non-inflamed gut tissue from CD patients. mRNA levels for 4-1BB were also elevated in intestinal CD tissue. In contrast, only few 4-1BB-expressing cells were found in inflamed tissue from ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and almost no positive cells were found in control intestinal tissue. 4-1BB expression was better sustained on in vitro activated lamina propria T cells from CD patients compared to controls. Finally, agonistic anti-4-1BB antibody enhanced interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production and proliferation of lamina propria T cells from CD patients. Taken together, our data suggest that 4-1BB/4-1BBL interactions contribute to the persistence of gut inflammation in CD.


Subject(s)
Crohn Disease/metabolism , Crohn Disease/pathology , Inflammation/metabolism , Inflammation/pathology , Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor/metabolism , Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/metabolism , 4-1BB Ligand , Adult , Aged , Antigens, CD , Cell Division , Crohn Disease/complications , Crohn Disease/genetics , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Inflammation/complications , Interferon-gamma/biosynthesis , Interferon-gamma/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Intestines/pathology , Kinetics , Lymph Nodes/metabolism , Lymph Nodes/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor/genetics , Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/genetics , T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9 , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism
11.
Intensive Care Med ; 29(5): 825-33, 2003 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12682716

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Because respiratory muscle weakness appears to play an important role in weaning from mechanical ventilation, we developed an animal model of mechanical ventilation with appropriate controls in order to determine whether 24 h of mechanical ventilation already affected diaphragmatic function. DESIGN AND INTERVENTIONS: Fifty-two male Wistar rats were randomized into three groups: a non-anesthetized control group (C, n=10), an anesthetized spontaneously breathing group (SB, n=9 out of 26), and an anesthetized and mechanically ventilated group (MV, n=12 out of 16). RESULTS: After 24 h, in vitro diaphragmatic force was decreased in SB group but even more so in MV group (i.e., 80 Hz: -15% in SB, P<0.005 vs C and -34% in MV group, P<0.005 vs C and SB). This was associated with a significant decrease in the diaphragm type I and type IIa dimensions in the SB group, which was more pronounced in the MV group. Interestingly, diaphragm IGF-I mRNA was decreased in the SB group (-14%, P<0.05 vs C), but more so in MV group (-29%, P<0.001 vs C and P<0.01 vs SB). Moreover, there was a significant correlation between diaphragm force and IGF-I mRNA (at 80 Hz r=0.51, P=0.0056). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that 24 h of mechanical ventilation in rats, independently of anesthesia, already significantly reduced diaphragm force, fiber dimensions, and its IGF-I mRNA levels.


Subject(s)
Diaphragm/metabolism , Insulin-Like Growth Factor I , Muscles/metabolism , Respiration, Artificial/adverse effects , Animals , Blood Gas Analysis , Blood Pressure , Electrolytes/blood , Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/biosynthesis , Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/genetics , Male , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/isolation & purification , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Respiration , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
12.
Am J Respir Crit Care Med ; 168(3): 297-304, 2003 Aug 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12702546

ABSTRACT

To better characterize the effects of 24-hour mechanical ventilation on diaphragm, the expression of myogenic transcription factors, myosin heavy chains, and sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase pumps was examined in rats. In the diaphragm of mechanically ventilated animals, the mRNA of MyoD, myosin heavy chain-2a and -2b, and sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase-1a decreased, whereas myogenin mRNA increased. In the diaphragm of anesthetized and spontaneously breathing rats, only the mRNA of MyoD and myosin heavy chain-2a decreased. MyoD and myogenin protein expression followed the changes at the mRNA, whereas the myosin heavy chain isoforms did not change. Parallel experiments involving the gastrocnemius were performed to assess the relative contribution of muscle shortening versus immobilization-induced deconditioning on muscle regulatory factor expression. Passive shortening produced no additional effects compared with immobilization-induced deconditioning. The overall changes followed a remarkably similar pattern except for MyoD protein expression, which increased in the gastrocnemius and decreased in the diaphragm while its mRNA diminished in both muscles. The early alterations in the expression of muscle protein and regulatory factors may serve as underlying molecular basis for the impaired diaphragm function seen after 24 hours of mechanical ventilation. Whether immobilization-induced deconditioning and/or passive shortening play a role in these alterations could not be fully unraveled.


Subject(s)
Calcium-Transporting ATPases/analysis , Diaphragm/pathology , Diaphragm/physiopathology , MyoD Protein/analysis , Myogenin/analysis , Myosin Heavy Chains/analysis , RNA, Messenger/analysis , Respiration, Artificial , Animals , Calcium-Transporting ATPases/genetics , Disease Models, Animal , Hindlimb Suspension/physiology , Male , Muscle Contraction/genetics , Muscle Contraction/physiology , Muscle, Skeletal/pathology , Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology , MyoD Protein/genetics , Myogenin/genetics , Myosin Heavy Chains/genetics , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases , Time Factors
13.
J Allergy Clin Immunol ; 110(3): 524-35, 2002 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12209106

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cases of allergy to cooked potato in children have been reported, some with immediate and others with late reactions. The clinical effects of chronic allergic reactions to potato and the effectiveness of diet on such reactions have not been described previously. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the importance of cooked potato as an allergenic food in individual cases of atopy in children. METHODS: Eight atopic children were selected on the basis of suspicion of allergy to cooked potatoes: all had potato-specific IgE, 2 of 8 had experienced immediate allergic reactions, and 6 of 8 had eczema that improved with a potato-elimination diet (decrease in severity scoring of atopic dermatis [SCORAD] index of >50%). The patients were evaluated by using skin prick tests with homemade cooked and noncooked potato extracts and with a commercial extract and by using IgE immunoblots from SDS-PAGE patterns of potato extract. Seven patients were challenged with cooked potato. The control group consisted of 9 age-matched atopic children, 8 of them with eczema. RESULTS: The mean SCORAD index decreased from 43.3 before to 11.5 after elimination of potato from the diet. Potato CAP values ranged from 3.71 to greater than 100 kUa/L. Potato challenge results were positive in 7 of 7 patients. Skin prick test responses were positive for cooked potato extracts in 7 of 7 patients, for noncooked extracts in 7 of 7 patients, and for the commercial extract in 8 of 8 patients compared with in 0 of 9, 1 of 9, and 1 of 9 subjects in the control group, respectively. During immunoblotting, 8 of 8 patient sera recognized one or more protein bands compared with 0 of 9 control subject sera. CONCLUSION: Allergy to cooked potatoes is a cause of severe allergic disease, with immediate reactions and eczema in some atopic infants and young children.


Subject(s)
Food Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Food Hypersensitivity/etiology , Solanum tuberosum/adverse effects , Child, Preschool , Chronic Disease , Cooking , Dermatitis, Atopic/diagnosis , Food Hypersensitivity/immunology , Humans , Immunoblotting , Immunoglobulin E/blood , Infant , Skin Tests
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