Explore the vast range of titles available.

The clearance efficiency of allergen particles during nasal irrigation is a quantitative standard for evaluating the effectiveness of nasal irrigation. Due to the difficulty in obtaining various parameters in in vivo experiments, this study aims to establish a numerical model of the nasal cavity based on CT scan images of healthy adults. We chose four different levels of allergen particles, PM1, PM5, PM10, and PM25, as the subjects. A quantitative analysis was conducted to determine the clearance efficiency of the four levels of allergen particles by five different inlet flow rates of the irrigation solution. The results showed that the clearance efficiency of PM1 allergens was optimal at the inlet flow rate of 1.8  , equivalent to 2.10  . In summary, selecting an appropriate flow rate is necessary to achieve the best clearance efficiency for different levels of allergen particles.

Background Allergen-containing subpollen particles (SPP) are released from whole plant pollen upon contact with water or even high humidity. Because of their size SPP can preferentially reach the lower airways where they come into contact with surfactant protein (SP)-D. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of SP-D in a complex three-dimensional human epithelial airway model, which simulates the most important barrier functions of the epithelial airway. The uptake of SPP as well as the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines was investigated. Methods SPP were isolated from timothy grass and subsequently fluorescently labeled. A human epithelial airway model was built by using human Type II-pneumocyte like cells (A549 cells), human monocyte derived macrophages as well as human monocyte derived dendritic cells. The epithelial cell model was incubated with SPP in the presence and absence of surfactant protein D. Particle uptake was evaluated by confocal microscopy and advanced computer-controlled analysis. Finally, human primary CD4 + T-Cells were added to the epithelial airway model and soluble mediators were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay or bead array. Results SPP were taken up by epithelial cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. This uptake coincided with secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. SP-D modulated the uptake of SPP in a cell type specific way (e.g. increased number of macrophages and epithelial cells, which participated in allergen particle uptake) and led to a decreased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion These results display a possible mechanism of how SP-D can modulate the inflammatory response to inhaled allergen.

Allergenic pollen protein can be released from pollen grains and suspended in the air to cause allergenic reactions. However, the allergenic protein and its relationship with redox trace elements in ambient size-resolved particles has not been reported. Ambient size-resolved particles in Shanghai’s atmosphere were sampled during the Platanus pollen season in the spring season of 2017. Planatus pollen protein 3 (Pla a3) and redox trace elements in the ambient particles were investigated and their relationship was analyzed. Our data demonstrated that the mass level of the Pla a3 in the size-resolved particles ranged from 0.41 ± 0.28 to 7.46 ± 2.23 pg/m3, and decreased with the size range. Mass concentrations (ppb) of crustal elements (Fe, Al, Ca, Mg, Na) in the size-resolved particles ranged from 20.11 ± 9.87 to 1126.22 ± 659.51, while trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Cd, Cs, Ba, Pb) varied from 0.05 ± 0.03 to 57.53 ± 19.7. Mass levels of these trace elements decreased according to particle size. The Abundance of redox trace elements, including Fe (R2 = 0.82), Mn (R2 = 0.54), Cu (R2 = 0.61), Ba (R2 = 0.82), and Pb (R2 = 0.82) in the size-resolved particles was significantly related to that of Pla a3, and our data implied redox trace elements might take syngenetic effects on the allergenicity induced by Pla a3 protein.

The cardiovascular system is currently considered a target for particulate matter, especially for ultrafine particles. In addition to autonomic or cytokine mediated effects, the direct interaction of inhaled materials with the target tissue must be examined to understand the underlying mechanisms. In the first approach, pulmonary and systemic distribution of inhaled ultrafine elemental silver (EAg) particles was investigated on the basis of morphology and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis. Rats were exposed for 6 hr at a concentration of 133 μg EAg m3(3× 106cm3, 15 nm modal diameter) and were sacrificed on days 0, 1, 4, and 7. ICP-MS analysis showed that 1.7 μg Ag was found in the lungs immediately after the end of exposure. Amounts of Ag in the lungs decreased rapidly with time, and by day 7 only 4% of the initial burden remained. In the blood, significant amounts of Ag were detected on day 0 and thereafter decreased rapidly. In the liver, kidney, spleen, brain, and heart, low concentrations of Ag were observed. Nasal cavities, especially the posterior portion, and lung-associated lymph nodes showed relatively high concentrations of Ag. For comparison, rats received by intratracheal instillation either 150 μL aqueous solution of 7 μg silver nitrate ( AgNO3) (4.4 μg Ag) or 150 μL aqueous suspension of 50 μg agglomerated ultrafine EAg particles. A portion of the agglomerates remained undissolved in the alveolar macrophages and in the septum for at least 7 days. In contrast, rapid clearance of instilled water-soluble AgNO3from the lung was observed. These findings show that although instilled agglomerates of ultrafine EAg particles were retained in the lung, Ag was rapidly cleared from the lung after inhalation of ultrafine EAg particles, as well as after instillation of AgNO3and entered systemic pathways.

The inhalation of antigens does not normally lead to allergic inflammation, but airway resident cells and their products may affect the outcome of antigen exposure. It is therefore important to elucidate how potential allergens interact with airway epithelial cells and other cells located within and below the epithelium. Some studies have indicated that certain antigens, particularly the major house dust mite antigen Der p1, penetrate the airway epithelium by intracellular transportation or paracellular passage, depending on their concentrations, time of exposure, and ability of the cells to inactivate them. If an antigen possesses proteolytic activity, such as Der p1, and it reaches high concentrations or the exposure is prolonged, the disruption of the tight junction can also favor the transepithelial passage of other antigens. In this way, the antigens can easily encounter the effector cells located between epithelial cells and below the basement membrane. The magnitude of this phenomenon may be more prominent in the airways of asthmatic patients, as their epithelium is more permeable to Der p1 than the epithelium of nonasthmatic patients and releases cytokines after exposure to very low concentrations of this antigen for brief periods. Epithelial cell activation may facilitate the development of allergic mucosal sensitization to Der p1 and contribute to the antigen-induced inflammatory response by affecting the migration and function of dendritic cells, mast cells, and eosinophils. Also, there might be a secondary release of interleukin-6 and endothelin-1, which can have a detrimental effect on the cardiovascular function.

Inhalation of particles, gases, and vapors from environmental pollution results in a number of localized and general responses by the lungs. In this article we report investigations performed in humans that have enabled the identification of these specific processes in response to inhaled materials. We also offer insights that could help generalize environmental inhaled pollutants and potential means of studying them in humans. Three specific areas are covered: impact of denervation of the lungs and airway inflammation on the acute defense mechanism of the lungs to inhaled \"irritants,\" differential uptake of inhaled particles into separate regions of the lungs, and the effect of inhaled nitric oxide on pulmonary vasculature and gas exchange. The inhalation of nitric oxide reflects the potential of inhaled pollutants to influence gas exchange, especially in patients with established lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Although a role for the airway circulation in the clearance of inhaled particles is generally assumed, there is little information to confirm its importance. We studied the effects of decreased bronchial blood flow on the uptake of the soluble tracer technetium=99m-labeled diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (99 mTc- DTPA) from subcarinal airways in sheep (n = 7). The bronchial artery was cannulated and perfused with autologous blood at a control flow (0.6 mL/min/kg) or when the perfusion pump was stopped (no flow).99 mTc- DTPA (6-10 μL) was delivered by a microspray nozzle inserted through a bronchoscope to a fourth-generation bronchus both during control blood flow conditions and no-flow conditions. Airway retention (by scintigraphy) and blood uptake were monitored for 30 min after the local deposition of99 mTc- DTPA. During control flow conditions, 30 min after the delivery of the radiolabel, 21% of the tracer remained at the deposition site. Of the total delivered tracer, maximum blood uptake was 18% (n = 3). When bronchial perfusion was stopped, airway retention 30 min after deposition increased to 43%, and maximum blood uptake decreased to 7% of the total delivered tracer. Although mucociliary clearance was not directly measured, radiolabel tracer was observed to move progressively from the deposition site up to larger airways and contributed to the overall removal of tracer from the site of deposition during both flow conditions. However, these results demonstrate that decreased bronchial perfusion increases airway retention by limiting vascular uptake of the soluble tracer. These results emphasize the importance of normal perfusion of the airway vasculature for uptake of therapeutic agents delivered specifically to the conducting airways.

Vaccines for infectious diseases have improved the life of the human species in a tremendous manner. The principle of vaccination is to establish adaptive immune response consisting of antibody and T cell responses against pathogens which should defend the vaccinated person against future challenge with the culprit pathogen. The situation is completely different for immunoglobulin E (IgE)-associated allergy, an immunologically-mediated hypersensitivity which is already characterized by increased IgE antibody levels and T cell responses against innocuous antigens (i.e., allergens). Thus, allergic patients suffer from a deviated hyper-immunity against allergens leading to inflammation upon allergen contact. Paradoxically, vaccination with allergens, termed allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), induces a counter immune response based on the production of high levels of allergen-specific IgG antibodies and alterations of the adaptive cellular response, which reduce allergen-induced symptoms of allergic inflammation. AIT was even shown to prevent the progression of mild to severe forms of allergy. Consequently, AIT can be considered as a form of therapeutic vaccination. In this article we describe a strategy and possible road map for the use of an AIT approach for prophylactic vaccination against allergy which is based on new molecular allergy vaccines. This road map includes the use of AIT for secondary preventive vaccination to stop the progression of clinically silent allergic sensitization toward symptomatic allergy and ultimately the prevention of allergic sensitization by maternal vaccination and/or early primary preventive vaccination of children. Prophylactic allergy vaccination with molecular allergy vaccines may allow halting the allergy epidemics affecting almost 30% of the population as it has been achieved for vaccination against infectious diseases.

Plant-made biotherapeutics are gathering momentum and some plant glycoproteins are allergens. Glycans with core β1-2xylose and α1,3fucose motifs and antennae terminated by mannose residues (e.g.: MMXF) are found on several plant allergens and can cross-react with glyco-epitopes from other sources. To date, reactivity to these cross-reactive determinants has not been associated with clinical symptoms. We produced VLP vaccines bearing the hemagglutinin(HA) of H5(A/Indonesia/5/05) or H1(A/California/07/09) influenza viruses by transfection of Nicotiana benthamiana. Subjects enrolled in Phase I/II trials were followed for evidence of allergy/hypersensitivity and development of antibodies against plant glyco-epitopes. A total of 280/349 subjects received either one (H1) or 2 doses (H5) of vaccine (5–45μg of HA/dose) intramuscularly including 40 with pre-existing plant allergies. Subjects were monitored for 6 months. IgG and IgE to plant glyco-epitopes were measured by ELISA using corn-/egg-derived avidin and bromelain as target antigens. No subject developed allergic/hypersensitivity symptoms. Some (34%) developed transient IgG and, in some cases IgE, to plant glyco-epitopes but no subject mounted an IgE response to the MMXF motif. Antibodies returned to baseline by 6 months in most subjects. VLP vaccines bearing influenza HA glycoproteins can elicit transient IgG and, in some cases, IgE responses that are not associated with either the development or worsening of allergic/hypersensitivity symptoms.

Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Amb a) contains many allergens. Allergic conjunctivitis caused by Ambrosia artemisiifolia and its related allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) are seldom studied at present. poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide)-polyethylene glycol (PLGA-PEG) is a very good nano-carrier, which has been applied in the medical field. In this context, we studied the immunotherapy effect and potential mechanism of recombinant Amb a 1 (rAmb a 1)-loaded PLGA-PEG nanoparticles. A mouse allergic conjunctivitis model was established with Ambrosia artemisiifolia crude extract, and the nanoparticles were used for AIT through direct observation of conjunctival tissue, degranulation of mast cells in conjunctival tissue, serum-specific antibodies, cytokines and other assessment models. The treatment of nanoparticles enhanced the secretion of T-helper 1 (Th1) cytokine Interferon-gama (IFN-γ) and the production of immunoglobulin G (IgG)2a (IgG2a), inhibited the secretion of T-helper 2 (Th2) cytokine Interleukin (IL)-13 and IL-4 and the level of IgE. Especially, degranulation of mast cells and expression of mast cell protease-1 (MCP-1) in conjunctival tissue was reduced significantly. In this study, we proved that the nanoparticles prepared by rAmb a 1 and PLGA-PEG have an immunotherapy effect on allergic conjunctivitis in mice.