Bronchial Asthmatics Research Articles

Hypersensitivity of Bronchial Asthmatics to Cockroach in Taiwan

This study was performed to test the hypersensitivity of asthmatics to American and German cockroaches, which are both common in Taiwan. A total of 236 asthmatic patients received skin prick test using allergen extracts from both American and German cockroaches, and 596 sera from asthmatic patients were analyzed for their specific IgE against German cockroach extract. The results of skin test showed that 39.4 and 36.4% asthmatic patients were hypersensitive to American and German cockroaches. Fifteen among 236 patients were only allergic to American cockroaches and 8 were only allergic to German cockroaches. Using the Pharmacia CAP system, 36% of the sera were found to contain the specific IgE to German cockroach extract. Eighty–nine sera positive for German cockroach extract were then tested for their reactivity to American cockroach extract using the fluoroallergosorbent test (FAST). Sixty among 89 (68%) of their sera contained American cockroach–specific IgE. The correlation coefficient between both parameters was r = 0.45. Immunoblot and immunoblot inhibition studies were performed to analyze the IgE–binding components and the cross–reactivity between American and German cockroaches. The results showed that there are different IgE–binding components between American and German cockroaches. Sera containing specific IgE to both species of cockroach were absorbed with both species of cockroach extracts. The specific IgE to German cockroaches can be absorbed by American cockroach extract in all selected sera and the specific IgE to American cockroaches can only partially be absorbed by German cockroaches. The nonabsorbed allergens in American cockroaches had molecular weights of 33 and 50 kD. In conclusion, one–third of the asthmatic population tested was allergic to cockroaches. Although most cockroach–hypersensitive patients were allergic to both American and German cockroaches, more asthmatic patients were allergic to American cockroaches in Taiwan. The use of non–crossreacting allergen in detecting American cockroach–specific IgE might be important not only for the diagnosis and treatment of cockroach hypersensitivity in asthmatics but also for the differentiation between German and American cockroach hypersensitivity.

Molecular mechanisms of the hyperresponsiveness of airway smooth muscle in bronchial asthma

Nonspecific airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is a common feature of allergic bronchial asthmatics, but the underlying mechanisms of AHR have yet to be elucidated. The importance of AHR in the pathogenesis of asthma has been suggested by its relevance to the severity of this disease. There is thus a need to understand the underlying mechanisms of AHR for the sake of asthma therapy. In allergic asthmatics, airway smooth muscles (ASMs) obtained from in vivo hyperresponsive patients have in vitro hyperresponsiveness to cholinergic agonists. It is therefore possible that the mechanisms responsible for the AHR exist, at least in part, on the ASM site. Although ASM is known to contract in response to acetylcholine via muscarinic M3 receptors and this contractile response is augmented during AHR, no alteration in muscarinic receptor density in ASM has been demonstrated in various AHR models. It is thus likely that augmented intracellular signaling might be a possible reason for the AHR. In fact, recent investigations demonstrated increases in the levels of GTP binding protein, Ca2+ mobilization and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate generation and so on in hyperresponsive ASM.

Interleukin-12 Inhibits Production of Interleukin-5 but Not of Granulocyte/Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor by Antigen-Stimulated Blood Mononuclear Cells in Allergic Bronchial Asthmatics

Bronchial asthma, characterized by eosinophilic inflammation in airways, may involve Th2-type cytokines such as interleukin-5 (IL-5). IL-12, a newly established cytokine, induces IFN-γ production, which may have a regulatory effect on the production of Th2-type cytokines. We examined the effects of IL-12 on the productions of IL-5 and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) by antigen (Dermatophagoides farinae, Df)-stimulated mononuclear cells (MNCs) from asthmatic patients in vitro. IL-12 enhanced IFN-γ production and inhibited the production of IL-5 but not of GM-CSF by Df-stimulated MNCs from asthmatic patients. Exogenous IFN-γ directly inhibited IL-5 production by Df-stimulated MNCs and the inhibition of IL-5 production by IL-12 was partially blocked by anti-IFN-γ antibody in culture, indicating that inhibitory effect of IL-12 on IL-5 production by antigen-stimulated MNCs is partially dependent on IFN-γ production. IL-12 also inhibited the release of eosinophil survival-stimulating factor from MNCs. These results indicate that IL-12 may be therapeutically beneficial in correcting Th1/Th2 imbalance in bronchial asthma.

Curcumin inhibition of Dermatophagoides farinea-induced interleukin-5 (IL-5) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) production by lymphocytes from bronchial asthmatics

Curcumin, a dietary pigment responsible for the yellow color of curry, has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, and anti-viral activity. However, it has not been determined whether the effect of curcumin on the production of cytokine affects eosinophil functions and IgE synthesis. In the present study, we examined the effect of curcumin on the production of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-5, granulocyte rnacrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and IL-4 by lymphocytes from atopic asthmatics in response to house dust mites ( Dermatophagoides farinea: Df) in order to clarify a potential application for allergic diseases. Curcumin inhibited Df-induced lymphocyte proliferation and production of IL-2. Exogenous IL-2 reconstituted the proliferative responsiveness of lymphocytes to Df in the presence of curcumin. Furthermore, curcumin inhibited IL-5, GM-CSF, and IL-4 production in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that curcumin may have a potential effect on controlling allergic diseases through inhibiting the production of cytokines affecting eosinophil function and IgE synthesis.

Efficacy of Interferon-Gamma Treatment in Bronchial Asthma

Background : There have been many in vitro evidences that interleukin-4(IL-4) might be the most important cytokine inducing IgE synthesis from B-cells, and interferon-gamma(IFN-) might be a main cytokine antagonizing IL-4-mediated IgE synthesis. Recently some reports demonstrated that IFN- might be used as a new therapeutic modality in some allergic diseases with high serum IgE level, such as atopic dermatitis or bronchial asthma. To evaluate the in vivo effect of IFN- in bronchial asthma we tried a clinical study. Methods : Fifty bronchial asthmatics(serum IgE level over 200 IU/ml) who did not respond to inhaled or systemic corticosteroid treatment, and 17 healthy nonsmoking volunteers were included in this study. The CD 23 expressions of peripheral B-cells, the IL-4 activities of peripheral T-cells, the serum soluble CD23(sCD23) levels, and the superoxide anion() generations by peripheral PMN were compared between bronchial asthmatics and normal subjects. The IL-4 activities of peripheral T-cells were analyzed by T-cell supernatant (T-sup)-induced CD23 expression from tonsil B-cells. In bronchial asthmatics the serum IgE levels and histamine in addition to the above parameters were also compared before and after IFN- treatment. IFN- was administered subcutaneously with a weekly dose of 30,000 IU per kilogram of body weight for 4 weeks. Results : The generations by peripheral PMNs in bronchial asthmatics were higher than normal subjects( vs cells, P treatment compared to initial values( vs cells, P, vs , P treatment. The serum sCD23 levels in bronchial asthmatics were slightly higher than normal subjects( vs ), and 11(64.7%) of 17 patients showed a decreasing pattern in their serum sCD23 levels after IFN- treatment. However the means of serum sCD23 levels were not different before and after IFN- treatment. The IL-4 activities of peripheral T-cells in bronchial asthmatics were slightly higher than normal subjects( vs ), and slightly increased after IFN- treatment(). Nine(60%) of 15 patients showed a decreasing pattern in their serum IgE levels after IFN- treatment. And the levels of serum IgE were significantly decreased after IFN- treatment compared to initial values ( vs , P treatment, and the means of histamine were significantly increased after IFN- treatment compared to initial values ( vs , P may be useful as well as safety in the treatment of bronchial asthmatics with high serum IgE level and that in vivo effects of IFN- may be different from its in vitro effects on the regulations of IgE synthesis or the respiratory burst of PMN.

088-PA11 Preliminary results of multicenter study about bronchial asthmatics in Istanbul

088-PA11 Preliminary results of multicenter study about bronchial asthmatics in Istanbul

Perivascular Fibrosis of Muscular Pulmonary Arteries in COPD

In Japan, chronic bronchitis with severe obstruction and without emphysema is found in nonsmoking adults. This is a progressive lung disease with a poor prognosis and is frequently accompanied by Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, showing diffuse linear and reticulonodular shadows on the chest radiograph. It has been called diffuse panbronchiolitis by Homma et al1Homma H Yamanaka A Tanimoto S Tamura M Chijimatsu Y Kira S et al.Diffuse panbronchiolitis: a disease of the transitional zone of the lung.Chest. 1983; 83: 63-69Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (343) Google Scholar and has not been reported in white patients. The clinical features resemble those found in adult patients with mild cystic fibrosis (CF), an inherited disorder in white persons but with minimal or little pancreas dysfunction and intermediate-range sweat chloride concentration.2Stern RC Boat TF Abramowsky CR Matthew LW Wood RE Doershuk CR. Intermediate-range sweat chloride concentration and Pseudomonas bronchitis: a CF variant with preservation of pancreas function.JAMA. 1978; 239: 2676-2680Crossref PubMed Scopus (7) Google Scholar Although Sugiyama et al3Sugiyama Y Kudoh S Maeda H Suzuki H Takaku F. Analysis of HLA antigens in patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis.Am Rev Respir Dis. 1990; 141: 1459-1462Crossref PubMed Scopus (121) Google Scholar have implicated a genetic background for this disease, our results based on delta F508 mutation analysis of the CF gene indicate that the chronic bronchitis may represent a disease different from CF.4Akai S Okayama H Shimura S Tanno Y Sasaki H Takishima T. Delta F508 mutation of cystic fibrosis gene is not found in chronic bronchitis with severe obstruction in Japan.Am Rev Respir Dis. 1992; 146: 781-783Crossref PubMed Scopus (35) Google Scholar Thus, in Japan, pure chronic bronchitis with severe obstruction and without pulmonary emphysema is very common. The pathologic findings of this type of chronic bronchitis are well described in many previous reports in English that show the absence of emphysematous changes in spite of severe obstructive impairment and right ventricular hypertrophy.1Homma H Yamanaka A Tanimoto S Tamura M Chijimatsu Y Kira S et al.Diffuse panbronchiolitis: a disease of the transitional zone of the lung.Chest. 1983; 83: 63-69Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (343) Google Scholar,5Aoki T Inoue H Sasaki H Shimura S Maeda S Tomioka M et al.Relation between selective alveolo-bronchograms and pulmonary function tests in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.Am Rev Respir Dis. 1984; 129: 465-472PubMed Google Scholar, 6Honda I Shimura S Sasaki T Sasaki H Takishima T Nakamura M. Airway mucosal permeability in chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthmatics with hypersecretion.Am Rev Respir Dis. 1998; 137: 866-871Crossref Scopus (9) Google Scholar, 7Aikawa T Shimura S Sasaki H Takishima T Yaegasi H Takahashi T. Morphometric analysis of intraluminal mucus in airways in obstructive lung disease.Am Rev Respir Dis. 1989; 140: 477-482Crossref PubMed Scopus (81) Google Scholar As pointed out by Dr. Snider in his comment on our report, such pure chronic bronchitis is rare in the United States and European countries. However, this chronic bronchitis is a good clinical model for understanding the bronchial or airway lesions in COPD because of the absence of pulmonary emphysema. The obtained findings will also be useful for the management of COPD patients in the United States and European countries. Perivascular Fibrosis of Muscular Pulmonary Arteries in COPDCHESTVol. 105Issue 3PreviewThe article by Andoh and colleagues,1 which appeared in the December 1992 issue of Chest, is a useful addition to the literature on cor pulmonale in COPD. Its contribution to the larger understanding of COPD would be considerably enhanced if some additional information could be provided. Full-Text PDF

気管支喘息における血小板活性化因子の役割に関する研究

気管支喘息における血小板活性化因子の役割に関する研究

気管支喘息患者における減感作療法の作用機序に関する研究-抗原特異的IgGサブクラス抗体とロイコトリエン産生能に及ぼす影響について-

気管支喘息患者における減感作療法の作用機序に関する研究-抗原特異的IgGサブクラス抗体とロイコトリエン産生能に及ぼす影響について-

The change of peripheral eosinophil count after bronchial provocati-on with inhaled histamine in bronchial asthmatics.

Background: Recently, bronchial provocation of the airway of atopic asthmatic subjects with inhaled allergen has been shown to produce an initial peripheral blood eosinopenia followed by an eosinophilia occurring approximately 12 to 18 hrs after the challenge. However there are few studies about the change of peripheral eosinophil count (PEC) after bronchial provocation with nonspecific stimuli such as histamine or methacholine. Interestingly our preliminary study demonstrated a notable change of PEC during bronhial provocation with inhaled histamine in some asthmatic subjects. This study was designed to reevaluate our preliminary data and to further investigate the change of PEC during as well as after bronchial provocation with inhaled histamine in bronchial asthma tics. Methods: Sixteen asthmatic subjects participated in this study. Bronchial provocation with inhaled histamine was done between 9 AM and 12 MD. Blood samplings for PEC were done with 5 minutes intervals during the procedure, and repeated at 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after the procedure. Results: The results were as follows; 1) The patients were divided into two groups characterized by each pattern in the change of PEC during the procedure. A group (11 of sixten, group I) showed an increasing pattern of PEC and another group (5 of sixteen, group II) showed a decreasing pattern of PEC during the procedure. 2) Group I demonstrated a tendency to maintain continuously higher level of PEC than the baseline value until 48 hours after the procedure. 3) Group II demonstrated a tendency to maintain continuously lower level of PEC than the baseline value until 48 hours after the procedure. 4) There were no significant differences in their clinical parameters including baseline eosinophil count, baseline , of histamine, and serum IgE level between group I and group II. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the change of PEC produced by inhaled histamine in asthmatic subjects is much different from that produced by inhaled allergen, and that each patient may have their individual characteristics in the change of PEC in response to bronchial provocation with inhaled histamine. Alternatively these findings suggest that eosinophils may be partially involved in the early asthmatic reaction.

Effect of cortisol on calcium concentration in lymphocytes of bronchial asthmatics

Effect of cortisol on calcium concentration in lymphocytes of bronchial asthmatics

STUDY OF INFANTILE ASTHMA-RELATED ALLERGIC FACTORS

The study was conducted to assess some allergic factors which infantile bronchial asthmatics (BA) developed as compared to only wheezy bronchitis patients (WB) and those with only atopic dermatitis (AD).The subjects of this study were observed in this clinic for more than two years during their childhood. The BA group had 56 cases. The WB group had 53 cases. The AD group had 50 cases.1. The improvement rate of the BA group was 85.7%. The no-symptom rate was 10.7%.2. Both IgE RIST value and specific IgE RAST positive rate for dermatophagoides farinae and rice were higher in BA group than WB and AD groups then, IgE positive rate for wheat in BA group than AD group.3. There was no great difference between the three as regards the number of eosinophil in peripheral blood.4. The rate of patients transferred from WB group to BA group at the age of 2 and over was 18.9%. These patients belong to the transferred patient's group.5. Both the IgE RIST value and the specific IgE RAST positive rate for food allergens at the age of 2 and over were higher in the transferred patients' group than in the WB and the completely recovered patients' group.From the above mentioned results, some allergic factors which infantile bronchial asthmatics developed were a high IgE RIST value and a high positive rate of specific IgE level for dermatophagoides farinae rice and wheat.

気管支喘息における喀痰中のCreola bodyに関する研究第1編 気管支喘息患者喀痰中におけるCreola bodyの臨床的意義についての検討

気管支喘息における喀痰中のCreola bodyに関する研究第1編 気管支喘息患者喀痰中におけるCreola bodyの臨床的意義についての検討

Effect of phospholipid platelet activation factor on proliferation of peripheral blood B lymphocytes of normal individuals and bronchial asthmatics

Effect of phospholipid platelet activation factor on proliferation of peripheral blood B lymphocytes of normal individuals and bronchial asthmatics

アレルギー性肺疾患における末梢気道領域の免疫応答に関する研究

The distribution of immunoglobulin containing cells and interstitial deposition of immunoglobulins and complement were observed aroud small airway areas of bronchial asthmatics. Transbronchial lung biopsy was performed to obtain peripheral lung tissues of bronchial asthmatics in non-attack stage. The peroxidase antiperoxidase technique was applied to detect IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE antibodies and C1q using routinely processed paraffin sections.The proportion of IgA containing cells was lower in the peripheral airway of bronchial asthmatics than in normal peripheral lungs.In atopic asthmatics, the proportion of IgE containing cells was higher than that in non-atopic asthmatics and normal controls.In non-atopic asthmatics, the proportion of IgG containing cells was higher than that in atopic asthmatics and normal controls.In non-atopic asthmatics, interstitial depositon of IgG antibody to alveolar septa and bronchiolar mucosa was characteristic.These findings suggest that the IgG antibody plays an important role in the pathogenesis of non-atopic asthma, whereas the IgE antibody is involved in atopic asthma.

Circardian Variations of the Peripheral Blood Eosinophil Count and Pulmonary Function in the Bronchial Asthmatics

Circardian Variations of the Peripheral Blood Eosinophil Count and Pulmonary Function in the Bronchial Asthmatics

Superoxide Production and Myeloperoxidase Activity by Peripheral Neutrophils in the Bronchial Asthmatics

Superoxide Production and Myeloperoxidase Activity by Peripheral Neutrophils in the Bronchial Asthmatics

気管支喘息患者好塩基球表面のIgG結合に関する研究

There are many problems in intractable asthmatics, such as corticosteroid dependency. The clinical course is different from atopic asthma. To clarify the differences between both type of asthma, we investigated the mechanism of LAR, which has similar features to the pathogenesis of intractable asthma. We have previously reported that IgG antibody was involved with the LAR. In this study, to clarify the role of IgG subclass, we observed the density and distribution of IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies bound to the peripheral blood basophils from bronchial asthmatics using a technique of immunoscaning electron microscopy. A study revealed a relative ratio of IgG1 to IgG4 antibodies on basophils of asthmatics with Candida-provoked LAR which was higher than that of asthmatics with house dust-provoked IAR and LAR. Furthermore, in the study of immunoglobulin distribution on the basophil surface, the proportion of cap and patch formation of IgG1 antibody was higher in bronchial asthmatics with Candida-provoked LAR than in those with house dust-provoked IAR and LAR. These data suggest that IgG1 antibody may play an important role in the pathogenesis of LAR, especially Candida-provoked asthmatic response.

気管支喘息患者好塩基球表面のIgG結合に関する研究

気管支喘息患者好塩基球表面のIgG結合に関する研究

Viscoelastic properties of bronchorrhoea sputum in bronchial asthmatics.

Dynamic viscoelastic properties of 13 bronchorrhoea sputum samples from asthmatics with bronchorrhoea, defined as the production of watery sputum of 100 ml or more per day during asthmatic attacks, were examined and then compared with 7 saliva and 12 mucoid sputum samples obtained from patients during remission. Dynamic viscosity (eta') and elasticity (G') of bronchorrhoea sputum increased rapidly with time up to 2 hours after collection and slowly thereafter, whereas eta' and G' of saliva and mucoid sputum remained unchanged up to 6 hours after collection. Then, eta' and G' of saliva, bronchorrhoea and mucoid sputum samples were measured between 2 to 4 hours after expectoration. Bronchorrhoea sputum samples showed significantly larger values at frequencies of both 0.1 and 1.0 rad/sec than did saliva samples and also significantly smaller values than did mucoid sputum samples. Thus, bronchorrhoea sputum differed in dynamic viscoelastic properties from saliva, indicating that it does not result from hypersalivation. Based on data of viscoelastic changes with time, it can be assumed that the viscoelasticity of bronchorrhoea sputum in the airways is considerably less than the optimal range reported previously for mucociliary velocity, suggesting the possibility of impaired mucociliary transport.