Symptoms Of Japanese Cedar Pollinosis Research Articles

EFFECT OF PROPHYLACTIC TREATMENT BY LEUKOTORIENE RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST ON JAPANESE CEDAR POLLINOSIS OF PRE- AND POST-SCHOOL CHILDREN JAPANESE CEDAR POLLINOSIS

Backgroud: It has already been reported that the prophylactic treatment by leukotoriene receptor antagonists is more effective on reducing symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis than the authentic treatment after the pollen dispersal. However, the treatment above has never evaluated in children cases around school age in ENT out-patient clinic. This study about the prophylactic treatment was planned to focus on the effect in the generation of pre- and post-elementary school entrance. Children of pre- and post-elementary school entrance were enrolled for this study. This study was achieved in seasons of Japanese cedar pollinosis both in 2013 and 2014, and was designed as the comparison of clinical symptoms and quality of life in between two such groups as one group with the prophylactic treatment and another with the authentic treatment. Efficacy of prophylactic treatment by leukotoriene receptor antagonists was elucidated as follows; quality of sleep was significantly better both in 2013 and 2014, and more kinds of clinical symptoms or quality of life impairments were significantly more suppressed than in the group with the authentic treatment in 2014 when less pollen was dispersed. Even in the children of pre- and post-elementary school entrance, the prophylactic treatment by leukotoriene receptor antagonists is more effective on reducing symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis than the authentic treatment.

'Benifuuki' Green Tea Containing O-Methylated Catechin Reduces Symptoms of Japanese Cedar Pollinosis: A Randomized, Double- Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Methylated catechin, one of the active ingredients in green tea, has been reported to ameliorate allergic reactions. We evaluated the efficacy of 'Benifuuki' green tea, which contains O-methylated epigallocatechin-3-O-[3-O-methyl] gallate (O-methylated EGCG), in alleviating Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCP). The study was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The subjects with JCP were randomly assigned to drink 700 ml of 'Benifuuki' green tea containing O-methylated EGCG or 'Yabukita' green tea (not containing O-methylated EGCG) as a placebo every day from December 2007 through March 2008, which includes the pollen season. The primary outcome was the area under the curve (AUC) of symptom scores during the peak pollen season. Fifty-one adults with JCP participated in the study. Twenty-six subjects were assigned to 'Benifuuki' and 25 to 'Yabukita'. The AUC of symptom score during the peak pollen season in the 'Benifuuki' group was significantly smaller than in the 'Yabukita' group for each of runny nose, itchy eyes, tearing, total nasal symptom score, total ocular symptom score, nasal symptom-medication score and ocular symptom-medication score. The total QOL-related questionnaire score for one week in the peak pollen season was significantly better in the 'Benifuuki' group. Increase in the peripheral eosinophil count in response to pollen exposure was suppressed in the 'Benifuuki' group. No adverse events were reported in either group. 'Benifuuki' green tea containing a large amount of O-methylated EGCG reduced the symptoms of JCP and has potential as a complementary/alternative medicine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Beneficial Effects of Citrus Juice Fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum YIT 0132 on Japanese Cedar Pollinosis.

Recently, the prevalence of allergies in Japan has been increasing. Certain types of fruit juice and lactic acid bacteria are known to alleviate allergic symptoms. Therefore, we examined whether citrus juice fermented by a specific lactic acid bacteria can improve the symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCPsis). Lactobacillus plantarum YIT 0132 (LP0132) was selected based on its high proliferative activity in citrus juice and anti-inflammatory interleukin-10-inducing activity. Dietary administration of heat-killed LP0132 cells or citrus juice fermented with LP0132 was found to significantly suppress nasal rubbing in a JCPsis mouse model, indicating relief of allergy symptoms. To evaluate the effects of LP0132-fermented citrus juice on pollinosis symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in humans with JCPsis, a single-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial was conducted. The participants were 42 adults with JCPsis. They ingested 100 mL of sterilized LP0132-fermented citrus juice (active group) or unfermented citrus juice (placebo group) once daily for 8 weeks. Immediately after the pollen peak when allergy symptoms and QOL loss were most severe, itchy eyes, itchy skin, and QOL loss by JCPsis were alleviated in the active group compared with the placebo group. At 10 weeks after starting the intervention, increased the levels of blood eosinophils were significantly suppressed in the active group compared with the placebo group. We conclude that continuous ingestion of citrus juice fermented with LP0132 may help alleviate the allergy symptoms and impaired QOL caused by JCPsis.

Beneficial Effects of Citrus Juice Fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum YIT 0132 on Japanese Cedar Pollinosis

Recently, the prevalence of allergies in Japan has been increasing. Certain types of fruit juice and lactic acid bacteria are known to alleviate allergic symptoms. Therefore, we examined whether citrus juice fermented by a specific lactic acid bacteria can improve the symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCPsis). Lactobacillus plantarum YIT 0132 (LP0132) was selected based on its high proliferative activity in citrus juice and anti-inflammatory interleukin-10-inducing activity. Dietary administration of heat-killed LP0132 cells or citrus juice fermented with LP0132 was found to significantly suppress nasal rubbing in a JCPsis mouse model, indicating relief of allergy symptoms. To evaluate the effects of LP0132-fermented citrus juice on pollinosis symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in humans with JCPsis, a single-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial was conducted. The participants were 42 adults with JCPsis. They ingested 100 mL of sterilized LP0132-fermented citrus juice (active group) or unfermented citrus juice (placebo group) once daily for 8 weeks. Immediately after the pollen peak when allergy symptoms and QOL loss were most severe, itchy eyes, itchy skin, and QOL loss by JCPsis were alleviated in the active group compared with the placebo group. At 10 weeks after starting the intervention, increased the levels of blood eosinophils were significantly suppressed in the active group compared with the placebo group. We conclude that continuous ingestion of citrus juice fermented with LP0132 may help alleviate the allergy symptoms and impaired QOL caused by JCPsis.

Severity Assessment of Japanese Cedar Pollinosis Using the Practical Guideline for the Management of Allergic Rhinitis in Japan and the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma Guideline

This study intended to assess the severity of Japanese cedar pollinosis using the Practical Guideline for the Management of Allergic Rhinitis in Japan (PG-MARJ) and the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) Guideline. An Internet questionnaire survey of patients with pollinosis was conducted in mid-May 2011 and responses were obtained from 3382 individuals who had potential symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis from February to early May 2011 and who had experienced such symptoms for at least two pollen seasons. According to PG-MARJ, 23.5% of the respondents had severest rhinitis, 29.4% severe rhinitis, 31.3% moderate rhinitis, 13.8% mild rhinitis and 2.0% asymptomatic rhinitis. According to ARIA, 67.2% of them had moderate/severe persistent rhinitis, 23.8% moderate/severe intermittent rhinitis, 4.4% mild persistent rhinitis and 4.6% mild intermittent rhinitis. Moderate to severe rhinitis was diagnosed in more than 80% of the respondents according to PG-MARJ, while moderate/severe rhinitis was diagnosed in more than 90% of the respondents according to ARIA. Most of the respondents suffered relatively severe pollinosis. More than 80% of the respondents had all the three major symptoms (i.e., sneezing, rhinorrhea and nasal blockage). Disagreement in the severity assessment between the two guidelines was noted in approximately 20% of the respondents.

572 Effect of Enzymatically Modified Isoquercitrin, a Flavonoid, on Symptoms of Japanese Cedar Pollinosis

BackgroundThe prevalence of allergic diseases has increased all over the world during the last 2 decades. Dietary change is considered to be one of environmental factors that cause this increase and worsen allergic symptoms. If it is the case, an appropriate intake of foods and beverages with antiallergic activity is anticipated to prevent the onset of allergic diseases and ameliorate allergic symptoms. Flavonoids, ubiquitously present in vegetables, fruits or tea possess antiallergic and antioxidant effects, so that we examined the efficacy of a flavonoid on clinical symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis.MethodsWe investigated the efficacy of enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ), a quercetin glycoside, to relieve symptoms of Japanese Cedar pollinosis by 3 different clinical trials. In either trial patients were randomly assigned to the EMIQ group or the placebo group and took one capsule containing EMIQ plus corn starch or corn starch only twice a day. The efficacy was evaluated with the total symptom, medication or QOL score. Study 1 (reference 1) and 2 (reference 2); EMIQ (100 mg/day) versus placebo, for 8 weeks, started after (study 1) and before (study 2) the onset of pollen release, Study 3; EMIQ (200 mg/day) versus placebo, for 4 weeks, started after the onset of pollen release.ResultsIn study 1 and 2, during the entire study period, ocular + medication score for the EMIQ group was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of the placebo group. When limited to the period, total symptom + medication score for the EMIQ group was significantly lower than that for the placebo group in all 3 studies.ConclusionsThese results indicate that intake of EMIQ, a quercetin glycoside proved to be effective for the relief of symptoms caused by Japanese cedar pollinosis.

Pranlukast dry syrup inhibits symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis in children using OHIO Chamber

Pranlukast (PLK) is a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) that has been approved for treatment of asthma in patients of all ages and allergic rhinitis (AR) in adults but not for AR in children in Japan. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study used an artificial exposure chamber (OHIO Chamber) to investigate the efficacy and safety of PLK in children from 10 to 15 years old with seasonal AR (SAR) due to Japanese cedar (JC) pollen. Eighty-four subjects were enrolled and randomized to the treatment arm and 74 were included in the per protocol set. Subjects received either PLK dry syrup (DS) or placebo for 1 week. They were challenged with JC pollen in the OHIO Chamber for 3 hours. Total nasal symptom scores (TNSSs) were recorded every 30 minutes during the exposure. PLK DS treatment suppressed the TNSS changes from baseline significantly when compared with placebo. The difference in the least square means in TNSS between the PLK DS-treated group and placebo group was -0.37 (95% CI, -0.54, -0.20) with a value of p < 0.0001, showing that PLK DS significantly suppressed the nasal symptoms. Regarding specific nasal symptoms, PLK DS significantly suppressed sneezing, nasal discharge, and nasal obstruction. The effect of PLK DS on nasal obstruction was most prominent, with significant improvement relative to placebo beginning 60 minutes after the start of exposure. No serious adverse events were reported during the study. In this study, PLK DS is effective and safe for treatment in children with SAR.

Delay of Onset of Symptoms of Japanese Cedar Pollinosis by Treatment with a Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist

Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) are effective for prophylactic treatment of pollinosis based on studies showing that administration of LTRAs prior to or at the start of the pollen season reduces symptoms and QOL disturbance at the peak of pollen dispersal. Two goals of prophylactic treatment of pollinosis are use of fewer types of drugs and delay of onset of symptoms and impairement of QOL. Therefore, this study was performed to determine if pranlukast, a LTRA, met these goals in treatment of pollinosis. Pranlukast or placebo was administered to patients who visited our hospital immediately before the start of Japanese cedar pollen dispersal. The study was performed for 4 weeks as a double blind randomized trial. Subsequently, all patients were given pranlukast for a further 4 weeks from the peak until the end of pollen dispersal. The incidence of symptoms and use of concomitant drugs were investigated from daily nasal allergy records kept by patients. QOL was evaluated using the JRQLQ questionnaire. In the double blind period of the study, the percentage of patients who used concomitant drugs for nasal symptoms was significantly lower in the pranlukast group compared to the placebo group. Development of nasal symptoms (sneezing, runny nose and nasal congestion) and disturbance of daily activities were significantly delayed in the pranlukast group. No serious adverse reactions occurred in the pranlukast group and no patient withdrew from treatment with pranlukast. Pranlukast is effective for prophylactic treatment of pollinosis.

Pranlukast dry syrup inhibits symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis in children using OHIO Chamber

Pranlukast dry syrup inhibits symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis in children using OHIO Chamber

Efficacy of Oral Administration of a Heat-KilledLactobacillus gasseriOLL2809 on Patients of Japanese Cedar Pollinosis with High Japanese-Cedar Pollen-Specific IgE

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to determine whether oral administration of heat-killed Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2809 would affect the immune response and reduce the symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCP) in subjects with JCP. Following a 1-week pre-observation period, the subjects were randomly divided into two groups and were orally administered a placebo or tablets containing 100 mg of L. gasseri OLL2809 per d for 8 weeks during the pollen season in 2007. The results showed no obvious differences between the groups. Supplementary subgroup analysis revealed that the OLL2809 subgroups with CAP-RAST scores of 4 or 5 exhibited improvement in nasal symptoms scores and serum allergy-related items, including Japanese cedar pollen-specific IgE levels. L. gasseri OLL2809 was found to be effective in reducing symptoms in subjects with a high predisposition to allergies by modulating systemic immune systems.

Suppressive effects ofBifidobacterium longumon the production of Th2-attracting chemokines induced with T cell–antigen-presenting cell interactions

In human trials, Bifidobacterium longum BB536 alleviates subjective symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis, an IgE-mediated type I allergy caused by exposure to Japanese cedar, and significantly suppresses the increase of plasma thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) associated with pollen dispersion. In the present study, we investigated the suppressive effects of BB536 on the production of T helper type 2 (Th2)-attracting chemokines, such as TARC and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), together with the mechanisms of their production. Murine splenocytes were cultured with heat-killed BB536, and the levels of Th2-attracting chemokines in the supernatants were measured. TARC and MDC were produced in cultures without stimulation, and the production was significantly suppressed by BB536. These chemokines were produced by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) of splenocytes stimulated with an anti-CD40 antibody. Furthermore, TARC production was induced with granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor that was produced by T cells and dendritic cells. BB536 suppressed MDC production induced with the anti-CD40 antibody by APCs from the spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and Peyer's patches, and it suppressed TARC production by APCs from the spleen and MLNs. These results indicate that BB536 suppresses the production of Th2-attracting chemokines induced by the T cell-APC interaction, suggesting a novel mechanism for alleviating symptoms of allergic disorders by probiotics.

Effect of Enzymatically Modified Isoquercitrin, a Flavonoid, on Symptoms of Japanese Cedar Pollinosis: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background: Flavonoids exert antiallergic and antioxidant effects. We investigated the efficacy of enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ), a flavonoid, to relieve symptoms of pollinosis. Methods: In a parallel-group, double-blind placebo-controlled study design, 20 subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis took two capsules daily of 100 mg EMIQ or a placebo for 8 weeks during the pollen season. Subjective symptoms and activities of daily living (ADL) scores were recorded every day, and the quality of life (QOL) score was obtained every 4 weeks. Blood sampling was performed before and after the study to measure serum cytokines, chemokines, IgE, quercetin and oxidized biomarkers. Results: During the entire study period, total ocular score and ocular itching score for the EMIQ group were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than for the placebo group. When limited to the individual periods, total symptom score for the EMIQ group was significantly lower (p < 0.05, week 4–5) than that for the placebo group while other scores for the EMIQ group, such as total nasal score (p = 0.06, week 4–5), nasal obstruction score (p = 0.08, week 4–5), lacrimation score (p = 0.06, week 5–6), ocular congestion score (p = 0.08, week 4–7) and ADL score (p = 0.08, week 4–7), all tended to be lower. The levels of serum cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-12, IL-13, interferon-γ, and eotaxin and IgE were not significantly downregulated by the intake of EMIQ but the serum concentrations of oxidized low-density lipoprotein and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine were reduced. Conclusion: Intake of the quercetin glycoside EMIQ was safe and influenced ocular symptoms caused by pollinosis.

Preventative Effect of a Flavonoid, Enzymatically Modified Isoquercitrin on Ocular Symptoms of Japanese Cedar Pollinosis

Flavonoids are nutrients that exert anti-allergic effects. We investigated the preventative effect of enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ), a flavonoid, to relieve the symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis. In a parallel-group, double-blind placebo-controlled study design, 24 subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis took 100mg EMIQ or a placebo for 8 weeks, starting 4 weeks prior to the onset of pollen release. Subjective symptoms, ADL scores and the usage of drugs were recorded daily, and the QOL score was obtained every 4 weeks. Blood sampling was performed before and after the study to measure serum levels of IgE and flavonoids. During the entire study period, ocular symptom + medication score for the EMIQ group was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of the placebo group. When limited to the period, ocular symptom scores (p < 0.05, weeks 5-6), and ocular congestion scores (p < 0.05, weeks 5-6) for the EMIQ group was significantly lower than that for the placebo group while other scores for the EMIQ group, such as ocular itching scores (p = 0.09, weeks 4-5), lacrimation scores (p = 0.07, weeks 5-6), and ocular congestion scores (p = 0.06, weeks 4-5), all tended to be lower. However no significant differences were found in nasal symptoms between the two groups. Serum concentrations of IgE were not significantly downregulated but the serum concentrations of quercetin and its derivatives were elevated significantly by the intake of EMIQ. Intake of the quercetin glycoside EMIQ proved to be effective for the relief of ocular symptoms caused by Japanese cedar pollinosis.

Symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis in children and home-care by parents

Symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis in children and home-care by parents

Effects of Polysaccharide Derived from Black Currant on Relieving Clinical Symptoms of Japanese Cedar Pollinosis: A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

We investigated the efficacy of the polysaccharide derived from black currant, named cassis polysaccharide (CAPS), for inhibiting Japanese cedar pollinosis symptoms and improving quality of life by a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 2006. A total of 28 subjects were enrolled in the study, and 10 subjects in each group completed the trial. Although there was no significant difference between the CAPS and placebo group in the weekly mean value of any symptom in the daily symptom diary at any time, a smaller degree of final symptom aggravation was found in the CAPS group. Significant aggravation of the score was finally observed in the placebo group with inferior conch swelling and with sneezing, itchy nose, itchy eye and watery eye in the Japan rhino-conjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire assessment, while the changes observed in the CAPS group were not significant. In conclusion, our findings clearly indicate that CAPS would be useful as a food supplement in assisting the treatment of Japanese cedar pollinosis.

Aiming towards effective preventive medicine against Japanese cedar pollinosis: epidemiology, patient investigation and integrated research including genotype analyses

SummaryEnvironmental rather than genetic factors appear to play the major role in the recent increased prevalence of Japanese cedar pollinosis in Japan. However, investigating the genes that determine IgE levels and analysing gene polymorphisms may assist in finding new methods of treatment and establishing preventive medicine against this disease. Among a total of 219 asymptomatic individuals who were anti‐Japanese cedar pollen IgE antibody positive as determined by radioallergosorbent test (RAST), only a handful subsequently developed symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis or secondary onset of Japanese cedar pollinosis over 5–14 years of follow‐up. Among those who subsequently developed secondary onset of disease, &gt;50% were found to have high initial RAST scores, suggesting that the incidence of Japanese cedar pollinosis is correlated with RAST score. Hence, it may be prudent to advise asymptomatic individuals with high RAST scores to avoid exposure to Japanese cedar pollen so as to delay onset of the disease. Analysis of sequence variants of the FcɛRIβ gene revealed that patients with nasal allergy exhibit a single‐nucleotide polymorphism in which the amino acid at 237 of the intracellular domain changes from glutamine to glycine more frequently than individuals without nasal allergy. Furthermore, Il homo polymorphism of the IL‐4Rα gene is associated with higher serum nonspecific IgE and Japanese cedar pollen‐specific IgE levels than are seen in individuals showing Il,Val hetero and Val homo expression types. When the age of pollinosis onset was compared among these three genotypes, it was found to be significantly lower among Il homo type than the other two expression types, suggesting that Il homo type individuals seem characteristically pre‐disposed to early onset of pollinosis. Studies comparing eosinophil‐associated gene polymorphism in healthy and pollinosis phenotypes have revealed several relationships among the various genotypes and specific disease parameters and suggest that Eotaxin G (123G/A) and IL5 (–703C/T) genotypes can affect the timing of symptom onset after sensitization as well as nasal mucosal hyper‐responsiveness.

Effect of Milk Fermented withLactobacillus acidophilusStrain L-92 on Symptoms of Japanese Cedar Pollen Allergy: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

A placebo-controlled, single-blind study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus strain L-92 (L-92) on the symptoms of Japanese cedar-pollen allergy. This study was carried out during the 2002 and 2003 seasons of Japanese cedar pollination. Twenty-three in-house volunteers were asked to drink 100 ml of heat-treated milk fermented with L-92 containing 5 x 10(10) of the bacteria, twice a day, for 6 consecutive weeks. A similar study was carried out during the 2003 season for 10 weeks, but the daily dose of bacteria was 2 x 10(10). A significant improvement of the ocular symptom-medication score (SMS) was observed in 2002 and of the score of distress of life in 2003. These data show that a daily oral intake of not less than 2 x 10(10) heat-treated L-92 cells improved the symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis, thereby contributing to reduce the dose of concomitant medications. However, no blood parameter was significantly affected in these trials.

季節性アレルギー性鼻炎有症者を対象とした「べにふうき」緑茶の抗アレルギー作用評価とショウガによる増強効果

A double-blind clinical study was carried out on subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis for the evaluation of the effects and safety of ‘Benifuuki’ green tea, which contains epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)-gallate (O-methylated catechin), and a combination of ‘Benifuuki’ green tea and ginger extract, with ‘Yabukita’ green tea as a placebo. First, the effect of the combination of ‘Benifuuki’ green tea and various vegetable extracts on cytokine production inhibition was investigated using mast cells ; the simultaneous use of ‘Benifuuki’ green tea and ginger extract was found to suppress cytokine (TNF-α or MIPI-α) production to a remarkable extent. Subjects were given 1.5 g of ‘Benifuuki’ green tea, ‘Benifuuki’ green tea containing 30 mg of ginger extract, or ‘Yabukita’ green tea with water twice every day for 13 weeks. As cedar pollen scattering increased, the severity of pollinosis symptoms among the groups was observed to increase in the following order : placebo group>’Benifuuki’ group>’Benifuuki’ and ginger group. Eleven weeks after the beginning of treatment, during the most severe cedar pollen scattering period, symptoms of runny nose and itchy eyes were significantly relieved among the ‘Benifuuki’ group compared with the placebo group (p<0.05). In the ‘Benifuuki’ and ginger group, runny nose, itchy eyes and nose symptom scores were significantly reduced at the eleventh week, and nasal congestion, sore throat and nose symptom medication scores were significantly reduced at the thirteenth week compared with the placebo group. Among all test groups, hematological examination, general biochemical examination, determination of total IgG, CMV antibody titer, and serum iron content, and interviews throughout the intake period found no changes related to clinical problems. These results suggest that intake of ‘Benifuuki’ green tea over one month is useful in reducing some of the symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis, and did not affect normal immune response in subjects with Japanese cedar-pollinosis. It was also found that the addition of ginger extract enhanced the effect of ‘Benifuuki’ green tea.

Identification and characterization of a group 2 conifer pollen allergen from Chamaecyparis obtusa, a homologue of Cry j 2 from Cryptomeria japonica.

Not only Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese cedar) pollen but also that of Chamaecyparis obtusa (Japanese cypress) induces the allergic symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis. However, allergens from C. obtusa pollen have not been as well characterized as those from C. japonica pollen. We sought to identify and characterize a homologue of the second major allergen of C. japonica pollen, Cry j 2, from the pollen of C. obtusa. An allergen homologous to Cry j 2 was identified in C. obtusa pollen extract by immunoblot analysis, probed with anti-Cry j 2 monoclonal antibodies and purified by a series of column chromatographic steps. The allergen isolated from the extract showed a slightly diffuse band of 45 kDa and closely spaced double-bands of 42 and 45 kDa on SDS-PAGE, under reducing and non-reducing conditions, respectively; the bands were approximately 5-7 kDa larger than those of Cry j 2. In 24 of 30 residues, the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the allergen was identical with corresponding sequence in Cry j 2. Most patients with pollinosis who were IgE antibody-positive to Cry j 2 were shown to be IgE antibody-positive to this allergen, and the IgE antibody levels to both allergens were highly correlated. The results indicate that the allergen isolated from C. obtusa pollen in this study is a homologue of Cry j 2. The allergen was designated as Cha o 2 according to the WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Subcommittee recommendation.

Seasonal Changes in Phytohemagglutinin-induced Cytokine Synthesis by Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes of Patients with Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis due to Japanese Cedar Pollens

We investigated the seasonal changes in non-specific stimulation-induced cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis due to Japanese cedar pollen. This study included 16 non-allergic healthy adult volunteers and 115 patients with detectable levels of Japanese cedar pollen-specific IgE in their serum. The 115 patients were divided into five groups, an asymptomatic group (specific IgE was positive but there were no nasal symptoms), a medication group (typical symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis and treated with antihistamine tablets), a good-IT group (responded well to immunotherapy), a poor-IT group (responded poorly to immunotherapy) and a cure group (no symptoms after discontinuation of immunotherapy). PBMCs (1.0 2 10 6 cells/ml) were collected before and during the cedar pollen season in 1998, and were cultured for 24 h in the presence of 10 w g/ml phytohemagglutinin. The concentrations of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN- n in the culture supernatants were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. None of the levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN- n synthesized by PBMCs in the asymptomatic group, medication group, good-IT group, poor-IT group or cure group were significantly different from those in the non-atopic group. In the medication group, the synthesis of TH2-type cytokines (both IL-4 and IL-5), but not of TH1-type cytokine (IFN- n ) was significantly increased during the pollen season compared with before the pollen season, whereas in the non-atopic group, the synthesis of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN- n did not differ significantly before and during the pollen season. The synthesis of both IL-4 and IL-5 was significantly increased during the pollen season in the poor-IT group, whereas the synthesis of IL-4 and IL-5 was not increased during the pollen season in the good-IT or cure groups. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that T-cell reactivity to non-specific stimulation outside of the pollen season did not differ between the patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and non-atopic individuals, that T-cells in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis are affected or primed by the natural pollen exposure to synthesize TH2-type cytokines even in response to non-specific stimulation, and that successful immunotherapy could decrease the natural pollen exposure-primed hyperreactivity of TH2 cells to non-specific stimulants.