House dust mites play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. Many factors may influence mite growth. The presence of mites is related to mean temperature and humidity as well as altitude. The aim of this study was to analyze the mite fauna in 5 regions of western Anatolia, Turkey, that have similar climatic properties with low mean temperature and humidity, but differ in altitude. During the period October-November 2004, house dust was collected from 290 homes in 5 different cities. House dust mites were isolated in 67 (23.1%) of 290 samples. The family Pyroglyphidae (Astigmata) was present in all positive samples. This study suggests that the selected western Anatolian regions that share similar environmental conditions host similar dust mite populations.
Turkey ; Pyroglyphidae/*growth & development ; Prevalence ; Dust/analysis ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus/growth & development ; Animals

A 23-year-old medical student showed a positive reaction on a skin test for Paragonimus westermani, and two Tarsonemus floricolus mites were subsequently found by sputum examination and identified morphologically. Our report is the first human case of Tarsonemus floricolus in Korea.
Adult ; Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mite Infestations/*parasitology ; Pyroglyphidae/anatomy & histology/*growth & development ; Sputum/*parasitology

House dust mite sensitized asthmatics are advised to practice allergen avoidance. Charcoal pillows are used in Korea with unsubstantiated claims regarding their efficacy in alleviating asthma symptoms. We tested the effects of activated charcoal on breeding of house dust mites in culture. Twenty live adult house dust mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) were inoculated, 10 replicates, on culture media containing 0%, 1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, and 20% activated charcoal and incubated at 25 degrees C and a relative humidity of 75%. After four weeks, the mean numbers of live house dust mites were 286, 176, 46, 16, 7, and 0 for the 0%, 1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, and 20% charcoal-containing culture media, respectively. Thus, activated charcoal suppresses breeding of house dust mites and offers a new promising method for house dust mite control.
Pyroglyphidae/*drug effects/*growth & development ; *Pesticides ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Charcoal/*administration & dosage ; Breeding ; Animals

PURPOSE: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common and increasing disease in which Dermatophagoides (D.) farinae is one of the most common causative allergens. The aims of this study were to confirm the presence of locally produced antibodies to D. farinae in nasal secretions between nasal provocation test (NPT)-positive and -negative groups of AR patients, to evaluate their relationships with the levels of inflammatory mediators, and to determine adaptive and innate immune responses in nasal mucosa. METHODS: Sixty AR patients sensitive to house dust mites confirmed by skin prick test or serum specific IgE to D. farinae underwent NPT for D. farinae. Nasal packs were placed in both nasal cavities of the patients for 5 minutes to obtain nasal secretions after NPT. The levels of total IgE, specific IgE to D. farinae, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and tryptase in nasal secretions were detected by using ImmunoCAP. The levels of specific IgE, IgA, and secretory IgA antibodies to D. farinae in nasal secretions were measured by using ELISA. The levels of IL-8, VEGF, IL-25, and IL-33 were also measured by using ELISA. RESULTS: High levels of total IgE, specific IgE, specific IgA, and secretory IgA to D. farinae, as well as inflammatory mediators, such as ECP, IL-8, VEGF and tryptase, were detected in nasal secretions, although the differences were not statistically significant between the NPT-positive and NPT-negative groups. Levels of all immunoglobulins measured in this study significantly correlated with ECP, IL-8, and VEGF (P<0.05), but not with tryptase (P>0.05). IL-33 and IL-25 were also detected, and IL-25 level significantly correlated with IL-8 (r=0.625, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirmed the presence of locally produced specific antibodies, including D. farinae-specific IgE and IgA, in nasal secretions collected from D. farinae-sensitive AR patients in both the NPT-positive and NPT-negative groups, and close correlations were noted between antibodies and nasal inflammatory mediators, including such as ECP, IL-8 and VEGF, indicating that locally produced antibodies may be involved in the nasal inflammation of AR.
Allergens ; Antibodies* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-8 ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Mucosa ; Nasal Provocation Tests ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis* ; Skin ; Tryptases ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Although animal models with ovalbumin have been used to study chronic asthma, there are difficulties in inducing recurrence as well as in maintaining chronic inflammation in this system. Using a murine model of house dust mite (HDM)-induced bronchial asthma, we examined the airway remodeling process in response to the chronic exposure to HDM. During the seventh and twelfth weeks of study, HDM were inhaled through the nose for three consecutive days and airway responsiveness was measured. Twenty-four hours later, bronchoalveolar lavage and histological examination were performed. The degree of overproduction of mucus, subepithelial fibrosis, and the thickness of the peribronchial smooth muscle in the experimental group was clearly increased compared to the control group. In addition, HDM-exposed mice demonstrated severe airway hyperreactivity to methacholine. In the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, the number of total cells and eosinophils was increased; during the twelfth week, the number of neutrophils increased in the experimental group. With regard to changes in cytokines, the concentrations of IL-4, IL- 13, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) were increased in the experimental group. The data suggest that eosinophils, IL-4, IL-13, and TGF-beta might play an important role in the airway remodeling process and that neutrophils may be involved with increased exposure time.
Animals ; Asthma/*etiology/pathology ; Eosinophils/physiology ; Female ; Immunoglobulin E/blood ; Immunoglobulin G/blood ; Inflammation/*etiology ; Interleukin-13/physiology ; Interleukin-4/physiology ; Lung/*pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Pyroglyphidae/*immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/physiology

PURPOSE: T helper (Th) 17 cells play a critical role in the development of asthma, but the underlying mechanism of how interleukin (IL)-17 is regulated in allergic airway inflammation is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the impact of Bcl11b on Th17 response in asthma. METHODS: Blood samples from patients with mild asthma (MA) and severe asthma (SA) were collected. Expression of Bcl11b, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17A and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 were determined in CD4+ T cells and plasma by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Relative mRNA and protein levels of Bcl11b, IL-17A and genes involved in the TGF/Smad signaling pathway were examined by PCR, ELISA and western blot analysis in house dust mite (HDM)-challenged mice. Ectopic expression of Bcl11b in HDM-stimulated primary mouse splenocytes was achieved by nucleofection of Bcl11b expression plasmid. RESULTS: We found significantly decreased Bcl11b but increased IL-17A and TGF-β1 expression in patients with asthma and a strongly negative correlation between Bcl11b and these 2 cytokines in SA patients. Similar expression patterns of Bcl11b, IL-17A and TGF-β1 were also found in mice with HDM-induced allergic airway inflammation. We demonstrated further that Smad2/3 phosphorylation was increased in HDM-challenged mice and that ectopic expression of Bcl11b in HDM-stimulated primary mouse splenocytes reduced Smad2 phosphorylation and IL-17 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate a potential effect of Bc111b in controlling IL-17-mediated inflammation in asthma and suggest that Bc111b may be a useful therapeutic target for asthma.
Animals ; Asthma* ; Blotting, Western ; Cytokines ; Ectopic Gene Expression ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-13 ; Interleukin-17* ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-5 ; Interleukins ; Mice ; Phosphorylation ; Plasma ; Plasmids ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pyroglyphidae ; RNA, Messenger ; T-Lymphocytes ; Transforming Growth Factors

PURPOSE: Serine protease inhibitors are involved in immune development, anti-inflammatory mechanisms, and tissue repair. In the present study, the serine protease inhibitor 4-(2-aminoethyl) benzene sulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride (AEBSF) was evaluated for its prophylactic and therapeutic applications in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: BALB/c mice were divided into 5 groups: contol (CON), Dermatophagoides farinae (Derf), AR mice treated with AEBSF before sensitization (S), AR mice treated with AEBSF after challenge (C), and steroid groups. Derf was used as an allergen. AEBSF was administered before S or after C. Allergic symptom scores, eosinophil counts, proteolytic activity, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-10 levels and serum Derf-specific IgE levels were measured. T-bet, GATA-3, Foxp3, IL-13, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta mRNA levels were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells were assessed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Symptom scores, serum Derf-specific IgE levels, GATA-3 mRNA levels, IL-13 mRNA levels, and tissue eosinophil counts decreased in both the S and C groups (P<0.05). Additionally, the percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells, IL-10 levels, and Foxp3 mRNA levels increased in the S and C groups compared with those in the Derf group (P<0.05). AEBSF treatment decreased the proteolytic activity in the S and C groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic and therapeutic treatment with AEBSF significantly reduces allergic airway inflammation and can induce regulatory T cells in a murine model of AR.
Animals ; Benzene* ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Eosinophils ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorides* ; Immunoglobulin E ; Inflammation* ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-13 ; Interleukins ; Mice* ; Models, Animal ; Pyroglyphidae* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rhinitis* ; RNA, Messenger ; Serine Proteases* ; Serine Proteinase Inhibitors ; T-Lymphocytes ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Transforming Growth Factors

PURPOSE: All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) modulates immune responses by affecting T cells. Several studies have revealed that allergic inflammation of the lower airways is negatively associated with the vitamin A concentration. However, the role of ATRA in allergic inflammation of the upper airways is unclear. We investigated the effects of ATRA in an allergic rhinitis mouse model. METHODS: BALB/c mice except control groups (CON group) were sensitized with and challenged intra-nasally with Dermatophagoides farina (AR group). The ATRA groups were administered ATRA intraperitoneally. The steroid groups were administered steroid intranasally (ST group). Allergic symptoms and the average eosinophil number were counted. Cytokines and transcription factors were measured by Real-Time PCR and Western blotting. Der f-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) was measured. Flow cytometry results of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells were analyzed. RESULTS: The symptom scores were lower in the ATRA group than in the AR group and higher than in the CON group. The levels of IgE were lower in the ATRA group than in the AR group and higher than in the CON and ST groups. The levels of Foxp3, TGF-beta, and IL-10 mRNA, as well as the percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells, were higher in the ATRA group than in theAR group. In the ATRA group the levels of IFN-gamma mRNA were higher, and the levels of GATA-3 and IL-4 mRNA, and ROR-gammat were lower. In Western blotting analyses, the expression patterns of all factors, except Foxp3, showed similar to those of mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: ATRA has anti-allergic effects in an allergic rhinitis model, and its underlying mechanisms mainly include the induction of regulatory T cells and the inhibition of Th2 responses.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cytokines ; Eosinophils ; Flow Cytometry ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-4 ; Mice* ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 ; Pyroglyphidae ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rhinitis* ; RNA, Messenger ; T-Lymphocytes ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Th17 Cells ; Th2 Cells ; Transcription Factors ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Tretinoin* ; Vitamin A