Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common nonfatal disease burden worldwide. Systemic chronic low-grade inflammation has been reported to be associated with MDD progression by affecting monoaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission. However, whether various proinflammatory cytokines are abnormally elevated before the first episode of depression is still largely unclear. Here, we evaluated 184 adolescent patients who were experiencing their first episode of depressive disorder, and the same number of healthy individuals was included as controls. We tested the serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IgE, 14 different types of food antigen-specific IgG, histamine, homocysteine, S100 calcium-binding protein B, and diamine oxidase. We were not able to find any significant differences in the serum levels of hs-CRP or TNF-α between the two groups. However, the histamine level of the patients (12.35 μM) was significantly higher than that of the controls (9.73 μM, P < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). Moreover, significantly higher serum food antigen-specific IgG positive rates were also found in the patient group. Furthermore, over 80% of patients exhibited prolonged food intolerance with elevated levels of serum histamine, leading to hyperpermeability of the blood-brain barrier, which has previously been implicated in the pathogenesis of MDD. Hence, prolonged high levels of serum histamine could be a risk factor for depressive disorders, and antihistamine release might represent a novel therapeutic strategy for depression treatment.
Adolescent ; Biomarkers ; blood ; C-Reactive Protein ; Chronic Disease ; Cytokines ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; blood ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; blood ; complications ; Histamine ; blood ; Homocysteine ; blood ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; immunology ; Inflammation Mediators ; blood ; Male ; Risk Factors ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit ; blood ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Plastic resins are complex chemicals that contain toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and/or trimellitic anhydride (TMA), which cause occupational allergies (OA), including respiratory allergies. Serum IgGs against TDI and TMA have been suggested as potential markers of the exposure status and as exploring cause of OA. Although TDI-specific IgG has been examined for suspected OA, TMA-specific IgG is not commonly evaluated in a urethane foam factory. This study therefore investigated both TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs in suspected OA patients and to evaluate the usefulness of the measurement of multiple chemical-specific IgG measurement for practical monitoring. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from two male workers who developed respiratory allergies supposedly caused by occupational exposure to TDI and/or TMA for the presence of TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs. In addition, blood samples from 75 male workers from a urethane foam factory, along with 87 male control subjects, were collected in 2014 and tested for the same IgGs in 2014. The presence and levels of TDI- and TMA-specific serum IgGs were measured using dot blot assays. RESULTS: We found that controls had mean concentrations of TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs of 0.98 and 2.10 μg/mL, respectively. In the two workers with respiratory allergies, the TDI-specific IgG concentrations were 15.6 and 9.51 μg/mL, and TMA-specific IgG concentrations were 4.56 and 14.4 μg/mL, which are clearly higher than those in controls. Mean concentrations of TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs in the factory workers were 1.89 and 2.41 μg/mL, respectively, and are significantly higher than those of the controls (P < 0.001 and P < 0.026 for TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs, respectively). CONCLUSION The workers suspected of OA showed an evidently high level of TDI- and TMA-specific IgG, and these levels in workers at the urethane foam factory were also significantly higher than those in controls. In conclusion, the measurement of TDI- and TMA-specific IgG among workers using plastic resins is helpful to monitor their exposure status.
Adult ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; adverse effects ; immunology ; Environmental Monitoring ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; immunology ; Japan ; Male ; Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities ; statistics & numerical data ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; blood ; chemically induced ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; statistics & numerical data ; Phthalic Anhydrides ; immunology ; toxicity ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity ; blood ; chemically induced ; Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate ; immunology ; toxicity ; Workforce

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) and non-methylated CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) on the expression of peripheral blood CD4CD25regulatory T (Treg) cells in young mice with food allergy, as well as their immune intervention effects.

METHODSA total of 40 female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, allergic group, ADSC treatment group, and CpG-ODN treatment group, with 10 mice in each group. A mouse model of food allergy was established by intraperitoneal injection and intragastric administration of ovalbumin (OVA) for sensitization and challenge. The mice in the control group were treated with normal saline at the same dose; the mice in the ADSC treatment group were given intraperitoneal injection of ADSC (1×10cells for each mouse) before and after OVA challenge, and those in the CpG-ODN treatment group were given intraperitoneal injection of non-methylated CpG-ODN solution (40 μg for each mouse) at 1 hour before challenge by gavage. The allergic symptom scores were determined for each group after model establishment. ELISA was used to measure the serum level of OVA-IgE. Flow cytometry was used to measure the percentage of peripheral blood CD4CD25Treg cells. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used for the pathological analysis of the jejunum.

RESULTSThe allergic group had significantly higher allergic symptom scores and serum level of OVA-IgE than the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the allergic symptom score and the serum level of OVA-IgE between the ADSC treatment group and the CpG-ODN treatment group (P>0.05), but these two groups had significantly lower allergic symptom scores and serum level of OVA-IgE than the allergic group and significantly higher allergic symptom scores and serum level of OVA-IgE than the control group (P<0.01). The allergic group had a significantly lower percentage of peripheral blood CD4CD25Treg cells than the control group (P<0.05). The ADSC treatment group and the CpG-ODN treatment group had a significantly higher percentage of peripheral blood CD4CD25Treg cells than the allergic group (P<0.05); there were no significant differences between these two groups or between them and the control group (P>0.05). Pathological results showed structural damage and edema in the jejunal villi, a large number of eosinophils, and lymphocyte infiltration in the allergic group, while the ADSC treatment group and the CpG-ODN treatment group had less structural damage and edema in the jejunal villi, a lower number of eosinophils, and less lymphocyte infiltration.

CONCLUSIONSADSC and non-methylated CpG-ODN have a certain effect in the treatment of food allergy and can increase the percentage of peripheral blood CD4CD25Treg cells and reduce the level of OVA-IgE. They may be associated with the induction of immune tolerance and these two treatment have comparable effects. Detailed mechanisms of action still need further investigation.

Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; immunology ; therapy ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; pharmacology ; Ovalbumin ; immunology ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; drug effects ; immunology

Wheat dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA) is a rare but potentially severe food allergy caused by the combination of wheat ingestion and physical exercise. The impact of WDEIA on quality of life (QOL) is unclear. This study characterized the clinical and laboratory features and investigated the QOL in WDEIA patients from Central China. Twenty-eight WDEIA patients were analyzed, and QOL was measured by validated Chinese version Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Adult Form (FAQLQ-AF) and Food Allergy Independent Measure (FAIM) after obtaining the diagnosis. The results showed that half of the patients were females. The median onset age was 37 years old. The symptoms occurred within 1 h after wheat ingestion (26/28). Symptoms of anaphylaxis included cutaneous (26/28), respiratory (11/28), gastro-intestinal (5/28) and cardiovascular manifestations (27/28). Skin prick tests were positive to salt soluble (89.3%) and salt insoluble wheat allergen extracts (100%). Positive rate to wheat, gluten and omega-5 gliadin specific IgE was 64.3%, 92.9% and 92.9% respectively. Specific IgE to omega-5 gliadin with a cut-off value 0.83 KU/L offered highly efficient diagnostic criterion for WDEIA (sensitivity: 89.3%; and specificity: 88.9%). The mean scores of FAQLQ-AF and FAIM were 4.70 and 4.98 respectively and level of anti-omega-5 gliadin IgE had positive correlations with FAQLQ scores. Thereby, WDEIA is commonly found in mid-age adults. In most cases, multi-organs especially skin and cardiovascular systems are involved. Salt insoluble wheat allergen skin test and serum specific IgE to gluten and omega-5 gliadin help to diagnose WDEIA. QOL in WDEIA patients is severely impaired.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Allergens ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; immunology ; Anaphylaxis ; diagnosis ; immunology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; China ; Exercise ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Gliadin ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; immunology ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Lung ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Skin ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Skin Tests ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Triticum ; chemistry ; immunology ; Wheat Hypersensitivity ; diagnosis ; immunology ; physiopathology ; psychology

Oak and birch trees belong to Fagales order. Specific IgE to pollen allergens of both trees are frequently found in Korea pollinosis patients. Oak trees which comprise 40% of forest area are common in Korea. However, birch trees are sparse. We compared the allergenicity of pollen extracts of white oak, sawtooth and Mongolian oaks which are prevalent species in Korea, with the pollen extract of birch. The cross-reactivity of four pollen extracts was examined with pooled sera of 12 patients by ELISA, immunoblotting and CAP inhibitions. A protein of 17 kDa, putatively homologous to a major birch allergen Bet v 1, displayed strong IgE reactivity from white oak and sawtooth oak pollen extract but not from Mongolian oak pollen. Notably, a 23-kDa protein from sawtooth and white oaks showed strong IgE reactivity and inhibited by Bet v 1. IgE binding to white oak was inhibited a maximum of 94.6% by white oak, 93.4% by sawtooth oak, 83.2% by Mongolian oak, and 68.8% by birch. Furthermore, sawtooth oak, white oak, and Mongolian oak extracts were able to inhibit up to 78.5%, 76.6% and 67.3% of IgE binding to birch extract, while birch extract itself inhibited up to 94.3%. Specific IgE to Bet v 1 was inhibited a maximum of 79.1% by sawtooth oak, 77.4% by white oak, and 72.7% by Mongolian oak, while 81.5% inhibition was shown by birch. Bet v 1 was able to partially inhibit its homologous molecules from sawtooth oak and white oak in immunoblotting. Birch pollen extract was found to be cross-reactive primarily with Bet v 1-homologous allergen from oak pollens in Korea pollinosis patients. Considering the sparseness of birch tree in Korea, oak, especially sawtooth oak may be the main cause of tree pollinosis in Korea, rather than birch.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Allergens/*immunology ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Betula/growth & development/*immunology ; Child ; Cross Reactions ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity/*diagnosis ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoglobulin E/blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pollen/*immunology ; Quercus/growth & development/*immunology ; Republic of Korea

BACKGROUNDVenom allergy is significantly underestimated in China. Venom-specific IgE may not provide accurate clinical reactions. Our conducted retrospective analysis observes alternative diagnostic considerations in assessing confirmation and severity of honeybee venom allergy.

METHODSRetrospective review of honeybee venom allergy versus nonallergy patients presented with positive honeybee venom (i1) sIgE results. According to clinically observed reactions caused by a honeybee sting, patients were divided into three groups. Patient residence and exposure types were analyzed. The sIgE/T-IgE among allergy and control groups was compared.

RESULTSGender ratio male:female was 32:22; median age was 39 years (31, 50). 48% (26/54) of patients live in urban areas, 52% (28/54) in rural areas. Based on bee sting reactions, patients were divided into common localized reactions (32/54), large localized reactions (7/54), and systemic reactions (15/54). In the systemic reaction group, patients presented as Type II (6/15), Type III (6/15). There is significant difference (P < 0.001) between the three groups in regards to exposure types. In the systemic reaction group, 8.7% (13/15) of patients are beekeepers. A significant difference (P < 0.001) was observed between allergic and control groups based on sIgE/T-IgE results. As well as significant difference observed between the systemic reaction group to the other two reaction groups in regards to sIgE/T-IgE results. Six systemic reaction patients presented with large localized reactions before onset of system symptoms 1 month to 1 year of being stung.

CONCLUSIONSOccupational exposure is the most common cause in honeybee venom allergy induced systemic reactions. The use of sIgE/T-IgE results is a useful diagnostic parameter in determining honeybee venom allergy.

Adult ; Bee Venoms ; immunology ; Beekeeping ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; blood ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; immunology ; Insect Bites and Stings ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo establish a food allergy model in Brown Norway (BN) rats by gavage of ovalbumin (OVA) without any adjuvant, and to evaluate this model.

METHODSA total of 20 male BN rats aged 3 weeks were randomly divided into allergy group and control group (n=10 each). BN rats in the allergy group were given OVA 1 mg per day by gavage, and all the rats were treated for 41 days continuously. On day 42, the rats in the allergy group were given OVA 100 mg by gavage for challenge. The rats in the control group were given normal saline of the same volume by gavage. Differences in body length, body weight, and food intake were compared between the two groups on days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42. ELISA was used to measure the serum OVA-IgE level and plasma histamine level after challenge on day 42, and the changes in rats' appearance and fecal properties were observed. The model of food allergy was considered successful when the serum OVA-IgE level in the allergy group was no less than the mean serum OVA-IgE level + 3 standard deviation in the control group.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in body length, body weight or food intake between the allergy and control groups at all time points (P>0.05). On day 21, the control group had a significantly higher food intake than the allergy group (P<0.05). On day 42 after challenge, the allergy group showed significantly higher serum OVA-IgE and plasma histamine levels than the control group (P<0.05). The sensitization rate (rate of successful modeling) was 90%. The fecal properties showed no significant differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSOVA by gavage without any adjuvant can successfully establish the model of food allergy in BN rats and has a high success rate. Food allergy induced by OVA may reduce food intake within a short period of time, but no influence on rats' body length or body weight has been observed.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Food Hypersensitivity ; etiology ; immunology ; Histamine ; blood ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Male ; Ovalbumin ; immunology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred BN

OBJECTIVETo investigate the immunoregulatory effect of adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) transplantation by intraperitoneal injection in food-allergic young mice before and after ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization.

METHODSThirty-two 3-week-old female Balb/c mice were randomly divided into control, allergic model, ADSC treatment, and ADSC prevention groups (n=8 each). A young mouse model of food allergy was established by OVA sensitization via intraperitoneal injection. Each mouse from the prevention and treatment groups was transplanted with 1×10(6) ADSCs on days 1 and 15 post-sensitization, respectively. The allergic symptoms of all groups were observed and scored. The jejunal villi and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Serum levels of allergy-related inflammatory cytokines were measured by Luminex.

RESULTSCompared with the allergic model group, the ADSC prevention and ADSC treatment groups had significantly reduced allergic symptom scores (P<0.05). The two groups also showed significantly alleviated allergic pathological damage of the jejunal mucosa. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-22 and IL-23 were significantly lower in the ADSC prevention and treatment groups than in the allergic model group (P<0.05). However, the ADSC treatment group had a significantly increased serum interferon-γ level and a significantly reduced serum monocyte chemotactic protein-1 level compared with the allergic model and ADSC prevention groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSADSC transplantation, performed before or after sensitization, has an immunoregulatory effect on food allergy in young Balb/c mice, but this effect is better if transplantation is performed after sensitization.

Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Animals ; Cytokines ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; immunology ; therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Stem Cell Transplantation

Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Infant ; Male ; Milk Hypersensitivity ; diagnosis ; Milk Proteins ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo determine the clinical significance of milk protein-specific IgE (sIgE) for infants with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA).

METHODSNinety-six infants with CMPA were divided into IgE+ group (n=26) and IgE- group (n=70) and clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. Infants were denied allergy-inducing food and fed instead extensively hydrolyzed formulas or amino-acid formulas for 16 weeks before the two groups were compared.

RESULTSTwenty-seven percent of the infants were sIgE-seropositive. The first onset age of CMPA was significantly younger in the IgE+ group than in the IgE- group (P<0.05), and the family history of allergy and respiratory symptoms were significantly less common in the IgE- group than in the IgE+ group (P<0.05). Severe CMPA, gastrointestinal symptoms, underweight, growth retardation, anemia, and hypoproteinemia were significantly more common in the IgE- group than in the IgE+ group (P<0.05). Erythema, urticaria, vomiting, nasal discharge, cough, wheezing, and paroxysms of crying were major clinical symptoms of the IgE+ group, and their incidences were significantly higher in the IgE+ group than in the IgE- group (P<0.05); eczema, constipation, and diarrhea were major symptoms of the IgE- group, and their incidences were significantly higher in the IgE- group than in the IgE+ group (P<0.05). The remission rate of each symptom was as high as over 80% in the two groups after 16 weeks of intervention and there was no significant difference in the remission rates between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIgE seropositive rate is not high in infants with CMPA. Atypical signs instead of allergic symptoms are more common in the IgE seronegative infants with CMPA. Avoiding allergy-inducing food and eating extensively hydrolyzed formulas or amino-acid formulas in early age benefit infants with IgE-mediated or non-IgE-mediated CMPA.

Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Infant ; Male ; Milk Hypersensitivity ; immunology