TY  - JOUR
AB  - Objectives: Asthma is a heterogeneous disease regarding its pathophysiology, clinical symptoms, and response to treatment. Eicosanoids are important inflammatory mediators, able to either promote or attenuate the underlying chronic airway inflammation. We compared eicosanoid expression patterns in the blood circulation and in stimulated blood leukocytes of asthma patients to identify differences in eicosanoid release which may be related to airway inflammation. Methods: Blood was collected from 198 adult asthmatic patients and 63 healthy controls, participating in the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) ALLIANCE cohort. Eicosanoid release from leukocytes was analyzed using heparinized whole blood after in vitro stimulation with zymosan. Additionally, circulating eicosanoids were measured directly from ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) plasma. Eicosanoids were extracted via solid phase extraction and quantified by high-performance-liquid-chromatography-tandem-mass-spectrometry (HPLC-MS2). Results: Eicosanoid levels were low in blood circulation with no significant differences between asthmatics and controls, except for leukotriene E4 (LTE4) which was slightly elevated in asthmatics. After in vitro stimulation we observed an inhibition of prostaglandin and thromboxane biosynthesis only in patients with severe asthma which was related to the regular use of systemic corticosteroids. In contrast, a significant increase was shown for formation of the 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) product LTE4 in steroid-naïve asthmatics with moderate as well as severe disease severity but not in subjects with systemic steroid treatment. Furthermore 15-Hydorxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) production was elevated in asthmatic patients with mild-to-moderate disease activity but dropped down in severe asthmatics. Conclusions: Profiling of eicosanoid production in stimulated whole blood samples showed a specific biosynthesis pattern of asthmatic patients, which is influenced by the use of systemic corticosteroids.
AU  - Skevaki, C.*
AU  - Tafo, P.*
AU  - Bahmer, T.*
AU  - Abdo, M.*
AU  - Watz, H.*
AU  - Pedersen, F.*
AU  - Herzmann, C.*
AU  - Rabe, K.F.*
AU  - Renz, H.*
AU  - Nockher, W.A.*
AU  - ALLIANCE Study Group as part of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) (Ege, M.J.)
AU  - ALLIANCE Study Group as part of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) (Illi, S.)
AU  - ALLIANCE Study Group as part of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) (Jakwerth, C.A.)
AU  - ALLIANCE Study Group as part of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) (Maison, N.)
AU  - ALLIANCE Study Group as part of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) (Omony, J.)
AU  - ALLIANCE Study Group as part of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) (Schmidt-Weber, C.B.)
AU  - ALLIANCE Study Group as part of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) (von Mutius, E.)
AU  - ALLIANCE Study Group as part of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) (Zissler, U.M.)
C1  - 74000
C2  - 57251
TI  - Differential expression of eicosanoid pathways after whole blood stimulation in asthma patients.
JO  - World Allergy Organiz. J.
VL  - 18
IS  - 4
PY  - 2025
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Rationale: Asthma remission is a state of low to no disease activity. To date, little is known about predictors and the achievability of long-term asthma remission. Objective: To identify clinical predictors and trends of long-term remission in a cohort of adults with mild to severe asthma. Methods: This study included 203 adults with mild to severe asthma from the All Age Asthma Cohort, followed over 6 years. Participants attended 5 visits, during which type 2 inflammation markers (blood and sputum eosinophils, fractional exhaled nitric oxide), lung function measurements (oscillometry, spirometry), atopy and systemic comorbidities were assessed. Clinical remission was defined by an Asthma Control Test score of ≥20 plus the absence of both severe exacerbations and systemic corticosteroid use in the past 12 months, and normal or stable lung function. Long-term remission was defined as remission lasting at least 3 consecutive years, while short-term remission lasted 1 or 2 consecutive years. Results: The frequencies of long-term, short-term, and no remission were 27%, 34%, and 39%, respectively. 16% of all patients with severe asthma achieved long-term remission, compared to 65% of those with mild-to-moderate disease. Over one-third of all patients never achieved remission and had persistent T2 markers despite high-dose ICS. Predictors of no asthma remission included number of persistent T2-markers (OR:0.26, CI: 0.11, 0.61), frequency dependence of resistance (FDR, R5-R20Hz; OR:0.36, CI: 0.15, 0.82), FEV1/FVC (OR:0.16, CI: 0.06, 0.37), GERD (OR:0.23, CI: 0.1, 0.5), CVD (OR:0.44, CI: 0.22, 0.87), dyslipidemia (OR:0.38, CI: 0.13, 1.05), whereas sensitization to house dust mite was associated with a higher remission rate (OR:2.06, CI: 1.03, 4.17). During long-term follow-up, significant adjusted predictors of no remission were sputum eosinophils, small airway dysfunction, and airflow obstruction. Conclusion: This study highlights a substantial unmet need in achieving long-term remission, particularly in patients with persistent type 2 inflammation and impaired lung function, prompting re-evaluation of targeting T2 inflammation earlier to prevent lung function impairment.
AU  - Veith, V.*
AU  - Pedersen, F.*
AU  - Watz, H.*
AU  - Kirsten, A.M.*
AU  - Brinkmann, F.*
AU  - Kopp, M.V.*
AU  - Dittrich, A.M.*
AU  - Hansen, G.*
AU  - Maison, N.
AU  - Schaub, B.*
AU  - von Mutius, E.
AU  - Rabe, K.F.*
AU  - Bahmer, T.*
AU  - Abdo, M.*
C1  - 75749
C2  - 58112
CY  - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands
SP  - 12
TI  - Exploring trends and predictors of long-term asthma remission.
JO  - World Allergy Organiz. J.
VL  - 18
IS  - 10
PB  - Elsevier
PY  - 2025
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - BACKGROUND: The level of environmental exposure throughout life may contribute to the prevalence of allergic sensitization and allergic disease. The alpine climate has been considered a healthy climate with little allergen exposure and pollution. We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate local environmental exposure and concomitant prevalence of allergic sensitization among local school children born and raised in an alpine environment. METHODS: Clinical and demographic data were collected with a questionnaire. Allergen content was assessed in residential settled dust samples, lifetime exposure to pollen and air pollution was calculated using data from national pollen and air pollution monitoring stations, and the allergic sensitization profile was determined with component resolved diagnostics (ISAC®). Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to estimate the relation between exposure and sensitization. RESULTS: In a cohort of children born and raised in an alpine environment, sensitization to aeroallergens is quite common (38%), especially to grass (33%) and cat (16%). House dust mite allergen was detected in up to 38% of residential dust samples, but sensitization to HDM was low (2.5%). Pollutant levels were low, but an increasing trend was observed in the amount of ozone and PM10. Living close to a busy road was associated with increased odds OR (95% CI) for being sensitized to any allergen 2.7 (1.0-7.2), to outdoor allergens 2.8 (1.1-7.1) and being sensitized plus reporting symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis 4.4 (1.3-14.8) and asthma 5.5 (1.4-21). Indoor living conditions, including the presence of visible mold, increased the odds of being sensitized to indoor allergens (1.9 (1.1-3.2) and being sensitized plus reporting symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis 1.9 (1.0-3.6) and asthma 2.1 (1.0-4.1). CONCLUSION: In a healthy alpine environment, pollution might still be an important factor contributing to allergic sensitization.
AU  - Fieten, K.B.*
AU  - Maya-Manzano, J.M.
AU  - Rückert, B.*
AU  - Candeias, J.
AU  - Pusch, G.
AU  - Buters, J.T.M.
AU  - Akdis, C.A.*
AU  - Traidl-Hoffmann, C.
C1  - 68986
C2  - 53796
CY  - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands
TI  - Environmental exposure and sensitization patterns in a Swiss alpine pediatric cohort.
JO  - World Allergy Organiz. J.
VL  - 16
IS  - 12
PB  - Elsevier
PY  - 2023
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Background: Asthma and its main phenotype allergic asthma are prevalent, chronic, and complex diseases affecting 4% of the population. One main trigger for allergic asthma exacerbations is pollen. Online health information search behavior by people is increasing, and analysis of web-search data can provide valuable insight into disease burden and risk factors of a population. Objectives: We sought to perform a web-search data analysis and correlation to climate factors and pollen in 2 European countries. Methods: We analyzed the national web-search volume for allergic asthma-related keywords in Germany and Sweden from 2018 to 2021 and correlated it to local pollen counts, climatic factors, and drug prescription rates. Results: Per capita, more searches were conducted in Sweden than in Germany. A complex geographic stratification within the countries was observed. Search results were seasonal with a peak in spring and correlated with pollen counts in both countries. However, anti-asthmatic drug prescription rates in Sweden, as well as temperature and precipitation in both countries, did not correlate with search volume. Conclusion: Our analysis offers population-level insights about this complex disease by reporting its needs and establishing the correlation to pollen counts, which enables a targeted approach in the public health management of allergic asthma. Local pollen counts, as opposed to temperature or precipitation, might be good predictors of allergic asthma disease burden.
AU  - Sitaru, S.*
AU  - Tizek, L.*
AU  - Buters, J.T.M.
AU  - Ekebom, A.*
AU  - Wallin, J.E.*
AU  - Zink, A.*
C1  - 67543
C2  - 54051
CY  - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands
TI  - Assessing the national burden of allergic asthma by web-search data, pollen counts, and drug prescriptions in Germany and Sweden.
JO  - World Allergy Organiz. J.
VL  - 16
IS  - 2
PB  - Elsevier
PY  - 2023
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - BACKGROUND: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways and one of the most important non-communicable diseases worldwide. Analyzing crowdsourced data can help understand public interest and unmet needs as well as potential factors influencing search behavior. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate asthma-related web search data in Europe to identify possible regional and seasonal variations and to assess public interest. METHODS: Google Ads Keyword Planner was used to measure search volume for search terms related to asthma, allergic asthma, and bronchial asthma in 21 European countries between January 2018 and December 2021. The top 10 keywords of each country were categorized qualitatively. Search volume per 100 000 inhabitants was descriptively assessed in terms of regional and seasonal trends. Spearman correlations between search volume and pollen concentration as well as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases were investigated. RESULTS: The median search volume per 100 000 inhabitants for asthma and allergic asthma was highest in Northern and Western Europe, while the highest search volume for bronchial asthma was observed in Western and Eastern regions. A seasonal trend was identified for all search terms and in all regions. Correlations were found between search frequency and pollen load and search behavior and COVID-19 cases. Overall, Europeans were most interested in the diseases in general, their treatment options, and symptoms. CONCLUSION: These results highlighted the need for reliable and region-specific information about the disease and for public campaigns to improve asthma control. The study also emphasizes the importance of using crowdsourced data for a more encompassing overview beyond conventional healthcare data.
AU  - Wecker, H.*
AU  - Tizek, L.*
AU  - Ziehfreund, S.*
AU  - Kain, A.*
AU  - Traidl-Hoffmann, C.
AU  - Zimmermann, G.S.*
AU  - Scala, E.*
AU  - Elberling, J.*
AU  - Doll, A.*
AU  - Boffa, M.J.*
AU  - Schmidt, L.*
AU  - Sikora, M.*
AU  - Torres, T.*
AU  - Ballardini, N.*
AU  - Chernyshov, P.V.*
AU  - Buters, J.T.M.
AU  - Biedermann, T.*
AU  - Zink, A.*
C1  - 68007
C2  - 54485
CY  - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands
TI  - Impact of asthma in Europe: A comparison of web search data in 21 European countries.
JO  - World Allergy Organiz. J.
VL  - 16
IS  - 8
PB  - Elsevier
PY  - 2023
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Background: Pollen allergies are a major public health concern worldwide. An IgE-mediated systemic inflammatory response to pollen allergens causes symptoms of allergic rhinitis or even asthma. They have a significant impact on individual quality of life and cause high socioeconomic strain. The aim of this study was to examine the value of pollen allergy-related web search data for public health. Methods: An in-depth analysis of search volumes and contents, and their correlation with factors of disease activity such as rates of dispensed medicine and pollen concentration, was conducted. In this retrospective longitudinal study, Google Ads Keyword Planner was used to determine the internet search volume of terms related to pollen allergies across Germany and Sweden as a whole and in each of the 16 German federal states and 21 Swedish provinces between January 2017 and December 2020. This search volume was converted into searches per 100,000 inhabitants and categorized qualitatively. Results: A total search volume of 7405 searches per 100,000 inhabitants in Germany and 17,592 searches per 100,000 inhabitants in Sweden was observed, with the total yearly search volume increasing continually in both countries during the study period. Regional search volume correlated with antihistamine dispensation rates (ρ = 0.848–0.960) and pollen concentration (ρ = 0.566–0.922). While overall search interest was higher in Sweden, a higher interest in treatment options was identified in Germany. Conclusion: Internet websearch data is an excellent proxy for disease activity of allergic rhinitis. In the 4-year study period, the interest in pollen allergies has increased and there are unmet medical needs in both countries.
AU  - Schober, A.*
AU  - Tizek, L.*
AU  - Johansson, E.K.*
AU  - Ekebom, A.*
AU  - Wallin, J.E.*
AU  - Buters, J.T.M.
AU  - Schneider, S.*
AU  - Zink, A.*
C1  - 66732
C2  - 53284
CY  - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands
TI  - Monitoring disease activity of pollen allergies: What crowdsourced data are telling us.
JO  - World Allergy Organiz. J.
VL  - 15
IS  - 12
PB  - Elsevier
PY  - 2022
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Background: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a marker of type-2 inflammation used both to support diagnosis of asthma and follow up asthma patients. The associations of FeNO with lung function decline and bronchodilator (BD) response have been studied only scarcely in large populations. Objectives: To study the association between FeNO and a) retrospective lung function decline over 20 years, and b) lung function response to BD among asthmatic subjects compared with non-asthmatic subjects and with regards to current smoking and sex. Methods: Longitudinal analyses of previous lung function decline and FeNO level at follow-up and cross-sectional analyses of BD response and FeNO levels in 4257 participants (651 asthmatics) from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. Results: Among asthmatic subjects, higher percentage declines of FEV  and FEV /FVC were associated with higher FeNO levels (p = 0.001 for both) at follow-up. These correlations were found mainly among non-smoking individuals (p = 0.001) and females (p = 0.001) in stratified analyses. Percentage increase in FEV  after BD was positively associated with FeNO levels in non-asthmatic subjects. Further, after stratified for sex and smoking separately, a positive association was seen between FEV  and FeNO levels in non-smokers and women, regardless of asthma status. Conclusions: We found a relationship between elevated FeNO and larger FEV  decline over 20 years among subjects with asthma who were non-smokers or women. The association between elevated FeNO levels and larger BD response was found in both non-asthmatic and asthmatic subjects, mainly in women and non-smoking subjects.
AU  - Nerpin, E.*
AU  - Ferreira, D.S.*
AU  - Weyler, J.*
AU  - Schlunnsen, V.*
AU  - Jõgi, R.*
AU  - Raherison Semjen, C.*
AU  - Gislasson, T.*
AU  - Demoly, P.*
AU  - Heinrich, J.
AU  - Nowak, D.*
AU  - Corsico, A.*
AU  - Accordini, S.*
AU  - Marcon, A.*
AU  - Squillacioti, G.*
AU  - Olivieri, M.*
AU  - Nielsen, R.*
AU  - Johannessen, A.*
AU  - Gómez Real, F.*
AU  - Garcia-Aymerich, J.*
AU  - Urrutia, I.*
AU  - Pereira-Vega, A.*
AU  - Gullón, J.A.*
AU  - Olin, A.C.*
AU  - Forsberg, B.*
AU  - Emilsson, Ö.I.*
AU  - Pin, I.*
AU  - Jarvis, D.*
AU  - Janson, C.*
AU  - Malinovschi, A.*
C1  - 62139
C2  - 50663
CY  - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands
TI  - Bronchodilator response and lung function decline: Associations with exhaled nitric oxide with regard to sex and smoking status.
JO  - World Allergy Organiz. J.
VL  - 14
IS  - 5
PB  - Elsevier
PY  - 2021
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - The epithelial cell-derived cytokine milieu has been discussed as a "master switch" in the development of allergic disease.To understand the role of innate immune response in nasal epithelial cells during allergic inflammation, we created and established a fast and minimally invasive method to isolate and culture human nasal epithelial cells from clinically and immunologically well characterized patients. Human nasal epithelial cells from non-atopic volunteers and from allergic rhinitis patients were compared in respect to their growth, barrier integrity, pattern recognition, receptor expression, and immune responses to allergens and an array of pathogen-associated molecular patterns and inflammasome activators.Cells from nasal scrapings were clearly identified as nasal epithelial cells by staining of pan-Cytokeratin, Cytokeratin-14 and Tubulin. Additionally, Mucin 5AC staining revealed the presence of goblet cells, while staining of tight-junction protein Claudin-1, Occludin and ZO-1 showed the ability of the cells to form a tight barrier. Cells of atopic donors grew slower than cells of non-atopic donors. All nasal epithelial cells expressed TLR1-6 and 9, yet the expression of TLR-9 was lower in cells from allergic rhinitis (AR) donors. Additionally, epithelial cells from AR donors responded with a different TLR expression pattern to stimulation with TLR ligands. TLR-3 was the most potent modulator of cytokine and chemokine secretion in all human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs). The secretion of IL-1 beta, CCL-5, IL-8, IL-18 and IL-33 was elevated in HNECs of AR donors as compared to cells of non-atopic donors. This was observed in the steady-state (IL-18, IL-33) as well as under stimulation with TLR ligands (IL-18, IL-33, CCL-5, IL-8), aqueous pollen extracts (IL-18, IL-33), or the inflammasome activator Nigericin (IL-1 beta).In conclusion, nasal epithelial cells of AR donors show altered physical barrier responses in steadystate and in response to allergen stimulation. Cells of AR donors show increased expression of pro-inflammatory and IL-1 family cytokines at baseline and under stimulation, which could contribute to a micromilieu which is favorable for Th2.
AU  - Bergougnan, C.
AU  - Dittlein, D.
AU  - Hümmer, E.*
AU  - Riepl, R.
AU  - Eisenbart, S.
AU  - Böck, D.
AU  - Griesbaum, L.
AU  - Weigl, A.
AU  - Damialis, A.
AU  - Hartwig, A.*
AU  - Neumann, A.U.
AU  - Zenk, J.*
AU  - Traidl-Hoffmann, C.
AU  - Gilles, S.
C1  - 58569
C2  - 48525
CY  - Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands
TI  - Physical and immunological barrier of human primary nasal epithelial cells from non-allergic and allergic donors.
JO  - World Allergy Organiz. J.
VL  - 13
IS  - 3
PB  - Elsevier
PY  - 2020
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Background: There is a high prevalence of allergies in Germany, with approximately 20% of the population having at least one allergy and only about 10% of these being treated adequately. We conducted a cross-sectional study in a rural area of Bavaria (Southern Germany) to evaluate the prevalence of allergies and their treatment, because research regarding this topic is currently limited. Methods: Data were collected in 10 offices of non-dermatological doctors using a self-filled questionnaire to ask participants about allergies and treatment. Results: A total of 641 questionnaires were appropriate for analysis. The prevalence of allergies in the Bavarian countryside was higher than that reported for Germany (37.3% vs. 20.0%). Furthermore, almost a third (30.4%) of allergies were not treated at all. The most frequently consulted therapist was found to be a general practitioner. Conclusions: Based on the study results, there is a need for prevention programs and establishment of treatments for certain allergies to minimize long-term health effects. Moreover, more studies are needed to analyze the prevalence of allergies in farmers who had a higher prevalence of allergies compared to previously reported prevalence in literature reviews. Trial registrations: The study was approved by the ethical review committee of the Technical University Munich (EC number 548/16S).
AU  - Boehmer, D.*
AU  - Schuster, B.*
AU  - Krause, J.*
AU  - Darsow, U.*
AU  - Biedermann, T.
AU  - Zink, A.
C1  - 54825
C2  - 45898
CY  - Campus, 4 Crinan St, London N1 9xw, England
TI  - Prevalence and treatment of allergies in rural areas of Bavaria, Germany: A cross-sectional study.
JO  - World Allergy Organiz. J.
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
PB  - Bmc
PY  - 2018
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - The prevalence of allergic airway diseases such as asthma and rhinitis has increased dramatically to epidemic proportions worldwide. Besides air pollution from industry derived emissions and motor vehicles, the rising trend can only be explained by gross changes in the environments where we live. The world economy has been transformed over the last 25 years with developing countries being at the core of these changes. Around the planet, in both developed and developing countries, environments are undergoing profound changes. Many of these changes are considered to have negative effects on respiratory health and to enhance the frequency and severity of respiratory diseases such as asthma in the general population. Increased concentrations of greenhouse gases, and especially carbon dioxide (CO2), in the atmosphere have already warmed the planet substantially, causing more severe and prolonged heat waves, variability in temperature, increased air pollution, forest fires, droughts, and floods - all of which can put the respiratory health of the public at risk. These changes in climate and air quality have a measurable impact not only on the morbidity but also the mortality of patients with asthma and other respiratory diseases. The massive increase in emissions of air pollutants due to economic and industrial growth in the last century has made air quality an environmental problem of the first order in a large number of regions of the world. A body of evidence suggests that major changes to our world are occurring and involve the atmosphere and its associated climate. These changes, including global warming induced by human activity, have an impact on the biosphere, biodiversity, and the human environment. Mitigating this huge health impact and reversing the effects of these changes are major challenges. This statement of the World Allergy Organization (WAO) raises the importance of this health hazard and highlights the facts on climate-related health impacts, including: deaths and acute morbidity due to heat waves and extreme meteorological events; increased frequency of acute cardio-respiratory events due to higher concentrations of ground level ozone; changes in the frequency of respiratory diseases due to trans-boundary particle pollution; altered spatial and temporal distribution of allergens (pollens, molds, and mites); and some infectious disease vectors. According to this report, these impacts will not only affect those with current asthma but also increase the incidence and prevalence of allergic respiratory conditions and of asthma. The effects of climate change on respiratory allergy are still not well defined, and more studies addressing this topic are needed. Global warming is expected to affect the start, duration, and intensity of the pollen season on the one hand, and the rate of asthma exacerbations due to air pollution, respiratory infections, and/or cold air inhalation, and other conditions on the other hand.
AU  - D'Amato, G.*
AU  - Holgate, S.T.*
AU  - Pawankar, R.*
AU  - Ledford, D.K.*
AU  - Cecchi, L.*
AU  - Al-Ahmad, M.*
AU  - Al-Enezi, F.*
AU  - Al-Muhsen, S.*
AU  - Ansotegui, I.J.*
AU  - Baena-Cagnani, C.E.*
AU  - Baker, D.J.*
AU  - Bayram, H.*
AU  - Bergmann, K.C.*
AU  - Boulet, L.P.*
AU  - Buters, J.T.M.
AU  - D'Amato, M.*
AU  - Dorsano, S.*
AU  - Douwes, J.*
AU  - Finlay, S.E.*
AU  - Garrasi, D.*
AU  - Gomez, M.*
AU  - Haahtela, T.*
AU  - Halwani, R.*
AU  - Hassani, Y.*
AU  - Mahboub, B.*
AU  - Marks, G.B.*
AU  - Michelozzi, P.*
AU  - Montagni, M.*
AU  - Nunes, C.*
AU  - Oh, J.J.*
AU  - Popov, T.A.*
AU  - Portnoy, J.*
AU  - Ridolo, E.*
AU  - Rosario, N.*
AU  - Rottem, M.*
AU  - Sanchez-Borges, M.*
AU  - Sibanda, E.*
AU  - Sienra-Monge, J.J.*
AU  - Vitale, C.*
AU  - Annesi-Maesano, I.*
C1  - 46415
C2  - 37545
TI  - Meteorological conditions, climate change, new emerging factors, and asthma and related allergic disorders. A statement of the World Allergy Organization.
JO  - World Allergy Organiz. J.
VL  - 8
IS  - 1
PY  - 2015
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pollen allergens are delivered to epithelial surfaces of the upper respiratory tract in conjunction with multiple endogenous adjuvants. We previously demonstrated pollen-mediated modulation of cytokine and chemokine production of dendritic cells, contributing to a Th2-dominated micromilieu. As T helper cell differentiation not only depends on dendritic cell-derived cytokines but also on cell-cell-contact mediated mechanisms, we studied the expression of notch ligands and myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88) in dendritic cells matured in the presence of aqueous birch pollen extracts and pollen-associated E1-phytoprostanes. METHODS: Human monocyte-derived dendritic cells were stimulated with aqueous birch pollen extracts in the absence or presence of lipopolysaccharide, and mRNA expression levels of notch ligands delta-1 and -4, jagged-1 and -2 and of myd88 were determined. Regulation of Delta-4 and MyD88 by aqueous pollen extracts was assessed on protein level. The contribution of notch signaling to T helper cell differentiation was analyzed in allogeneic T cell stimulation assays. RESULTS: In immature dendritic cells, stimulation with pollen extracts resulted in an induction of both delta and jagged notch ligands. The lipopolysaccharide-induced up-regulation of delta-1 and -4 and of myd88 was decreased by aqueous pollen extracts, whereas jagged expression was induced. Reduction of Delta-4 and MyD88 by aqueous pollen extracts was confirmed on protein level. The Th2-skewing activity was contained in a fraction of aqueous pollen extracts enriched for molecules <3 kDa and was distinct from the previously identified E1-phytoprostanes. Reduction of notch signaling in dendritic cells matured in the presence aqueous pollen extract leads to inhibition of IL-10 and to induction of IL-5 production in naïve T cells differentiated by these dendritic cells. CONCLUSIONS: Pollen derived, non-allergenic factors reduce the dendritic cell's expression of Th1 instructing Delta-like notch ligands and of MyD88, thereby promoting Th2 skewing of T helper cell responses.
AU  - Gilles, S.*
AU  - Beck, I.*
AU  - Lange, S.*
AU  - Ring, J.*
AU  - Behrendt, H.
AU  - Traidl-Hoffmann, C.*
C1  - 43157
C2  - 36305
TI  - Non-allergenic factors from pollen modulate T helper cell instructing notch ligands on dendritic cells.
JO  - World Allergy Organiz. J.
VL  - 8
IS  - 1
PY  - 2015
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Although the pathophysiology of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and bronchial asthma is rather well established, the role of allergy in atopic eczema (AE) is still controversial. By a technique called atopy patch test, aeroallergens like house dust mite, animal dander, or pollen were proven as relevant trigger factors in a subgroup of patients with AE. The atopy patch test is an epicutaneous patch test with such allergens known to elicit IgE-mediated reactions, and used for the evaluation of eczematous skin reactions. In a series of single-center and multicenter studies, a method was developed, standardized, and compared with other diagnostic techniques (radioallergosorbent test, skin prick test) in AE patients. With regard to clinical history, the most specific results were obtained with the atopy patch test (allergen-dependent, 69%-92%), whereas sensitivity was higher for skin prick test (range, 69%-82%) and specific IgE (range, 65%-94%). The characterization of a patient subgroup with relevant IgE-mediated allergy may lead to more efficient avoidance and eventually even specific immunotherapy strategies in the management of AE.
AU  - Darsow, U.
AU  - Ring, J.
C1  - 1436
C2  - 25723
SP  - 51-56
TI  - Immunoglobulin E-mediated allergy plays a role in atopic eczema as shown in the atopy patch test.
JO  - World Allergy Organiz. J.
VL  - 1
IS  - 3
PB  - World Allergy Organization
PY  - 2008
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Specific immunotherapy (SIT) protocols for nutritional allergens have only recently been established with a focus on oral allergy syndrome because of pollen cross-reacting antibodies. For these patients, a substantial number of studies have been published suggesting benefits from SIT. The situation in true anaphylaxis to food allergens such as peanut allergy is more complex, and therapeutic strategies are based on individual protocols rather than controlled studies. However, in defined cases, SIT represents a promising approach for a durable protection from life-threatening risks after accidental ingestion.
AU  - Kerzl, R.*
AU  - Mempel, M.
AU  - Ring, J.
C1  - 4422
C2  - 25592
SP  - 47-50
TI  - Allergen-specific immunotherapy in food anaphylaxis.
JO  - World Allergy Organiz. J.
VL  - 1
PB  - World Allergy Organization
PY  - 2008
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Itch is the major symptom of many allergic or inflammatory skin diseases, yet it is still difficult to measure objectively. This article shows and updates the development and approaches of central nervous system investigation of itch.Human neuroimaging studies on the physiology and pathophysiology of itch sensation have been hampered by the lack of a reproducible "on-off" stimulus. Short-term alternating temperature modulation of histamine-induced itch has recently been shown to provide on-off characteristics.Recent studies with functional magnetic resonance imaging demonstrate that itch sensation in healthy volunteers is processed by a network of brain regions contributing to the encoding of sensory, emotional, attentional, evaluative, and motivational aspects of itch.
AU  - Pfab, F.
AU  - Valet, M.*
AU  - Tölle, T.*
AU  - Behrendt, H.
AU  - Ring, J.
AU  - Darsow, U.
C1  - 4058
C2  - 25775
SP  - 168-173
TI  - Recent progress in unraveling central nervous system processing of itch sensation.
JO  - World Allergy Organiz. J.
VL  - 10
PB  - World Allergy Organization
PY  - 2008
ER  -