PurposeThe environmental factors human rhinoviruses (HRVs) and house dust mites (HDMs) are the most common causes of acute exacerbations of asthma. The aim of this study was to compare the chemokine production induced by HRVs in airway epithelial cells with that induced by other respiratory viruses, and to investigate synergistic interactions between HRVs and HDMs on the induction of inflammatory chemokines in vitro.MethodsA549 human airway epithelial cells were infected with either rhinovirus serotype 7, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-A2 strain, or adenovirus serotype 3 and analyzed for interleukin (IL)-8 and regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) release and mRNA expression. Additionally, activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and activator protein (AP)-1 were evaluated. The release of IL-8 and RANTES was also measured in cells stimulated simultaneously with a virus and the HDM allergen, Der f1.ResultsHRV caused greater IL-8 and RANTES release and mRNA expression compared with either RSV or adenovirus. NF-κB and AP-1 were activated in these processes. Cells incubated with a virus and Der f1 showed an increased IL-8 release. However, compared with cells incubated with virus alone as the stimulator, only HRV with Der f1 showed a statistically significant increase.ConclusionsIL-8 and RANTES were induced to a greater extent by HRV compared with other viruses, and only HRV with Der f1 acted synergistically to induce bronchial epithelial IL-8 release. These findings may correspond with the fact that rhinoviruses are identified more frequently than other viruses in cases of acute exacerbation of asthma.

PurposeThe aim of the present study was to investigate the differences in lower airway inflammatory immune responses, including cellular responses and responses in terms of inflammatory mediators in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the airway, to rhinovirus (RV) infection on asthma exacerbation by comparing a control and a murine asthma model, with or without RV infection.MethodsBALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with a crude extract of Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and were subsequently intranasally treated with a crude extract of Df or PBS. Airway responsiveness and cell infiltration, differential cell counts in BALF, and cytokine and chemokine concentrations in BALF were measured 24 hours after intranasal RV1B infection.ResultsRV infection increased the enhanced pause (Penh) in both the Df sensitized and challenged mice (Df mice) and PBS-treated mice (PBS mice) (P<0.05). Airway eosinophil infiltration increased in Df mice after RV infection (P<0.05). The levels of interleukin (IL) 13, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted (RANTES) increased in response to RV infection in Df mice, but not in PBS mice (P<0.05). The level of IL-10 significantly decreased following RV infection in Df mice (P<0.05).ConclusionOur findings suggest that the augmented induction of proinflammatory cytokines, Th2 cytokines, and chemokines that mediate an eosinophil response and the decreased induction of regulatory cytokines after RV infection may be important manifestations leading to airway inflammation with eosinophil infiltration and changes in airway responsiveness in the asthma model.

PTX-3 reflected disease severity but failed to predict length of hospital stay. Further studies evaluating the use of PTX-3 as a biomarker in mild LRTI would be useful.

Objectives Lidocaine, a local anaesthetic is a treatment option in uncontrolled asthma due to its immunomodulatory effects. In the present study, proparacaine (PPC), a derivative of lidocaine was examined for its therapeutic application in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis.Methods The mice were grouped into 4 groups: control group, allergic rhinitis (AR) group, ciclesonide (CIC) group, and PPC group. Nasal symptom scores, eosinophil counts, goblet cell counts, and mast cells counts in the nasal mucosa were measured. Serum ovalbumin (OVA)-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E, OVA-specific IgG1, OVA-specific IgG2a, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and cortisol levels were measured.Results Intranasal administration of PPC significantly decreased nasal symptoms, number of eosinophils, goblet cells, and mast cells in the lamina propria of the nasal mucosa. Serum OVA-specific IgE, OVA-specific IgG1, OVA-specific IgG2a was significantly higher in the AR compared with the control group. Serum level of IL-4 was significantly lower in the CIC group and PPC group in comparison with AR group. Serum IL-5 showed no significant difference among all groups. No significant difference in serum cortisol levels was observed among the 4 groups.Conclusion PPC appears to have a therapeutic potential in treatment of allergic rhinitis in a mouse model by reducing eosinophil, goblet cell, and mast cell infiltration in the nasal mucosa.

BackgroundHouse dust mites (HDMs) are important sources of indoor allergens. Seventeen components have been identified from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p).ObjectiveOur aim was to define the prevalence of specific IgE to components of Der p in Korea and investigate the clinical features of them in children with allergic disease.MethodsWe performed a prospective evaluation of 80 HDM sensitized patients with history of allergic rhinitis (AR), atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma and urticaria (UC). Patients underwent ImmunoCAP for total IgE, Der p, Der f, Der p 1, Der p 2, and Der p 10.ResultsSeventy-nine patients had detectable serum IgE to Der p, 80 patients were sensitized to Der f, 66 patients were sensitized to Der p 1, 63 patients to Der p 2, and 7 patients were sensitized to Der p 10. Der p 1 specific IgE was significantly lower in the UC group compared with the AD and AR group. Total IgE was significantly higher in the Der p 10 sensitized group. Der p 10 serum IgE level was highly correlated with crab and shrimp specific IgE. There was a significant positive correlation between total IgE and specific IgE to Der p and its components and Der f.ConclusionSensitization to HDM and its components in Korea is similar to previous studies from temperate climate. The determination of Der p 1, Der p 2, and Der p 10 specific IgE helps in obtaining additional information in regards to allergic disease.