New Perspectives in the Modulation of Allergic Inflammation

Abstract

Studies on the regulation of IgE synthesis by IgE cellular receptors or fragments thereof, the so-called IgE-binding factors, are currently attracting much attention. Even more important may be some lymphokines such as interleukin 4 and interferon gamma which have been shown to have opposite influences on IgE synthesis, both in vitro and in vivo. However, the role of anti-isotypic anti-IgE antibodies, which have been shown to occur frequently during an IgE response, also deserves to be further investigated. At the effector level, namely the development of immediate and late allergic reactions following renewed encounter with allergen, new concepts such as variable releasability and priming of effector cells by lymphokines have opened new investigative pathways. Indeed, pretreatment of neutrophils by granulocyte/monocyte colony-stimulating factor or basophils by interleukin 3 appears essential for production or optimal release of inflammatory mediators such as histamine, leukotrienes, or platelet-activating factor. Even the successive impact of purified lymphokines such as interleukins 3 and 8 on basophils may suffice to initiate mediator release. These phenomena may explain, at the molecular level, the induction of a state of hyperreactivity characteristic of the late-phase allergic reaction. They also suggest new immunopharmacological approaches for the treatment of allergy.

The significance of stress hormones (glucocorticoids, catecholamines) for eruptions and spontaneous remission phases in psoriasis

“…23±25 IgG, IgA, IgM, and complement activity, with normal C3 deposits in psoriatic stratum corneum in the DEJ region and in the dermal vessels, has been reported. 31 There have been reports of an increase in serum IgE levels in Ps. 28,29 There would appear to be a correlation between Ps activity and serum IgE concentration.…”

Analysis of anti-IgE and allergen induced human basophil activation by flow cytometry. Comparison with histamine release

“…The buffy coat (300 l) was washed once with a Hepes calcium buffer (HCB): Hepes 20 mM, NaCl 130 mM, KCl 5 mM, Ca þþ 2 mM, Mg þþ 1 mM, BSA 1 mg/ml pH 7.4) primed by the addition of 1,5 ml of interleukin-3 (IL-3) (2 ng/ml final concentration) diluted in the same buffer and preincubated for 10 min at 37 ЊC. The addition of IL-3 to the incubation medium leads to a preactivation or priming of human basophils and therefore to an increase sensitivity to agonists [13,25]. The leukocyte suspension (30 l) was then mixed in microtitre plates with an anti-IgE dilution (30 l, final concentration 0.2 g/ml).…”

Investigation of the anti‐allergic activity of azelastine on the immediate and late‐phase reactions to allergens and histamine using telethermography

“…The immediate allergic reaction is triggered by allergen interacting with tissue mast cells carrying specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E. The late‐phase reaction then follows a few hours later. Various mediators, particularly leukotrienes and cytokines, produced by activated mast cells or T lymphocytes may be responsible for the cellular infiltration and the secondary release of mediators that characterize the late‐phase reaction [ 8].…”