[Immunotherapy by Japanese cedarpollen in atpic dermatitis]

Atopic dermatitis positive to Japanese cedar pollen showed the recurrence or worsening of the symptoms during the pollen season. In 22 cases, 6 children (mean, 11.4 y) and 16 adults (29.5 y) who showed positive to Japanese cedar pollen by RAST, CAST analysis were done by Cry j 1 0.01 approximately 10 micro g/ml and they showed the significant higher simulation indices compared to controls (P<0.01). Randomized analysis of the hyposensitized patients (10 cases) and non-hyposensitized (12 cases) showed significant lower stimulation indices in hyposensitized patients (P<0.01). In six cases stimulation indices were compared after one year of hyposensitization therapy. Four cases to whom hyposensitization were newly introduced showed the significant decreases of stimulation indices: 19.83+/-4.97 (mean+/-SEM) to 6.84+/-6.36 (65.0%) by Cry j 1 0.01 microg/ml, 19.73+/-5.65 to 6.85+/-1.78 (65.3%) by 0.1, 17.88+/-5.11 to 6.36+/-1.53 (64.4%) by 1, and 20.03+/-5.29 to 6.11+/-1.39 (69.5%) by 10, and they showed the significant decreases (P<0.05). By anti-IgE it decreased significantly from 35.08+/-3.42 to 7.00+/-1.77 (79.7%) (P<0.01). In two cases who got hyposensitization therapy for 2 years and 1 1/2 years each, there were no significant decreases of stimulation indices. The symptoms improved significantly and there were little or no recurrence of the symptoms. Symptom scores (Rajka & Langeland) showed significant decreases. Thus, hyposensitization by cedar pollen in atopic dermatitis is a promising treatment.

Maturation of the activities of recombinant mite allergens Der p 1 and Der f 1, and its implication in the blockade of proteolytic activity

Recombinant pro-Der p 1 expressed in yeast Pichia pastoris was convertible into the prosequence-removed mature Der p 1 with full activities of cysteine protease and IgE-binding with or without N-glycosylation of the mature sequence as well as pro-Der f 1. The active recombinant variants will be the basis for various future studies. The major N-terminus of pro-Der p 1 with low proteolytic activity was the putative signal-cleavage site, while that of pro-Der f 1 contained not only the equivalent site but also 21 residues downstream, and pro-Der f 1 retained significant activity. Contribution of the N-terminal region of the Der p 1 prosequence including an N-glycosylation motif on effective inhibition of proteolytic activity of pro-Der p 1 was suggested.

Isolation and characterization of cDNAs that encode homologs of a pathogenesis-related protein allergen from Cryptomeria japonica

Many plant pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins are allergenic. We isolated three cDNAs, Cry j 3.1, Cry j 3.2, and Cry j 3.3, that encoded homologs of Jun a 3, a PR protein allergen in Juniperus ashei, from a cDNA library derived from the pollen of Cryptomeria japonica. The predicted amino acid sequences encoded by the three cDNAs were more than 85% identical to each other and about 57% identical to the sequence of Jun a 3. The Cry j 3 genes seemed to form a small multigene family in the genome of C. japonica. Expression of Cry j 3 was strong in roots and in female and male strobili; expression was weaker in cotyledons, leaves, stems, and pollen grains.

A high-molecular-weight mite antigen (HM1) fraction aggravates airway hyperresponsiveness of allergic mice to house dusts and whole mite cultures

BACKGROUND

The house dust mite Dermatophagoides farinae is the most common aeroallergen causing human allergic asthma. Previously, we demonstrated that a high-molecular-weight allergenic fraction (HM1), which was abundant in D. farinae extracts, induced a proliferative response of T cells from healthy donors. The induction was mediated through the activation of macrophages without MHC class II restriction. In this study, we investigate whether HM1 influences the development of airway inflammation in murine models of asthma.

METHODS

BALB/c mice were injected twice intraperitoneally with D. farinae fecal extract (Dff) at an interval of 5 days. They were exposed daily to aerosolized antigen (group 1: Dff, group 2: HM1, group 3: HM1-depleted Dff and group 4: PBS) for 10 days. The effect of HM1 on their airway inflammation was evaluated by measuring acetylcholine-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissue.

RESULTS

The inhalation of the whole fecal extract or the HM1 fraction induced airway hyperresponsiveness which was detectable after 24 h and was maintained for as long as 120 h. The inhalation of extract depleted of the HM1 fraction induced hyperresponsiveness measured at 24 h but this was not maintained for 120 h. Macrophage infiltration was significantly prolonged in mice inhaling the whole extract and the HM1 fraction compared to the HM1-depleted extract.

CONCLUSION

The inhalation of the high-molecular-weight HM1 fraction of D. farinae prolonged airway hyperresponsiveness and macrophage inflammation in a mouse model of hypersensitivity. The results indicate that the HM1 fraction which can induce T cell proliferation through macrophage activation may play a role in the duration of airway responsiveness.

[Analysis of IgE reactivities of purified allergens from Candida albicans and Malassezia furfur among patients with atopic dermatitis]

We analyzed the reactivities of a series of purified allergens from Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Malassezia furfur (M. furfur) with IgE antibodies in sera from patients with atopic dermatitis. We compared the specific IgE antibody levels to manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn SOD), cyclophilin, enolase, secretory aspartic protease (SAP 2) and type A mannan from C. albicans and Mn SOD, cyclophilin and Mal f 2 from M. furfur in 21 sera from patients with atopic dermatitis and 20 sera from patients with asthma without atopic dermatitis. The prevalence of IgE antibodies and the mean IgE antibody levels to all of the allergens tested were higher among patients with atopic dermatitis than among those with asthma without atopic dermatitis. More than 50% of patients with atopic dermatitis were IgE antibody-positive to Mn SOD, cyclophilin and type A mannan from C. albicans, and Mn SOD and cyclophilin from M. furfur. The availability of these purified allergens will facilitate studies on the contribution of fungal allergens to the development of atopic dermatitis.

The effect of house design and environment on fungal movement in homes of bronchial asthma patients

The effect of house building design and environment on the fungal movement in the houses of 41 bronchial asthma (BA) patients has been investigated by examining house dust. The presence and composition of fungi were determined and compared in relation to building structure, house age, size of living room, main flooring material, presence of a living-room rug or air purifier, and frequency of vacuum cleaning. Among these elements, fungal CFU apparently varied only between building structure: wooden-board houses had significantly higher numbers of fungi than reinforced concrete houses (p < 0.01), and wooden mortar or iron-framed prefabricated houses had significantly higher numbers of fungi than reinforced concrete houses (p < 0.05). Classification of the types of fungi present in the house dust of BA patients showed that, regardless of the building designs, there were high levels of osmophilic fungi (group A) and fungi that survive at relatively dry conditions (group B), whereas fungi that survive in very wet conditions (group D) were present at low frequency.

IgE reactivity and cross-reactivity to Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) pollen allergens in dogs with atopic dermatitis

The natural occurrence of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis has been reported in dogs with atopic dermatitis. However, the reactivity to Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) pollen allergens in these dogs has not been reported. The present study was designed to investigate the reactivity to Japanese cypress pollen allergens in dogs sensitized to Japanese cedar pollen allergens. In 19 dogs with specific IgE to C. japonica pollen allergen, we measured the specific IgE to C. obtusa pollen allergen and examined the reactivity to the allergen by intradermal test. Of the 19 dogs, 18 had specific IgE to crude and purified major allergens (Cha o 1) of C. obtusa pollen. Most of the dogs showed a positive reaction to C. obtusa pollen allergens in the intradermal test. Allergenic cross-reactivity between Cha o 1 and Cry j 1 (a major allergen in C. japonica pollen) was observed by the ELISA inhibition method. Dogs sensitized to Japanese cedar pollen allergens demonstrate reactivity to Japanese cypress pollen allergens.

Analysis of the canine IgE-binding epitope on the major allergen (Cry j 1) of Japanese cedar pollen with anti-Cry j 1 monoclonal antibodies

In our previous study [Immunology 91 (1997) 161] using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to Cry j 1, a major allergen in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen, we identified five independent epitopes (EP-1-EP-5) on the molecule and found that EP-1 and EP-5 are the predominant allergic epitopes for humans and monkeys, respectively. In this study, we analyzed the epitopes recognized by IgE in the sera of 10 dogs sensitive to C. japonica pollen allergen using an IgE-ELISA inhibition method with these mAbs. The IgE reaction patterns varied among dogs. In eight of the 10 dogs, IgE recognized EP-5 which is a predominant allergic epitope for monkeys with the pollenosis. In four dogs, IgE recognized EP-1 which is a predominant allergic epitope for human patients with the pollenosis. In three dogs, IgE recognized EP-4 which is a heat-stable epitope. EP-5 is a predominant allergic epitope for dogs and some, but not all, dogs have IgE reaction patterns to the epitopes similar to those of humans.

Affinity of IgE antibody to antigen influences allergen-induced histamine release

BACKGROUND

Although affinity of an antibody for an antigen is recognized to be an important factor in determining its biological effects, little is known about the relevance of such affinity of IgE antibodies to the functional response.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of IgE antibody affinity to Der p 2 on Der p 2-induced histamine release from human basophils.

METHODS

The most probable value of the dissociation constant (Kd) of IgE antibody to Der p 2 was calculated and histamine release by Der p 2-challenged leucocytes was used to evaluate the biological efficacy of the IgE antibody.

RESULTS

The most probable Kd value of IgE antibody to Der p 2 ranged from 5.6 to 177.8 pM in 14 asthmatic patients sensitive to Der p 2. A significant correlation was observed in Der p 2-induced histamine release between the sensitivity and the Kd value for Der p 2-specific IgE antibody (rs = 0.797, P = 0.0040), suggesting that the higher the affinity, the lower the amount of allergen required for the release of a specific level of histamine.

CONCLUSION

Apart from the changes associated with the reactivity, the sensitivity of histamine release is closely related to the affinity of IgE antibody for its antigen.

[Change in skin reactivity to common allergens in allergic patients over a 30-year period. Association with aeroallergen load]

Five-year changes in the percentage of positive intradermal test to allergens in patients with bronchial asthma (BA) and allergic rhinitis (AR) over a period of 30 years from 1969 to 1998 were analyzed, with consideration of their association with the yearly changes in the levels of airborne pollens and molds over 30 years. Allergens used throughout the period were house dust, pollens from various plants (Japanese cedar, pine, oak, Japanese alder, Zelkova, orchard grass, ragweed, mugwort and Japanese hop) and molds (Alternaria, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Candida). Overall percentages to house dust were higher in BA patients than in AR patients, but those to pollens were distinctly higher in the latter. Those to molds were higher in BA patients, except that those to Alternaria were about the same in both BA and AR patients. Therefore, the clinical expression of allergy may differ according to the type of allergen to which subjects are sensitized. Over the course of 30 years, the increase in the percentage of positive intradermal test to all of the allergens used was noted in both BA and AR patients, although this did not always reflect the aeroallergen load. This includes the two extremes to pollens from Japanese cedar and pine, either of which is the most common source of allergen in Japan. Significant increases in the percentages to Japanese cedar pollen (from 12.5% to 54.4% in BA patients, and from 35.1% to 81.5% in AR patients) appeared to be roughly correlated to marked increases in pollen count. In contrast, that to pine pollen was kept low at about 2%, because of their weak allergenicity, but abruptly increased to 5-6% in the last decade, despite the almost invariable pollen count over the last 30 years. Therefore, the increased sensitivity to aeroallergens may also be associated with other factors besides their load in the air.

IgE-reactivity to major Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen allergens (Cry j 1 and Cry j 2) by ELISA in dogs with atopic dermatitis

The present study investigated IgE-reactivity to two major Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica, C. japonica) pollen allergens (Cry j 1 and Cry j 2) in dogs with atopic dermatitis by use of a fluorometric ELISA. The serum samples from 27 dogs that showed IgE-sensitivity to crude C. japonica pollen allergen by ELISA were tested for specific IgE to the two major allergens. All 27 dogs had anti-Cry j 1 IgE, and 10 (37%) had anti-Cry j 2 IgE. Inhibition of binding of dog specific IgE to crude C. japonica pollen allergen was carried out by addition of Cry j 1. When serum samples containing anti-Cry j 1 IgE but no anti-Cry j 2 IgE were incubated with Cry j 1, specific IgE binding to crude C. japonica pollen allergen was almost abolished. These findings suggest that Cry j 1 is a major allergen in dogs.

Identification and characterization of a group 2 conifer pollen allergen from Chamaecyparis obtusa, a homologue of Cry j 2 from Cryptomeria japonica

BACKGROUND

Not only Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese cedar) pollen but also that of Chamaecyparis obtusa (Japanese cypress) induces the allergic symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis. However, allergens from C. obtusa pollen have not been as well characterized as those from C. japonica pollen.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to identify and characterize a homologue of the second major allergen of C. japonica pollen, Cry j 2, from the pollen of C. obtusa.

METHODS

An allergen homologous to Cry j 2 was identified in C. obtusa pollen extract by immunoblot analysis, probed with anti-Cry j 2 monoclonal antibodies and purified by a series of column chromatographic steps.

RESULTS

The allergen isolated from the extract showed a slightly diffuse band of 45 kDa and closely spaced double-bands of 42 and 45 kDa on SDS-PAGE, under reducing and non-reducing conditions, respectively; the bands were approximately 5-7 kDa larger than those of Cry j 2. In 24 of 30 residues, the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the allergen was identical with corresponding sequence in Cry j 2. Most patients with pollinosis who were IgE antibody-positive to Cry j 2 were shown to be IgE antibody-positive to this allergen, and the IgE antibody levels to both allergens were highly correlated.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that the allergen isolated from C. obtusa pollen in this study is a homologue of Cry j 2. The allergen was designated as Cha o 2 according to the WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Subcommittee recommendation.

A novel operon encoding formaldehyde fixation: the ribulose monophosphate pathway in the gram-positive facultative methylotrophic bacterium Mycobacterium gastri MB19

A 4.2-kb PstI fragment harboring the gene cluster of the ribulose monophosphate (RuMP) pathway for formaldehyde fixation was identified in the chromosome of a gram-positive, facultative methylotroph, Mycobacterium gastri MB19, by using the coding region of 3-hexulose-6-phosphate synthase (HPS) as the hybridization probe. The PstI fragment contained three complete open reading frames (ORFs) which encoded from the 5' end, a DNA-binding regulatory protein (rmpR), 6-phospho-3-hexuloisomerase (PHI; rmpB), and HPS (rmpA). Sequence analysis suggested that rmpA and rmpB constitute an operon, and Northern blot analysis of RNA extracted from bacteria grown under various conditions suggested that the expression of the two genes is similarly regulated at the transcriptional level. A similarity search revealed that the proteins encoded by rmpA and rmpB in M. gastri MB19 show high similarity to the unidentified proteins of nonmethylotrophic prokaryotes, including bacteria and anaerobic archaea. The clusters in the phylogenetic tree of the HPS protein of M. gastri MB19 and those in the phylogenetic tree of the PHI protein were nearly identical, which implies that these two formaldehyde-fixing genes evolved as a pair. These findings give new insight into the acquisition of the formaldehyde fixation pathway during the evolution of diverse microorganisms.

IgE sensitivity and cross-reactivity to crude and purified mite allergens (Der f 1, Der f 2, Der p 1, Der p 2) in atopic dogs sensitive to Dermatophagoides mite allergens

The present study investigates IgE-reactivity to crude and purified mite allergens by intradermal skin test (IDST), Immunodot method, and ELISA in atopic dogs sensitive to mite allergens, as well as the allergenic cross-reactivity between Dermatophgoides (D) farinae (DF) and D. pteronyssinus (DP) in dogs by IgE-ELISA inhibition. IDST and Immunodot method for crude mite allergens were performed for atopic dogs and 16 atopic dogs showed sensitivity to mite allergens. Of the 16 dogs, all dogs had anti-DF IgE and 11 had anti-DP IgE. We measured specific IgE to purified major allergens (Der f 1, Der f 2, Der p 1, Der p 2). Of the 16 atopic dogs, six had anti-Der f 1 IgE and seven had anti-Der f 2 IgE. Similarly, of the 16 dogs, six had anti-Der p 1 IgE and seven had anti-Der p 2 IgE. However, eight dogs had no specific IgE to these mite allergens. These dogs may be sensitive to other major mite allergens except Der 1 and Der 2. In the dogs that had both anti-DF and DP IgE, IgE binding to DF was greatly inhibited by DP, and reciprocal inhibition was observed. Based on these data, it appears that there is a strong cross-reactivity between DF and DP in dogs. Similarly, a cross-reactivity between DF and DP in purified allergens was also observed. IDST and Immunodot method are useful methods for the diagnosis of atopic diseases in dogs, and ELISA is a useful method for further investigation of IgE-reactivity for the allergens.

Bacillus subtilis yckG and yckF encode two key enzymes of the ribulose monophosphate pathway used by methylotrophs, and yckH is required for their expression

The ribulose monophosphate (RuMP) pathway is one of the metabolic pathways for the synthesis of compounds containing carbon-carbon bonds from one-carbon units and is found in many methane- and methanol-utilizing bacteria, which are known as methylotrophs. The characteristic enzymes of this pathway are 3-hexulose-6-phosphate synthase (HPS) and 6-phospho-3-hexuloisomerase (PHI), neither of which was thought to exist outside methylotrophs. However, the presumed yckG gene product (YckG) of Bacillus subtilis shows a primary structure similar to that of methylotroph HPS (F. Kunst et al., Nature 390:249-256, 1997). We have also investigated the sequence similarity between the yckF gene product (YckF) and methylotroph PHI (Y. Sakai, R. Mitsui, Y. Katayama, H. Yanase, and N. Kato, FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 176:125-130, 1999) and found that the yckG and yckF genes of B. subtilis express enzymatic activities of HPS and PHI, respectively. Both of these activities were concomitantly induced in B. subtilis by formaldehyde, with induction showing dependence on the yckH gene, but were not induced by methanol, formate, or methylamine. Disruption of either gene caused moderate sensitivity to formaldehyde, suggesting that these enzymes may act as a detoxification system for formaldehyde in B. subtilis. In conclusion, we found an active yckG (for HPS)-yckF (for PHI) gene structure (now named hxlA-hxlB) in a nonmethylotroph, B. subtilis, which inherently preserves the RuMP pathway.

[A study of aggravation of atopic dermatitis during Japanese cedar pollen season--correlation with grades of dermatitis on face and Cry j 1 specific IgE]

We studied influence of Japanese cedar pollen (Jcp) on aggravation of atopic dermatitis (AD) during the pollination season. 48.5% of 97 patients with atopic dermatitis showed aggravation of dermatitis during the pollination season and 85% of them had Japanese cedar pollinosis, whereas only 44% of AD patients without the aggravation had the pollinosis. There was no difference of grades of dermatitis on face between the groups with or without the aggravation. Furthermore, we measured specific IgE to Jcp and Cry j 1, a major allergen of Jcp, by ELISA in the sera from the 54 patients with AD. The levels of specific IgE antibodies to both allergens in the group with the pollinosis were significantly higher than in the group without the pollinosis. However, significant difference of those was not recognized between the groups with or without the aggravation of AD. Therefore, our study has suggested that Japanese cedar pollen is likely to be one of causes of seasonal aggravation of AD in individuals sensitized to the pollen, and some other factors, e.g. Jcp-specific T cells, might play an important roll in addition to the Jcp-specific IgE.

Cloning and expression of Der f 6, a serine protease allergen from the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae

House dust mite allergen is thought to be a major cause of asthma. Characterization of these allergen molecules is therefore an important step for the development of effective diagnostic and therapeutic agents against mite-associated allergic disorders. Here we report molecular cloning and expression of the group 6 (chymotrypsin-like) allergen from the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae. Sequencing analysis indicates that cloned cDNA, designated Der f 6, encodes a 279 amino acid polypeptide which conserves a primary structure characteristic for chymotrypsin-like serine proteases found in mammals. Recombinant Der f 6 expressed in Escherichia coli bound IgE in a pool made of 20 sera, and induced histamine release from patients' peripheral blood cells.

Two-dimensional electrophoresis of Malassezia allergens for atopic dermatitis and isolation of Mal f 4 homologs with mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase

The yeast Malassezia furfur is a natural inhabitant of the human skin microflora that induces an allergic reaction in atopic dermatitis. To identify allergens of M. furfur, we separated a crude preparation of M. furfur antigens as discrete spots by 2-D PAGE and detected IgE-binding proteins using sera of atopic dermatitis patients. We identified the known allergens, Mal f 2 and Mal f 3, and determined N-terminal amino acid sequences of six new IgE-binding proteins including Mal f 4. The cDNA and genomic DNA encoding Mal f 4 were cloned and sequenced. The gene was mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase and encoded Mal f 4 composed of 315 amino acids and a signal sequence of 27 amino acids. We purified Mal f 4, which had a molecular mass of 35 kDa from a membrane fraction of a lysate of cultured cells. Thirty of 36 M. furfur-allergic atopic dermatitis patients (83.3%) had elevated serum levels of IgE to purified Mal f 4, indicating that Mal f 4 is a major allergen. There was a significant correlation of the Phadebas RAST unit values of Mal f 4 and the crude antigen, but not between Mal f 4 and the known allergen Mal f 2.

Identification and cloning of two novel allergens from the lipophilic yeast, Malassezia furfur

Two novel allergens, designated Mal f 2 and Mal f 3 according to the WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Subcommittee recommendation, were isolated from the lipophilic yeast Malassezia furfur cell extracts and the genes coding for those were cloned. Mal f 2 and Mal f 3 had apparent molecular weights of 21 kDa and 20 kDa, respectively, on SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. The identified cDNA clone of Mal f 2 encoded an open reading frame of 177 amino acid residues. Fifty-one percent identity was found between the Mal f 2 and Mal f 3 sequences. Comparison of the Mal f 2 and Mal f 3 sequences with known protein sequences revealed that they had sequence homology with two peroxisomal membrane proteins of Candida boidinii and an Aspergillus fumigatus allergen, Asp f 3. In RAST, both Mal f 2- and Mal f 3-specific IgE antibodies could be detected in approximately 70 % of sera from M. furfur sensitized patients with atopic dermatitis.

Overproduction of DnaJ in Escherichia coli improves in vivo solubility of the recombinant fish-derived transglutaminase

The overexpression of red sea bream (Pagrus major) transglutaminase (TGase, E.C. 2.3.2.13) in Escherichia coli mostly leads to the accumulation of biologically inactive enzyme. Although the solubility of the gene products could be improved by cultivation at a lower temperature (26-28 degrees C), most of the synthesized TGase was still in the form of insoluble aggregates. The effects of overproduction of molecular chaperones on the intracellular solubility of newly produced recombinant TGase were examined. The overexpression of dnaK or groES/EL did not improve solubility. However, DnaJ greatly increased the solubility of the recombinant TGase, resulting in active enzyme in the presence of calcium ions. Co-expression of dnaK along with dnaJ further increased the content of soluble TGase. Under our experimental conditions, supplementation with both DnaJ and DnaK elevated the TGase activity in the producer cells by roughly 4-fold, compared with the control strain cultured at 30 degrees C. Thus, we found that DnaJ is important in controlling the solubility of protein overproduced in E. coli.