[Allergies in adults]

Decreased viability and proliferation of CHANG conjunctival epithelial cells after contact with ultraviolet light-irradiated pollen

CONTEXT

Contact with pollen is the major reason for the development of allergic symptoms on the ocular surface leading to a significant increase of allergic diseases worldwide. Environmental changes such as increased ultraviolet (UV) radiation and air pollution are discussed as contributory causes for this increase.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the effect of UV light on the histamine content of pollen and examined if an irradiation of pollen affects the viability and proliferation of conjunctival cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Alder (Alnus glutinosa) and hazel (Corylus avellana) pollen were irradiated for different time periods with sunlight, UV-A or UV-B light and the histamine content was analysed and compared with non-irradiated pollen. Conjunctival epithelial cells (CHANG cells) were exposed to irradiated and non-irradiated pollen followed by an assessment of cell viability with the colorimetric MTS test and the impedance-based measurement of cell proliferation using the xCELLigence real-time analysis system.

RESULTS

UV light irradiation increased the histamine level of alder and hazel pollen in a dose-dependent manner. CHANG cells treated with irradiated pollen induced a statistically significant higher decrease of cell viability than treatment with non-irradiated pollen.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that UV light is able to alter pollen thus making them more harmful for conjunctival cells.

[Prevalence of allergic diseases in Germany: results of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1)]

In the first wave of the "German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults" (DEGS1), up-to-date and representative data regarding allergic diseases of 7988 18- to 79-year-old subjects living in Germany were collected using computer-assisted medical interviews. The study identified a lifetime prevalence of 8.6% for asthma, 14.8% for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, 3.5% each for atopic dermatitis and urticaria, 8.1% for contact eczema, 4.7% for food allergies and 2.8% for insect venom allergies. Overall, nearly one third of adults in Germany have been diagnosed with at least one of the above mentioned allergies during their lifetime by a physician. Currently, nearly 20% suffer from at least one allergic disease. Generally, women reported an allergic disease more frequently than men and younger subjects more frequently than older ones. Additionally, allergies are more common in the former federal states of West Germany than in the former East German federal states. A high socioeconomic status and living in large cities both increase allergy risk. During the last 10 years, asthma prevalence increased about 3%, whereas the prevalence of urticaria and contact eczema declined. The lifetime prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis and food allergies appeared unchanged. In total, allergy prevalence has declined from 32.7-28.7% over the past decade. An English full-text version of this article is available at SpringerLink as supplemental.

A study on serum IgE and clinical symptomatology of atopy in patients suffering from the lysosomal storage disorder Fabry disease

BACKGROUND

Lysosomal storage disorders may impair intracellular lysosomal processing of antigen with consequences for antibody production [e.g. immunoglobulin E (IgE)] and atopic disease status.

AIMS

Serum concentration of total IgE as well as clinical symptoms of atopic disorders as an indirect consequence of lysosomal impairment of antigen processing were studied in male and female Fabry disease (FD) patients with and without replacement of the missing lysosomal enzyme, alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-Gal A).

METHODS

Observational study in 31 adult FD patients with measurements of total serum IgE concentration. Questionnaire-derived data were obtained for atopic eczema (AE) skin lesions, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (RCA) and allergic asthma (AA) at present or in the past.

RESULTS

Among 12 FD males under enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), 2 showed total IgE concentrations above 100 kU/L. Clinical symptoms for AA were found in 2, RCA and AE in 1, respectively. Among 10 FD females under ERT, 4 showed total IgE concentrations above 100 kU/L. Clinical symptoms for AA were found in 4, RCA in 2 and AE in 2. Among 9 females without ERT, 2 showed total IgE concentrations above 100 kU/L. Clinical symptoms for AA were found in 2, RCA in 2 and AE in none.

CONCLUSIONS

FD patients may demonstrate an increased total serum IgE concentration and may show symptoms of atopic disorders (AA, RCA, AE) in a prevalence rate comparable to international experience for individuals without FD. There was no difference between patients with and without ERT. Lack of detection of AE in females without ERT is suggested to be caused by the small sample size. FD patients without any alpha-Gal A activity prior to initiation of ERT should be in the focus of future studies.