Chemical and Biological Characteristics of Oxytropis pseudoglandulosa Plant of Mongolian Origin

Oxytropis pseudoglandulosa is used in Mongolian traditional medicine due to its numerous reported health-promoting effects. To date, there are very few scientific reports that describe this species. In this article, its volatile oil composition, lipid extract composition, total phenolic and flavonoid content, antibacterial and allergenic properties are elucidated for the first time. Hexadecanoic acid, fokienol and tricosane were determined as the most notable components of the volatile oil, at 13.13, 11.46 and 5.55%, respectively. Methyl benzoate was shown to be the most abundant component of lipid extract at 40.69, followed by (E)-prop-2-enoic acid, 3-phenyl- and benzenepropanoic acid, at 18.55 and 9.97%. With a TPC of 6.620 mg GAE g−1 and TFC of 10.316 mg QE g−1, the plant extract of O. pseudoglandulosa indicated good antioxidant activity measured by IC50 at 18.761 µg mL−1. Of the 12 tested microorganisms, B. subtilis and S. cerevisiae were the shown to be most susceptible to the plant extract, with MIC at 2.081 and 0.260% (v/v), respectively. Bet v 1—a major birch pollen allergen found in plant-based foods—was determined to be at 192.02 ng g−1 with ELISA. Such a wide spectrum of biological activity indicated by O. pseudoglandulosa lends credence for its application in food industry. Its exerted antioxidant and antimicrobial effects could improve preservation of low-processed food dedicated for consumers afflicted with allergies. Hexadecanoic acid supplemented in foods with dietary plant extracts could add to the potential anti-inflammatory impact. The analysis of lipid makeup suggests O. pseudoglandulosa extract could also be considered as natural pesticide in organic farming.

The Flagellin:Allergen Fusion Protein rFlaA:Betv1 Induces a MyD88− and MAPK-Dependent Activation of Glucose Metabolism in Macrophages

TLR5 ligand flagellin-containing fusion proteins are potential vaccine candidates for many diseases. A recombinant fusion protein of flagellin A and the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 (rFlaA:Betv1) modulates immune responses in vitro and in vivo. We studied the effects of rFlaA:Betv1 on bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). BMDMs differentiated from BALB/c, C57BL/6, TLR5−/−, or MyD88−/− mice were pre-treated with inhibitors, stimulated with rFlaA:Betv1 or respective controls, and analyzed for activation, cytokine secretion, metabolic state, RNA transcriptome, and modulation of allergen-specific Th2 responses. Stimulation of BMDMs with rFlaA:Betv1 resulted in MyD88-dependent production of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, CD69 upregulation, and a pronounced shift towards glycolysis paralleled by activation of MAPK, NFκB, and mTOR signaling. Inhibition of either mTOR (rapamycin) or SAP/JNK-MAPK signaling (SP600125) resulted in dose-dependent metabolic suppression. In BMDM and T cell co-cultures, rFlaA:Betv1 stimulation suppressed rBet v 1-induced IL-5 and IL-13 secretion while inducing IFN-γ production. mRNA-Seq analyses showed HIF-1a, JAK, STAT, phagosome, NLR, NFκB, TNF, TLR, and chemokine signaling to participate in the interplay of cell activation, glycolysis, and immune response. rFlaA:Betv1 strongly activated BMDMs, resulting in MyD88−, MAPK−, and mTOR-dependent enhancement of glucose metabolism. Our results suggest macrophages are important target cells to consider during restauration of allergen tolerance during AIT.

The Influence of Air Pollution on the Development of Allergic Inflammation in the Airways in Krakow’s Atopic and Non-Atopic Residents

Until now, the simultaneous influence of air pollution assessed by measuring the objective marker of exposition (1-hydroxypirene, 1-OHP) and atopy on the development of allergic airway diseases has not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine the pathomechanism of the allergic response to PM2.5 in atopic and non-atopic patients. We investigated the changes in peripheral blood basophil activity of patients after stimulation with the birch pollen allergen alone, the allergen combined with PM2.5 (BP), PM2.5 alone, a concentration of 1-OHP in urine, and a distance of residence from the main road in 30 persons. Activation by dust alone was positive for all concentrations in 83% of atopic and 75% of non-atopic assays. In the group of people with atopy, the simultaneous activation of BP gave a higher percentage of active basophils compared to the sum of activation with dust and birch pollen alone (B + P) for all concentrations. The difference between BP and B + P was 117.5 (p = 0.02) at a PM concentration of 100 μg. Such a relationship was not observed in the control group. The correlation coefficient between the distance of residence from major roads and urinary 1-OHP was 0.62. A Pearson correlation analysis of quantitative variables was performed, and positive correlation results were obtained in the atopy group between BP and 1-OH-P. Exposure to birch pollen and PM2.5 has a synergistic effect in sensitized individuals. The higher the exposure to pollutants, the higher the synergistic basophil response to the allergen and PM in atopic patients.

Patient management plan for sublingual allergen specific immunotherapy with birch pollen allergen and the maintenance of patient compliance

BACKGROUND:Sublingual allergen-specific immunotherapy (SLIT) inefficiencie is mainly caused by non-compliance with the treatment regimen and premature treatment termination. AIM:Frequency and causes of dropouts determination in children receiving SLIT with birch pollen according to the pre-coseasonal protocol, and approbation of the developed visit-to-visit patient management plan (Plan). MATERIALS AND METHODS:332 cases of treatment with birch pollen in children are analyzed. 290 patients (72.1% boys, aged 518 years (9.82 years [5.93; 14.67]), received SLIT with birch pollen in 20122019. 42 patients received SLIT according to the Plan (69% boys, 8.95 years old [5.38; 11.79]) in 20172019. RESULTS:A low dropout frequency was noted in the 1st and 2nd year of therapy (2 years after the start of treatment, 85% patients continue it). However, only 63.1% complete 3 years of therapy, and 11% 4 years of therapy. It has been shown that experienced allergists have more efficient patient retention. The implementation of the Plan increased patient retention in treatment at the 3rdyear of treatment up to 82.9% (p=0.02). CONCLUSION:The study confirmed the main reasons for the withdrawal of patients from SLIT: doubts about the effectiveness, cost and side effects. A low dropout frequency was shown according to the results of the 1stand 2ndyears of therapy, but only a small proportion of patients (11%) receive 4 or more courses of therapy. Visit-to-visit Plan optimizes the patients management, reduces patients withdrawal from treatment and can be recommended for practical healthcare.

Filling the Antibody Pipeline in Allergy: PIPE Cloning of IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 against the Major Birch Pollen Allergen Bet v 1

Birch pollen allergy is among the most prevalent pollen allergies in Northern and Central Europe. This IgE-mediated disease can be treated with allergen immunotherapy (AIT), which typically gives rise to IgG antibodies inducing tolerance. Although the main mechanisms of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) are known, questions regarding possible Fc-mediated effects of IgG antibodies remain unanswered. This can mainly be attributed to the unavailability of appropriate tools, i.e., well-characterised recombinant antibodies (rAbs). We hereby aimed at providing human rAbs of several classes for mechanistic studies and as possible candidates for passive immunotherapy. We engineered IgE, IgG1, and IgG4 sharing the same variable region against the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 using Polymerase Incomplete Primer Extension (PIPE) cloning. We tested IgE functionality and IgG blocking capabilities using appropriate model cell lines. In vitro studies showed IgE engagement with FcεRI and CD23 and Bet v 1-dependent degranulation. Overall, we hereby present fully functional, human IgE, IgG1, and IgG4 sharing the same variable region against Bet v 1 and showcase possible applications in first mechanistic studies. Furthermore, our IgG antibodies might be useful candidates for passive immunotherapy of birch pollen allergy.

Variability in the Betula pollen concentrations in the atmosphere of six urban areas in Slovakia in 2018

Betula pollen is one of the most important aeroallergens during the spring months in the central European countries. In 2018, pollen monitoring was conducted in six urban areas (Bratislava, Banská Bystrica, Košice, Nitra, Trnava, and Žilina) in Slovakia. Investigations were carried out using a volumetric Hirst-type pollen trap (Burkard). Betula pollen season timing was determined by the 90% method when the start and end of the season were defined as the date when 5% and 95%, respectively of the total pollen sum was reached. The pollen season start date was recorded earliest in Bratislava (April 8th) and latest in Banská Bystrica (April 12th). The highest both seasonal total pollen concentration (7,390 P/m3) and birch pollen allergen risk were found in Banská Bystrica. The shortest pollen season was recorded in Žilina (13 days) and the longest in Košice (25 days). Peak daily pollen concentrations ranged between 1,567 P/m3 in Žilina and 202 P/m3 in Košice.