Biologic Responses to House Dust Mite Exposure in the Environmental Exposure Unit

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa that can be modeled using Controlled Allergen Exposure Facilities (CACF). Recently, we clinically validated the house dust mite (HDM) Environmental Exposure Unit (EEU) facility. In the current study, we aimed to assess biological responses in the blood following HDM exposure in the HDM-EEU.Methods: Fifty-five participants passed a screening visit, where they provided consent and completed a skin prick test (SPT), then attended a modest or higher HDM exposure session. Baseline and post-exposure blood samples were collected. Complete blood counts with differentials were measured, and isolated serum was used to determine Dermatophagoides farinae- and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus-specific IgE (sIgE) and cytokine concentrations (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, TNF-α).Results: HDM-allergic participants had significantly greater SPT wheal sizes than healthy controls. sIgE concentrations were significantly greater in allergic participants, with a strong correlation between Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Serum eosinophil counts were significantly decreased post-exposure for allergic participants. White blood cell, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts were significantly increased for both allergic and non-allergic participants post-exposure. Serum IL-13 concentrations were significantly reduced post-exposure in allergics while TNF-α was significantly reduced in non-allergics.Conclusion: The HDM-EEU is a useful model for investigating biologic mechanisms of HDM-induced AR. Allergic participants produced measurable biological changes compared to healthy controls following allergen exposure, specifically with serum expression of eosinophils and related markers, namely IL-5, which promotes the proliferation and differentiation of eosinophils, and IL-13, a cytokine released by eosinophils. The exact mechanisms at play require further investigation.

TGF-β1 Drives Inflammatory Th Cell But Not Treg Cell Compartment Upon Allergen Exposure

TGF-β1 is known to have a pro-inflammatory impact by inducing Th9 and Th17 cells, while it also induces anti-inflammatory Treg cells (Tregs). In the context of allergic airway inflammation (AAI) its dual role can be of critical importance in influencing the outcome of the disease. Here we demonstrate that TGF-β is a major player in AAI by driving effector T cells, while Tregs differentiate independently. Induction of experimental AAI and airway hyperreactivity in a mouse model with inducible genetic ablation of the gene encoding for TGFβ-receptor 2 (Tgfbr2) on CD4+T cells significantly reduced the disease phenotype. Further, it blocked the induction of pro-inflammatory T cell frequencies (Th2, Th9, Th17), but increased Treg cells. To translate these findings into a human clinically relevant context, Th2, Th9 and Treg cells were quantified both locally in induced sputum and systemically in blood of allergic rhinitis and asthma patients with or without allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT). Natural allergen exposure induced local and systemic Th2, Th9, and reduced Tregs cells, while therapeutic allergen exposure by AIT suppressed Th2 and Th9 cell frequencies along with TGF-β and IL-9 secretion. Altogether, these findings support that neutralization of TGF-β represents a viable therapeutic option in allergy and asthma, not posing the risk of immune dysregulation by impacting Tregs cells.

Analytical study of inflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulin expression following dust mite allergen exposure in pregnant mice

Background Allergen tolerability due to allergic immune reactions could be transferred through the placenta from maternal to fetal circulation. Hence, a further investigation regarding the tolerability following mite allergen exposures is desirable. Objective To evaluate various doses of mite allergens and cytokines associated with Th1, Th2, and Treg cells with regards to possible allergic tolerance in neonatal mice. Methods This study used an experimental design with a post-test only control group, to assess the effect of mite allergens on pregnant BALB/C mice and their newborns. In this study female BALB/C mice aged 10 weeks were mated with male mice, then pregnant BALB/C mice were exposed to allergens at 4 weeks gestation. During pregnancy, pregnant females’ blood specimens were taken to measure cytokines and immunoglobulins. Meanwhile, neonatal blood specimens were taken at 2 weeks postnatally to measure cytokines and immunoglobulins. Blood specimens from pregnant BALB/C mice and their newborns were evaluated using ELISA kits for the following cytokines: interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, TGF-β1, as well as immunoglobulins (Ig)G-1, IgG-2a, IgG-2b, IgG3 subclass, IgM, IgA, and IgE. The case group was the group that received high and low doses of exposure, while the control group did not get exposure. Results In response to low dose mite allergen exposure, there were significant increases of IL-2, IFN-y, and IL-4, IL-5, and TGF-β1 in mothers and neonates. Pregnant mices that received high doses of allergens, however, had significant increases in IL-5 and TGF-B1; results were likewise for their offspring. Mothers and neonates, had significantly increased expression of IgG subclasses after a low dose of dust mite allergen. Following a ten-fold increase in allergen dose, the mothers showed significant increases in IgA, IgM, IgE, and IgG subclasses, whereas in neonatal mice, those immunoglobulin levels were not significantly different from control mice. Conclusion Exposure to mite allergens can trigger regulatory functions of Th1, Th2, and Tregs cells to activate their cytokines, except IL-10. The regulatory function of Tregs is dominated by TGFβ in maternal and neonatal mice, at low and high doses. Th1 cytokines express cytokines during exposure only to low-dose allergens and Th2 cells regulate IL-5 levels to both low- and high-dose allergens.

Allergic Diseases: A Comprehensive Review on Risk Factors, Immunological Mechanisms, Link with COVID-19, Potential Treatments, and Role of Allergen Bioinformatics

The prevalence of allergic diseases is regarded as one of the key challenges in health worldwide. Although the precise mechanisms underlying this rapid increase in prevalence are unknown, emerging evidence suggests that genetic and environmental factors play a significant role. The immune system, microbiota, viruses, and bacteria have all been linked to the onset of allergy disorders in recent years. Avoiding allergen exposure is the best treatment option; however, steroids, antihistamines, and other symptom-relieving drugs are also used. Allergen bioinformatics encompasses both computational tools/methods and allergen-related data resources for managing, archiving, and analyzing allergological data. This study highlights allergy-promoting mechanisms, algorithms, and concepts in allergen bioinformatics, as well as major areas for future research in the field of allergology.

COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY OF SHUNTHYAADI SNEHA YOGA NASYA OVER KSHAVATHU ROGA W.S.R. TO ALLERGIC RHINITIS BASED ON SNEHA MEDIA

Shunthyaadi Sneha Yoga which is a Sneha Kalpana developed with Ghrita and Taila Paka method containing ingredients which are Kshavathu hara and indicated specifically in Kshavathu Roga. In Ayurveda, Kshavathu is a symptom of many diseases and at the same time a separate disease entity. The literal meaning of Kshavathu is sneezing and is the main symptom of Allergic Rhinitis and both share similar etiological factors. Allergic rhinitis is an atopic disease characterised by symptoms of nasal congestion, clear rhinorrhea, sneezing, postnasal drip, and nasal pruritis. It is an inflammatory disorder of the nasal mucosa induced by allergen exposure triggering IgE- mediated inflammation. Around 20–30 % of the Indian population suffers from allergic rhinitis and that 15 % develop asthma. In the present study, an attempt has been made to compare the efficacy of Shunthyaadi Taila Nasya and Shunthyaadi Ghrita Nasya designed in two groups comprising fifteen patients each and analysed with parametric and non-parametric tests. Both the groups showed remarkable results in the management of Kshavathu. Keywords: Kshavathu, Shunthyaadi Sneha Yoga, Shunthyaadi Taila, Shunthyaadi Ghrita, Nasya,

Increased corn oil intake during an allergy sensitization period aggravates food allergy severity after oral allergen exposure

Egg white (EW) allergy model mice underwent 15-day oral immunotherapy (OIT) using diets with different corn-oil content and 1% EW. After OIT, mortality following an oral food challenge in OIT groups were approximately 90%. However, in previous studies, mortality was 0%. This phenomenon is to be associated with increased corn-oil intake during allergy sensitization and allergen exposure for 2 weeks.