Manuela Bruder

Correlation of IL-31 serum levels with severity of atopic dermatitis

wheat-sensitized patients appears not to be helpful. However, our study suggests that for some patients with suspected wheat allergy without increased wheat-specific IgE levels, the determination of v-5 gliadin–specific IgE levels might be helpful in detecting sensitization to water-insoluble wheat proteins. Importantly, additional studies are necessary to identify the major allergens involved in food allergy to wheat proteins. Kirsten Beyer, MD Danna Chung, MD Gabriele Schulz Michelle Mishoe Bodo Niggemann, MD Ulrich Wahn, MD Hugh A. Sampson, MD From the Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Immunology, University Children’s Hospital Charité, Berlin, Germany; and the Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology and the Jaffe Food Allergy Research Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. E-mail: kirsten.beyer@charite.de. Supported by institutional funding. Reagents and ImmunoCAPs were provided by Phadia (Freiburg, Germany, and Uppsala, Sweden). Disclosure of potential conflict of interest: K. Beyer has received research support from the European Union, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, Phadia, and the Paul Ehrlich Institute. H. A. Sampson has received research support from Phadia.

Circulating levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor correlate with disease severity in the intrinsic type of atopic dermatitis

Background:  Recent studies have shed light on the complex regulation of genetic, environmental, immunologic and pharmacologic factors, which contribute to the development of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, it is still unclear to which extent neuroimmune mediators have a role in AD.

Differential up-regulation of neurotrophin receptors and functional activity of neurotrophins on peripheral blood eosinophils of patients with allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and nonatopic subjects.

Background Recent studies suggest that neurotrophins have a pivotal role in neuroimmune interactions. Indeed, in contrast to nonatopic subjects (NA), neurotrophins have been shown to be increased in atopic diseases such as allergic rhinitis (AR) and atopic dermatitis (AD).

Modulation of neurotrophin and neurotrophin receptor expression in nasal mucosa after nasal allergen provocation in allergic rhinitis.

Background:  Patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) feature both allergic airway inflammation and a hyperresponsiveness to nonspecific stimuli which is partly neuronally controlled. Still, it is unclear whether or not neurotrophins are involved in airway pathophysiology of AR and in nasobronchial interaction.

Critical involvement of IL-12 in IFN-γ induction by calcineurin antagonists in activated human lymphocytes

Calcineurin antagonists are known as potent immunosuppressants working particularly on T cells by virtue of their capacity to block nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) activation and translocation to the nucleus. In addition to interleukin (IL)‐2 suppression, T helper cell type 1 (Th1) as well as Th2 cytokine transcription is blocked by calcineurin antagonists. Here, we show that calcineurin antagonists such as cyclosporin A (CsA) or tacrolimus can markedly enhance the production of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) by human T cells. This increased IFN‐γ production is dependent on T cell receptor (TCR) and CD28 signaling as well as on the presence of IL‐12. IL‐27, which could mimic the effect of IL‐12, was however less potent in inducing IFN‐γ production in the presence of CsA and TCR stimulation. Other cytokines such as IL‐23, IL‐18, IL‐2, or the Th2‐related cytokine IL‐4 are not able to support a calcineurin antagonist‐dependent up‐regulation of IFN‐γ. CsA‐dependent IFN‐γ production is observable in therapeutic concentrations. The effect is independent of IL‐10 or IL‐4, as addition of these cytokines could not inhibit the CsA‐induced IFN‐γ production. The effect of calcineurin antagonists is associated with an increased c‐fos expression and DNA‐binding activity of the transcription factor activated protein‐1 but not with increased DNA‐binding activity of T‐bet. Our study further supports the relevance of known calcineurin activities other than NFAT activation. The presented data may help to explain why concomitant infections (resulting in increased IL‐12 expression) under therapy with calcineurin antagonists often have a negative impact on the activity of the underlying disease (e.g., autoimmune disease).

Eosinophil granulocytes: functional differences of a new isolation kit compared to the isolation with anti‐CD16‐conjugated MicroBeads

Background/purpose:  Using a new eosinophil isolation kit, we were not able to confirm our previous findings of a delayed apoptosis of eosinophils in atopic dermatitis. Thus, we investigated whether this new isolation kit modulates the functional activity of eosinophils.