Th. W. van den Akker

Contact allergy to spices

A group of 103 patients suspected of contact allergy was tested with the European standard series, wood tars and spices; paprika, cinnamon, laurel, celery seed, nutmeg, curry, black pepper, cloves, while pepper, coriander, cacao and garlic. 32 patients (Group I) were selected on the basis of positive tests to one or more of possible indicators for allergy to spices: colophony, balsam of Peru, fragrance‐mix and/or wood tars. 71 patients (Group II) showed no response to these indicators. In Group I (n= 32) a statistically significantly higher % of patients (47%) showed positive reactions to 1 or more spices, compared with 15% in Group II (N= 71). Among the spices, the highest numbers of reactions were found to nutmeg (28%), paprika (19%) and cloves (12%) in the indicator‐positive Group I. Fragrance‐mix turned out to be a particularly important indicator allergen, especially for paprika, nutmeg and cloves. The contact allergy in 11 out of 32 (Group I) and 7 out of 25 patch‐tested patients (recruited from Group II) appeared to be‐directed mainly against the ether‐extractable volatile fractions of the spices.

Cytogenetic findings in mouse multiple myeloma and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia

Multiple myeloma (MM) and Waldenstroms macroglobulinemia-like lymphoma (MW) appear spontaneously in C57BL/KaLwRij mice at a frequency of 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively. They can readily be propagated by intravenous transfer of mainly bone marrow or spleen cells into syngeneic recipients. Previous studies demonstrated that these mouse malignant monoclonal gammopathies (MMG) show clinical and biologic features that closely resemble those of the corresponding human diseases and thus could be used as experimental models. We report on cytogenetic analysis of two mouse MW and five MM in vivo cell lines of the 5TMM series propagated in syngeneic mice. These studies demonstrated clonal abnormalities in all cell lines, hyperdiploid karyotype in both MW and one MM lines, and hypotriploidy, hypertriploidy, or hypotetraploidy in the other lines. Structural abnormalities of chromosome 15 were observed in all MM lines. In five MM lines, frequent rearrangements were also found for chromosome numbers 1, 2, 5, and 12. A single chromosomal abnormality, as found in induced mouse plasmacytomas and resembling Burkitt lymphoma, was not found in mouse MM and MW. It was concluded that spontaneously originating C57BL MM of the 5T series is a better model for human MM than pristane-induced BALB/c or NZB plasmacytoma.

The influence of t cells on homogeneous immunoglobulins in sera of athymic nude mice during aging

In this study, results are presented which are in agreement with predictions made on basis of the ‘three‐Stage hypothesis’ on the development of benign monoclonal gammapathy (BMG). In a T‐cell depletion model, C57BL/Ka nude mice were shown to develop single and multiple homogeneous immunoglobulins (H‐Ig) during aging in the highest frequencies known so far. Ninety percent of the C57BL/Ka nude mice displayed one or more H‐Ig at 12 months of age. In a T‐cell supplementation model, infusion of corticosteroid resistant T cells into 9‐month‐old BALB/c nude mice resulted in a decrease in the Frequency of H‐Ig from 43% at 9 months down to 20% at 15 months of age. In contrast, the frequency of H‐Ig in the control group increased from 40% at 9 months up in 68% at 12 months. The results show that normally functioning T cells are essential for the generation of a normal, heterogeneous Ig spectrum; they further support the validity of the three‐stage hypothesis with regard to the role of an impairment of the T immune system in the pathogenesis of BMG.

Wood tars allergy, cross-sensitization and coal tar

In a population of 1883 patients tested for allergic contact dermatitis (1985–1988), a prevalence of 5.4%(103 cases) was seen for wood tars (ICDRG allergen, 12% pet.) sensitization. In this group (n=103), retrospectively, a combined allergy was seen to wood tars and fragrance mix in 43% and to wood tars and balsam of Peru in 31%. A combined allergy to wood tars and coal tar was seen in 19 patients (18.5%); 14 to liquor carbonis detergens (LCD), 8 to lianthral and 3 to both LCD and lianthral. Within the group with wood tars allergy (n=103), a minority (n= 37) had a history of atopic dermatitis. Comparison of the test results in atopic and non‐atopic subgroups (within the group of 103) revealed a higher incidence of combined wood tars‐fragrance mix allergy in the atopic group (n= 37). In this group, a lower incidence of combined wood tars‐coal tar sensitization was seen in comparison with the non‐atopic group (n= 66). The authors believe that combined “wood tars‐coal tar” allergy could be the consequence of cross‐sensitization rather than due to long‐term previous topical treatment with tar derivatives. The high% of cross‐allergy between wood tars and fragrance mix emphasizes the role of wood tars as an important indicator allergen in perfume allergy.

Sensitization to fragrance materials in Indonesian cosmetics

2 different groups of patients were patch tested with 2 test series (A arid B) containing extracts of fragrance raw materials. traditionally used in Indonesian cosmetics, Series A consisted of diluted extracts of commercially available Indonesian fragrances. Series B consisted of extracts prepared in mir department from corresponding indigenous flowers and fruits. Group I consisted of 32 patients positive lo fragrance‐mix, of whom S (25%) had positive tests to 1 or more of the different extracts of fragrance raw materials. Reactions were observed to extracts of: Rosa hybrida Hort (7); Canangium odoratum Baill (5); Citrus aurantifolia Swingle(4); Jasminum sumbac Ait (2). 6 of the S patients, had reactions to 1 or more of the components of fragrance‐mix: oakmoss (3); cinnamic alcohol (2). isoeugenol (1); cinnamic aldehyde (1) and geraniol (1). Group 2 consisted of 1 59 patients patch tested on suspicion of contact dermatitis, who were fragrance‐mix negative. Only 2 (1.2%) had a positive patch test to the extracts of fragrance raw materials. Specimens taken (as is) from the flowers and citrus fruits (being the basic sources of the fragrance raw materials) were less antigenic. The use of additional test series in Indonesia to detect allergy to traditional cosmetics and perfumes merits further investigation.

Homogeneous Ig Components in Serum and Secretions of Aging C57Bl/Kalwrij Mice

Abstract The isotype distribution of homogeneous immunoglobulin components (H-Ig) which frequently occur in sera of C57BL mice with aging showed a lower frequency of IgA H-Ig in mice than in aging humans. Efficient clearance of polymeric murine IgA in contrast to monomeric human IgA from the serum and transfer to external secretions might be the underlying cause of this discrepancy. Therefore, milk and serum from 40 mice (12 to 15 months of age) were investigated for the presence of H-Ig. These were found in 70% and 68% of the milk and serum samples, respectively. In general, H-Ig of the IgM isotype were found in serum but not in milk. IgG H-Ig were present in both serum and milk. H-Ig of the IgA isotype were present mainly in the milk only and infrequently in the serum only. A pilot study to look for IgA H-Ig in the serum and the bile from 44 more than two-year-old mice revealed the presence of IgA H-Ig in both materials in 38% and in the serum only in 5%; there was no mouse showing H-Ig of the IgA isotype in the bile only. These results indicate that: 1) the possibility of missing some mouse IgA H-Ig because of their potential rapid clearance from the serum is highly unlikely; 2) the frequency of H-Ig of the IgA isotype inmice can reach that of men at a very old age; 3) the clearance of the polymeric mouse IgA from the circulation takes place mainly through the hepatobiliary system and does not occur or is minimal via the mammary glands; 4) a spontaneous local monoclonal proliferation of IgA secreting cells can take place in the secretory immune system.

Increased Sensitivity of Detection of Homogeneous Immunoglobulins in Murine B-Cell Proliferative Disorders with Special Emphasis on the IgA Isotype

Abstract This study demonstrates that the modified combination of agar electrophoresis (Wieme), immunoelectrophoresis and immunofixation leads to an increased sensitivity of detection of H-lg in mice with B-cell proliferative disorders, thereby increasing the value of H-lg as a biomarker for these conditions. This modification proved to be essential for the detection of H-lg of the IgA isotype.

Inhibition of Murine Suppressor T Cell Development by 2′-Deoxyguanosine in Vivo

Antigen-induced human suppressor T cell activity can be abrogated by micromolar concentrations of 2′-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) in vitro (1). In contrast, non-proliferative helper T cell activity and the differentiation and proliferation of the precursor B lymphocytes into IgM-producing antibody-forming cells have a more than 1,000-fold higher resistance to dGuo. The in vivo development of murine suppressor T cells involved in antibody formation can also be inhibited by dGuo (2). We investigated the effect of dGuo treatment upon the antigen-induced suppressor T cell activity, which normally arises in mice after intravenous (iv) administration of irradiated allogeneic cells (3).