Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Volume:10 Issue: 1, Mar 2011

Since 20th century, when allergy was defined, an ongoing attempt for discovering the mechanisms underlying it and its treatment began. Defining allergens as well as cells such as regulatory T-cells and characterizing the antibodies involved in the pathogenesis (including blocking antibodies) have helped very much towards a better understanding of the immunologic process. However, Allergen specific immunotherapy (SIT), as a specific curative treatment for allergy also dates back to the beginning of the previous century and has progressed considerably during these years. SIT similar to natural immunomodulation, directs the immune response towards tolerance. New strategies in this field, such as using recombinant allergens, T- and B-cell-epitope-containing peptides, and DNA vaccination have shown promising results. Sublingual immunotherapy, although not yet FDA-approved, as an alternative strategy in SIT has demonstrated efficacy as well as safety. Furthermore, allergen extracts, their standardization and their modification have also been the focus of much research. Undoubtedly, specific immunotherapy is proven to be an efficacious method to treat allergy, so its cost-effectiveness should be estimated in developing countries in order to include it in the country's health priorities. Informing physicians about the new anti-vaccination movement is also crucial.

Coronary atherosclerotic disease is one of the most endangering health disorder worldwide. This study was designed to investigate the correlation between HLA-DR1 alleles and circulating Th1/Th2 type cytokines in coronary atherosclerosis. By Elisa, Th1/Th2 type cytokines were determined in serum samples of 31 subjects with unstable angina, 27 subjects with chronic stable angina and 24 individuals as normal control. By SSP-PCR, more than 100 alleles of HLA-DRB1 were typed in 24 subjects who had skewed serum levels of Th1/Th2 type cytokines. Lipid profiles were determined by the routine methods of clinical laboratory in all subjects. The mean serum concentration of IL-10 in normal control subjects was higher in comparison to the patient groups.0.33±0.59 pg/ml versus 0.064±0.3 pg/ml in unstable angina pectoris group (p<0.028) and 0.22±0.6 pg/ml in chronic stable subjects. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups in serum levels of other desired cytokines (IFN-, IL-4). 33.33% of normal control subjects were HLA-DR16 positive whereas none of the subjects with chronic stable angina or individuals with unstable angina pectoris was positive for this antigen. The mean concentration of serum LDL-cholesterol in normal control group was high 142.046±35.40 (pg/ml).This preliminary study shows that the atherogenic effect of the LDL- cholesterol may be dampened by HDL-cholesterol through anti inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and HLA-DR16, a phenomenon interpretable via immunological homunculus theory.

Despite preliminary evidence, the role of probiotic and synbiotic in treatment of the atopic dermatitis has shown varying results. We aimed to evaluate whether synbiotic supplementation decrease severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) in childhood. In a randomized double blind-placebo controlled trial, we evaluated the synbiotic supplementation efficiency on the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Infants aged 1-36 months with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis were randomized (n=41) and received either synbiotic (probiotic plus prebiotic) (n=20) or placebo (n=21) daily as a powder for two months. Emollient (Eucerin) and topical corticosteroid (Hydrocortisone) were permitted. Children were scored for severity of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD). Also allergen Skin Prick Tests (SPT), IgE blood level and eosinophil count were measured at first visit. Patient's SCORAD were reevaluated at the end of intervention. We followed 36 out of 41 subjects for two months (drop out rate = 9%). In the whole group, the mean Total SCORAD (at base line 40.93) decreased by 56% (p=0.00). The mean Objective SCORAD (at base line 31.29) decreased by 53% (p=0.00). There was no significant difference in the mean decrease of total SCORAD between placebo (22.3) and synbiotic groups (24.2). There was also no difference between two intervention groups in the mean decrease of total SCORAD regarding to different demographic, clinical and para clinical subgroups. This study could not confirm synbiotic as an effective treatment for childhood atopic dermatitis and further studies are needed. These findings challenge the role of synbiotics in the treatment of childhood atopic dermatitis.

The aim of the current study is to investigate hearing function in patients with allergic rhinitis.Fifty-eight patients with positive skin prick test (Group 1) (116 ears) and 31 subjects with negative skin prick test (62 ears) as group 2 were included. Pure tone audiometry at 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 Hz and immittance measures, including tympanometry and acoustic reflex tests, were performed in both groups.There was statistically significant difference between pure-tone threshold of the group 1 and group 2 at 8000 Hz (p< 0.05).Based on our study, the patients with allergic rhinitis had better hearing than the control group at 8000 Hz.

The purpose of this study was to investigate any association between IgA deficiency (IgAD) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) among Iranian children.This case-control study was carried out on 83 children who were diagnosed as JRA according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria; Patients were admitted at the rheumatology clinic of Children's Medical Center, (Tehran). Serum immunoglobulins concentrations were determined by nephelometry method. Control group was 112 healthy children who were matched for age and gender. Informed consent obtained from all parents.Selective IgA deficiency (sIgAD) was found only in a boy (1.2%) among JRA children; however, partial IgA deficiency was found in 6(7.1%) of patients with JRA and in 12(10.7%) of control subjects, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.46). Immunoglobulins levels in patients with JRA (IgM: 126.7±57.2, IgG: 1182.3±351 and IgA:169.3±98) were significantly higher than their controls (IgM: 104±52, IgG:802±220 and IgA: 94.6±47) (p<0.05). Patients with growth failure had higher IgM, IgG and IgA levels in comparison with patients without growth failure; however, this difference was significant about IgM and IgG levels (p<0.05).In contrast to other similar studies, the number of IgAD did not differ significantly between JRA patients and their control counterpart; this might be partly due to the high rate of consanguineous marriages in Iran that resulted in increased prevalence of clinically undiagnosed partial IgAD in general population. Hence, future epidemiological studies are warranted to make it clear.

Shiga toxin (Stx) is the principal virulence factor of Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC), a food-born pathogen associated disease with uncomplicated diarrhea or the hemolytic-uremic syndrome. In this study, rabbit polyclonal anti recombinant A, B subunits of Shiga toxin and holotoxin antisera were raised and employed for immunological purpose. By immunoblotting, these antisera recognized respective subunit and the holotoxin antiserum recognized both subunits, equally. The raised antisera could also neutralize the cytotoxicity of the shiga toxin on vero cells. The neutralizing ability of the prepared sera was compared for different subunits. The neutralization of toxicity was observed by incubation of raised sera with the rStx or Shiga toxin from wild type strains. The inhibition of cell toxicity was shown by anti-A, anit-B and anti-AB antisera, separately. It was shown that anti-A antibody, more significantly recognized Stx producing strains, comparing to anti-B antibody. These sera from immunized rabbits were also used as specific antibodies in Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA) for detection of Shiga toxin. It was demonstrated that the raised antibodies especially antibody against A subunit could be a useful tool for immunological diagnosis of STEC induced infection.

Patients with primary antibody deficiencies (PAD) are susceptible to recurrent and chronic infections and a variety of complications. This study was performed to assess quality of life (QoL) of PAD patients who were under long term treatment and regular follow-up.Thirty six adults with proved diagnosis of PAD, who had received regular intravenous immunoglobulin replacement therapy, were enrolled in this study. The QoL of selected PAD patients was measured by Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form (SF-36) Health Survey questionnaire.The patients with PAD showed significantly reduced scores in physical component in comparison with healthy age-sex matched control subjects (60.2±20.1 vs. 85.5±4.7, P<0.001). Mental component score was also significantly decreased in the patient's group (59.8±19.5 vs. 72.3±3.4, P=0.002). There was a reverse association between SF-36 scores and number of infections episodes (r=-0.73 P=0.003). The patients with long delay diagnosis showed significantly lower SF-36 scores (r=-0.62, P=0.003).The patients with PAD who were diagnosed timely and managed appropriately seem to have lower complications and better QoL. However, the patients with severe phenotypes and long delay in diagnosis showed lower QoL, even in medical management.

The p75 pan-neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) plays a pivotal role in linking the immune system with the nervous system. p75NTR is required for the development of several characteristic features of allergic asthma. Also p75NTR upregulated by reactive Schwann cells after peripheral nerve injury. Moreover p75NTR and RhoA play a critical role in the regulation of apoptosis. To determine whether the designed siRNA for p75NTR can downregulates both p75NTR and Rho-A at RNA level in rats and, if so, at what magnitude, Schwann cell apoptosis occurs. Isolation and purification of neonate Schwann cells were prepared from rat sciatic nerve. Specific siRNA duplex was designed for p75NTR. To investigate the role of siRNA-mediated knockdown of p75NTR, the gene expression in p75NTR was examined with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Real-Time RT-PCR. Schwann cell apoptosis was performed by Annexin and TUNEL assays after 24 hours. Following p75NTR Transfection siRNA, p75NTR gene, compared with control, was downregulated by 73%. Without using siRNA for Rho-A, Rho-A gene was downregulated by 89% at the same time. Based on Annexin assay, apoptosis of Schwann cells occurred in siRNA+NGF and control+NGF by 16.76%±2.27 and 92.39%±1.82, respectively. TUNEL data showed that apoptosis of Schwann cells occurred in siRNA and control by 12.91%±6.39 and 78.55%±11.85, respectively. Thus, p75-siRNA downregulated both p75NTR and Rho-A at RNA level in rats and showed a role on decreased cell apoptosis compared to the controls.

Emotional factors and a recurrent psychosomatic environment, have been implicated in the evolution of atopic dermatitis. These, in turn, affect the disease. This study was under taken to evaluate the functioning of families with a child that has atopic dermatitis without skin symptoms and the parent's perceptions of their child's disease.Semi-quantitative and cross-sectional study in which questionnaires were applied: one to study family functioning (Espejel et al. scale) and the second to determine aspects of parental perception of their child's atopic dermatitis. Pearson's correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the categories of the Family Function Scale.The most affected categories of family functioning were authority, handling of disruptive conduct, communication, and negative affect. The most significant positive correlations between the categories of family functioning were: authority and support, r=0.867, p<.001; disruptive conduct and communication, r=0.798, p<.001; and support and communication, r=0.731, p<.001. Of the parents, 66.4% thought that the pharmacotherapy used for their child's atopic dermatitis was not effective, and 33.3% of parents stated that the disease had affected their child's daily activities.In families of children with atopic dermatitis, various family environment factors facilitate the recurrence of symptoms even when no cutaneous lesions have been found on the child. The identification and use of family resources to face this disease are aspects that should be taken into consideration during the psychotherapeutic management of these families, putting emphasis on the most affected functional categories of these families in a strategy that should be implanted in a multi-disciplinary context.