C Daegelmann | PubMed Health

PubMed2006

Association of neuropeptides with Th1/Th2 balance and allergic sensitization in children.

BACKGROUND: Among neurogenic factors, the neuropeptides have an important regulatory influence on immune system activity and may lead to allergic sensitization. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship of the neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), somatostatin (SOM) and substance P (SP) on modulation of Th1/Th2 balance and allergic sensitization in children. METHODS: Within the LISAplus (Life style-Immune system-Allergy) study, blood samples of 321 six-year-old children were analysed for concentration of neuropeptides, Th1 and Th2 cytokines, transcription factors for T cell regulation and suppressors of cytokine signalling. In addition, samples were screened for specific IgE against inhalant and food allergens. RESULTS: Children with high SOM values showed a Th2 polarization and a reduced expression of FOXP3, the marker for regulatory T cells. High (VIP) levels correlated inversely with the expression of T cell transcription factors (Tbet and SOCS3). In contrast, elevated levels of SP were associated with reduced GATA3 and SOCS3 expression and with increased IFN-gamma concentrations. Allergic sensitization was more prevalent in children with higher SOM and VIP concentrations but not associated with SP levels. CONCLUSION: Our data reveal an association between neuropeptides and modulatory effects on immune cells in vivo, especially on Th1/Th2 balance with a correlation to allergic sensitization in children. We suggest that elevated SOM and VIP concentrations and the inducing factors should be considered as allergy risk factors.

Biomarkers↗

PubMed2004

Inflammatory activity in river-water samples.

Contamination of the urban aquatic environment with chemical and biological substances could have a long-term impact on human health because these substances threaten the integrity of the urban ecosystem and the availability of high-quality water for recreation and consumption. In light of this, the aim of the present study was to assess the potential immunological effects of water sampled at various sites along the River Saale near the city of Halle (in the state of Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany). For the control, Ficoll-separated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy donors were cultured for 24 h in either filter-sterilized river water or drinking-water samples. Cell vitality was assessed using the MTT bioassay. Cytokines in culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. Endotoxin concentrations in the water samples were assessed by the limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) test. River water and drinking water showed comparably weak cytotoxic effects on PBMC. Drinking water did not exert any effect on cytokine secretion. In contrast, all river-water samples triggered secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, as shown for TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6. Free endotoxin was detected in all river-water samples. However, the highest inflammatory activity regarding induction of all three cytokines, as well as the highest endotoxin content as determined by LAL, was found in a water sample taken immediately downstream of a wastewater treatment plant. Inhibition studies using the monoclonal anti-CD14 antibody biG14, which is known to suppress binding of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to CD14 via binding CD14 itself, revealed that free endotoxin was indeed the major inducer of proinflammatory cytokines in the river-water samples. Taken together, the results suggest that the microorganism-derived endotoxin is a widely distributed contaminant in the urban aquatic environment that should be considered in routine monitoring and in assessing ecosystem and human health.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗