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Biomedical subjects

C Geller-Bernstein

Publications and source records attributed to C Geller-Bernstein.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Allergies in immigrants.

We studied the influence of environmental factors on allergy disease in immigrants that came to Israel during the last 20 years from A) Ethiopia and B) former Soviet Union. Immigrants who came from Ethiopia had no allergies upon arrival; they suffered from severe parasitic infections and had extremely elevated IgE levels. They got thorough anti parasitic treatment and were gradually integrated in the old timer Israeli population. After 5-10 years from arrival, follow up assessments showed a significant drop in IgE levels while respiratory allergies with positive skin tests Respiratory allergies with positive skin tests) to aero allergens appeared at a prevalence of 11%. Israeli born newborns and children from Ethiopian descent had no stool parasites and their total IgE levels were similar to those of the indigenous population. Immigrants from former Soviet Union who had respiratory allergies upon arrival, showed skin tested hypersensitivity to pollen common in their Russian, homelands while they were not sensitive to the Mediterranean pollen common in Israel. At yearly follow up testing over the first 10 years in Israel, odds for sensitization to Russian pollen decreased while odds for sensitization to Israeli pollen increased significantly. The results of our studies plead the case for the very important role played by the environment in the dynamics of allergy diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Does skin prick test correlate with basophil-associated mite-specific IgE in atopic children?

Skin prick test (SPT), as the standard diagnostic tool for immediate hypersensitivity to aeroallergens, is an expression of IgE-dependent mediator release from dermal mast cells. Though probably involved in the late-phase response, peripheral blood basophils (PBB) don't seem to participate in the immediate hypersensitivity response in the skin. We aimed to assess a possible correlation between the SPT to mites and levels of basophil-associated mite-specific IgE. We sequentially enrolled 15 children with allergic rhinitis and documented class > II mite sensitization, mean age 13 years (range 9.5-18), 11 males, 4 females. Symptoms score was determined using a validated questioner. SPT area under the curve (AUC) for 10 common respiratory allergens was measured in all patients. Heparinized blood after basophil enrichment, was lysed with CHAPS. Determination of allergen-specific and total IgE in serum and cell lysate supernatant was performed using standard commercial kits. Basophil-associated, mite-specific IgE could be reliably determined only in 10 patients with a skin reaction greater than 70 mm2, OR 36 (95% CI 1.8-732, p = 0.02). We found a strong linear correlation (R2 = 0.74, p = 0.001) between mite-specific basophil-associated IgE density (IgE molecules per cell) and the SPT AUC. This finding suggests that skin mast cell precursors and basophil both bind specific IgE at a common site prior to the arrival of mast cells to the skin.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Environment and sensitization to cypress in Israel.

Cypresses are part of the Israeli landscape, as well as they are over most of the Mediterranian area. Pollen dispersal starts in January and peaks in March-April. Assessment of hay-fever patients showed a prevalence of 24%-32% (depending on the region) sensitization to Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) pollen extracts. 13% of all those who are sensitive to Cypress were monosensitized. They are symptomatic from February till April, when 70% of them have rhinitis, 30% also asthma and 18% conjunctivitis. In the monosensitized patients, anti-cypress immunotherapy was successful.

Allergens↗
PubMed1997

Allergenicity of the pollen of Pistacia.

Differences in IgE binding and skin responses to pollen extracts of four species of Pistacia, and some immunochemical characteristics of this pollen were investigated. The incidence of positive SPT among atopic patients varied between 31.5% to the pollen extracts of P. vera and 24.6% to P. palaestina. The antigens are located on the exine of the grains as well as in their cytoplasm. Some of the antigens are common to all four species, whereas others seem to be specific. Cross-reactivity was found among the four species of Pistacia and between them and Schinus terebintifolious. Five conspicuous IgE-binding bands were observed in the immunoblots of the four examined species, the bands of 49, 57, 64, 68, and 79 kDa. The 36-37-kDa band of P. lentiscus and the 60- and 84-kDa bands of P. atlantica and P. vera were also noticeable. As the flowering seasons of Pistacia and Schinus do not overlap, the patients are exposed to such pollen for more than 4 months a year. Apparently, Pistacia pollen is a major source of allergy.

Binding Sites, Antibody↗
PubMed1996

Characterization of a dominant antigenic determinant of Par o I encoded by recombinant DNA.

BACKGROUND: The pollens from Parietaria judaica and Parietaria officinalis are a major cause of pollinosis in Europe. Par o I (13.5 kDa) and Par j I (12 kDa), the major allergens from these species, are highly crossreactive. METHODS: We have immunoscreened a P. judaica pollen cDNA expression library with a rabbit antiserum specific for Par j I and with a serum pool from allergic patients. An immunopositive clone containing a 26 bp insert was further characterized. The insert sequence was determined and the beta-galactosidase fusion protein was partially purified by electroelution from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) gels. RESULTS: This fusion protein specifically and extensively inhibited Par o I and Par j I binding of a rabbit antiserum and of a serum pool obtained from allergic patients. The antifusion-protein antiserum obtained in a rabbit (anti 6a) specifically precipitated radioiodinated purified Par o I in the double antibody radioimmunoassay (DARIA) and competed with antibodies of sera from allergic patients for the binding to Parietaria pollen extract allergens by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We investigated the prevalence of antibody response towards the 6a epitope in patients naturally sensitized to Parietaria. The presence of 6a specific IgE antibodies was assessed in the sera of 33 patients using inhibition assays. All sera had antibodies with this specificity: the extensive percentage of inhibition reached suggested that they dominated individual ab response. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the antibody response induced by natural exposure to the pollen of Parietaria appears to be higly focused on a single linear antigenic determinant of the major allergens which may play a relevant role in the development of clinical allergy. This report is, to our knowledge, the first description of a dominant linear epitope of a major allergen.

Allergens↗
PubMed1996

Antigenicity of the pollen proteins of various cultivars of Olea europaea.

The incidence of positive skin test responses among atopic subjects with suspected respiratory allergy was investigated with commercial and autochthonous pollen extracts of various cultivars of Olea europaea. Pollen was collected from olive trees of well-defined cultivars, extracted, and separated by SDS-PAGE. Immunoblots were used to identify the various IgE-binding proteins of the pollen extracts of the various cultivars. The results revealed six predominant IgE-binding bands, some of which appear in all the cultivars examined. The 18-20-kDa band (Ole e 1) appeared in only eight of the cultivars, but not in the nine others. The presence of specific IgE-binding bands in the various pollen extracts and their correlation with the incidence of positive skin tests are discussed.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗
PubMed1996

Hypersensitivity to pollen of Olea europaea in Israel.

The incidence of skin-tested sensitivity to olive pollen allergens among subjects with suspected atopic respiratory allergy was investigated in various populations of Israelis. This incidence was correlated with the olive cultivars, with the abundance of trees in the patient's neighborhoods, and with the history of exposure of the studied populations to olive pollen. Positive skin reactions to olive pollen, among atopic patients of the Jewish population, is rather high where olive trees are abundant (66%), and lower (29%) where trees are scarce (P < 0.003). Sensitization was significantly lower (P < 0.003) among a population of Israeli atopic Arabs (16%), though these Arabs have lived in an olive-rich area for several generations.

Arabs↗
PubMed1996

Allergy to olive pollen: T-cell response from olive allergic patients is restricted by DR7-DQ2 antigens.

BACKGROUND: We have recently described the association between the IgE antibody response to Ole e I (the major antigen from olive tree pollen) and the DR7-DQ2 haplotype in a Spanish population. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: Due to the linkage disequilibrium between DR7 and DQ2, and thus the difficult distinction between the role of these two antigens in the T-cell activation response, we decided to solve this question by two approaches: 1. The study of another ethnic group, individuals of Arabic origin, with a presumably distinct disequilibrium linkage between DR and DQ antigens. Genomic DNA typing was performed in 46 subjects (allergic and non-allergic) by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and results showed that patients with specific IgE antibodies alpha-Ole e I, were DR7 and/or DQ2. These data show a similar restriction pattern to those previously described for Spanish patients. The phenotypic frequency of DR7 antigen is significantly greater than in the non-allergic population, with a corrected P (Pc) value of 0.03. 2. The analysis of the genetic requirements of Ole e I response, using T-cell lines specific for this antigen. This was first carried out by blocking the proliferative response of these T-cell lines with specific anti-human HLA class II antibodies and then testing the genetic restriction of this response using a panel of histocompatible and histoincompatible Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs). Both experiments corroborate the hypothesis that DR7 and DQ2 are implicated in the recognition of Ole e I.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Histamine enhances granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-6 production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The effect of histamine on the production of cytokines by subpopulations of mononuclear cells was studied. A 3.5-fold increase in the number of myeloid colony-forming units (CFU-C) was observed when bone marrow cells were cultured in the presence of conditioned medium prepared from nonadherent mononuclear cells cultured with 10(-4) M histamine (CM-histamine) compared with phosphate-buffered saline (CM-PBS). Using ELISA and radioimmunoassay kits, histamine was found to enhance the production of GM-CSF (9.6-fold) and IL-6 (8.2-fold) by mononuclear cells but not by nonadherent cells or large granular lymphocytes. Anti-GM-CSF and anti-IL-6 antibodies markedly blocked cytokine activity in CM-PBS, whereas the blocking effect in CM-histamine was moderate, indicating enhanced GM-CSF and IL-6 activity in CM-histamine. No GM-CSF or IL-6 levels could be detected in CM-histamine or CM-PBS prepared from CD3+, CD4+, or CD8+ lymphocytes. Preincubation of CM-histamine with H1 and H2 receptor antagonists resulted in complete blocking of the histamine-enhanced colony-stimulating activity. We conclude that histamine is able to activate human mononuclear cells to generate cytokines such as GM-CSF and IL-6 via H1 and H2 receptors.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1995

Efficacy of the acaricide: acardust for the prevention of asthma and rhinitis due to dust mite allergy, in children.

A double blind, randomized, comparative study versus placebo, was done during 6 months in 32 children, aged 4-12 years, who suffer from either allergic asthma or rhinitis or both, slept in a bedroom rich in dust mite, have well documented allergy solely to house dust mite (H.D.M.), and a condition severe enough to require continuous medication. After thorough cleaning, their bedrooms were sprayed on day 0 and day 90 with the total content of a canister containing either Acardust or Placebo. Rooms were cleaned regularly throughout the study period. Each child completed an individual daily score card (scales from 0-3) for asthma, and rhinitis symptoms, medication taken, and any additional symptoms. Peak flow was recorded twice weekly. All the children were examined every month (at the clinic) when also PFF, FEVI, doctor's and patient's opinion of clinical symptoms were recorded according to the same scale (0-3) and dust samples from child's bedroom were examined for H.D.M. antigen content. At day 0, 90 and 180, total IgE and dust mite specific IgE determination was done. At the end of the study, patient's and doctor's opinion about the spray's efficacy were recorded on a scale from 0-3. The results were in favor of Acardust for asthma, according to patient's opinion (p = 0.001), doctor's opinion (p = 0.04) and individual score cards (p = 0.03), and for nasal secretion (p = 0.01), sneezing and lacrimation (p = 0.02); concurrent medication dropped significantly (p = 0.01) in the Acardust group. No side-effects were reported. We consider Acardust a safe and valuable preventive treatment in H.D.M. allergy.

Allethrins↗
PubMed1994

[Allergic responses to date palm and pecan pollen in Israel].

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) and pecan (Carya illinoensis) trees are commonly planted in Israel for fruit, for shade, or as ornamental plants. Pollen grains of both species are allergenic; however, the extent of exposure to such pollen and the incidence of allergic response have not been studied here. We therefore investigated skin-test responses to pollen extracts of 12 varieties of palm and 9 of pecan in 705 allergic patients living in 3 cities and 19 rural settlements. Sensitivity to the pollen extracts of both species was much higher among residents of rural than of urban communities. Moreover, there was a definite relationship between the abundance of these trees in a region and the incidence of skin responders to their pollen. Sensitivity was frequent in settlements rich in these 2 species, such as those with nearby commercial date or pecan plantations. In general, sensitivity to date pollen extracts was lower than to pecan. However, differences in skin responses to pollen extracts of various clones were substantiated. Air sampling revealed that pollen pollution decreased considerably with distance from the trees. At approximately 100 m from a source concentrations of airborne pollen were low. Since planting of male palm and pecan trees in population centers would increase pollen pollution, it should be avoided.

Demography↗
PubMed1994

Antibodies specific to membrane components of rat mast cells are cross-reacting with human basophils.

Murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have previously been raised by us with specificity to the following plasma membrane components of rat mucosal mast cells (RBL-2H3 subline): (1) the alpha-subunit of the type I Fc epsilon receptor, (Fc epsilon RI); (2) a newly described membrane glycoprotein, distinct from any of the Fc epsilon RI subunits, yet affecting the cell's secretory response to Fc epsilon RI clustering and hence named mast cell functional antigen (MAFA), and (3) a glycolipid, GD1b present in the RBL-2H3 cell's plasma membrane. The cross-reactivity of these mAbs with human basophils (from both allergic and nonallergic children) was now examined by three different protocols: (1) by microscopy (light and dark field) of double stained basophils by toluidine blue and by fluorescein-labeled anti-mouse antibodies as secondary ligands binding to the mAbs; (2) by flow cytometry (using directly labeled mAbs), and (3) by monitoring the binding of the 125I-radiolabeled mAbs. In order to exclude the possibility of the (intact) mAbs binding to the Fc gamma receptors, also present on human basophils, Fab and (Fab')2 fragments derived from the above respective mAbs were employed wherever necessary. The results show that the above described murine mAbs fragments do bind specifically to basophils obtained from allergic and nonallergic children. These antibodies may thus also be employed as tools for studying the human basophils function.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Sensitivity to olea Europaea pollen in different populations in Israel.

Sensitivity to olive pollen was studied (by skin tests) in different Israeli populations suffering from respiratory allergies. The results were compared with aerobiological data, in order to correlate amount of exposure to prevalence of sensitization. It was found that in the Jewish population, sensitivity to olive pollen developed in direct proportion with the number of olive trees in the settlement: 66% where trees density is high, 29% where it is low. In the Arab population however, possibly genetically determined, the sensitization to olive pollen was low (only 14%) even though the density of trees is high.

Allergens↗
PubMed1992

Activation of human eosinophil and neutrophil functions by haematopoietic growth factors: comparisons of IL-1, IL-3, IL-5 and GM-CSF.

We compared the effect of haematopoietic growth factors granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-3, and IL-5 on the functional activation of human eosinophils and neutrophils from the same donor. All four colony-stimulating factors (CSF) enhanced the phagocytosis of Candida albicans by eosinophils and increased staphylococcal, but not Candida, killing. GM-CSF and IL-5 had a profound stimulating effect on eosinophil staphylocidal activity. GM-CSF and IL-3 enhanced the generation of leukotriene C4 (LTC4) induced by calcium ionophore A23187 and the release of arylsulphatase and beta-glucuronidase from specific and small granules of eosinophils. In contrast, IL-1 and IL-5 had no effect on degranulation. GM-CSF and IL-1 enhanced phagocytosis of C. albicans by neutrophils, and GM-CSF stimulated degranulation and the release of the enzymes beta-glucuronidase and arylsulphatase from neutrophils while IL-1 stimulated the release of arylsulphatase only. This study indicates that the eosinophil-active colony-stimulating factors can markedly enhance the host defence function of the eosinophil and even make it the equal of the neutrophil in staphylocidal activity. The CSF-activated eosinophil, however, may cause inappropriate inflammation and normal tissue damage.

Animals↗