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Biomedical subjects

M Toda

Publications and source records attributed to M Toda.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Compositional and functional changes of pulmonary surfactant in a guinea-pig model of chronic asthma.

Recent studies have found that severe surfactant dysfunction occurs during an asthma attack, but the changes in surfactant in a guinea-pig model of chronic asthma have not been studied. We therefore analysed the surfactant recovered from guinea-pigs after repeated inhalation of ovalbumin to see if the surfactant recovered from chronic asthmatic lungs would be intrinsically altered. Guinea pigs immunized through repeated inhalation of aerosolized ovalbumin (OA) were exposed to the antigen once a week for a month. Twenty-four hours after the last challenge the alveolar wash was recovered. We calculated saturated phosphatidylcholine (Sat-PC) and total protein (TP) pool sizes in alveolar spaces. Surfactant subtype conversion of large aggregate surfactant (LA) to small aggregate surfactant was studied in vitro by means of the surface area cycling technique. The phospholipid composition of LA was analysed by thin layer chromatography and the surface activity of LA was also determined. We found decreased surfactant pool sizes, decreased ratio of Sat-PC to TP in alveolar lavages in asthma groups, and surface activity of the surfactant recovered from asthmatic lungs to be inferior to that of the controls. Accelerated surfactant subtype conversion in vitro was also noted in the lungs of asthmatic animal models. In addition, the changes in phospholipid compositions which were similar to the pattern of acute lung injury suggested that alveolar inflammation might be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic asthma. These results indicate that surfactant is intrinsically abnormal in chronically asthmatic lungs.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2001

Phase-matched air ultrasonic transducers using corrugated PVDF film with half wavelength depth.

A new type of large area PVDF film air transducer is proposed. The transducer features a high power output and a sharp beam angle. Conventionally known curved length mode resonators with two clamps at both ends have a resonance frequency determined by the curvature. In the present work, PVDF was formed into alternating concave and convex multiple curved sections, eliminating clamps, i.e., a periodic corrugation structure using a single PVDF film. Each convex and concave section has a common resonance frequency. A common excitation voltage induces vibration for each section, and the vibration direction is normal to the film surface. The vibration phase of convex section is shifted 180 degrees from the concave section. These waves add constructively to form a strong acoustic beam when corrugation height is approximately one-half of the wavelength. The corrugation height controls propagation path difference, canceling excitation phase difference. The design principle based on a uniform vibration mode is presented. Experimental investigations using 8.8 x 2.5-, 10 x 5-, and 20 x 20-cm2 transducers are presented. Side lobes unique to this corrugation structure have been observed. A theoretical analysis of the side lobes is also presented. According to the theory, choosing the corrugation height appropriately will reduce side lobes to -15 dB with regard to the main lobe, and the observed side lobe height agreed with the theoretical result.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Inhibitory effects of ellagi- and gallotannins on rat intestinal alpha-glucosidase complexes.

The clove ellagitannins and their related polygalloyl-glucoses inhibited maltase activity of rat intestinal alpha-glucosidases. The structure-activity relationship study of those galloylglucoses, varying the extent of galloylation on the glucose core, with the ellagitannins, indicated that an increasing number of galloyl units in the molecule lead to an increase in the inhibitory activity. Penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose, with five galloyl groups showed the highest inhibitory activity. On the other hand, hexahydroxydiphenoyl units contained in the ellagitannins had little effect on the activity. After separation of maltase-glucoamylase and sucrase-isomaltase complexes from the crude mixture of the rat alpha-glucosidases, the inhibitory activities of the galloylglucose derivatives against each complex were examined. The inhibitory influence on the maltase-glucoamylase complex was more potent than on the sucrase-isomaltase complex.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Application of principal component analysis to the elucidation of perioral soft tissue movements during mastication.

We considered that elucidation of the movements of perioral soft tissue during mastication would be useful in evaluating masticatory movements. However, the evaluation of these movements is difficult because multivariable analysis is needed. In this study, we considered whether principal component analysis (PCA), a form of the multivariate analysis, can reduce the number of degrees of freedom (d.f.) of perioral skin movements (i.e. the time-series data with 45 d.f.). The subjects were 15 healthy persons with complete natural dentition. The chosen experimental food for this study was sufficiently softened chewing gum. Over 95% of the perioral soft tissue movements of healthy subjects with complete natural dentition during mastication could be expressed by PCA using the first three principal components (PCs). Therefore, perioral soft tissue movements in these subjects during mastication were considered to be spatially smooth. Moreover, time analysis of these movements was made possible by the application of proportion diagrams. The results of this study showed that the spatiostructural and temporal analyses of the movements of perioral soft tissue during mastication made possible by the application of PCA.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Minimum estimated incidence in Japan of anaphylaxis to live virus vaccines including gelatin.

We have previously found that most occurrences of anaphylaxis to live virus vaccines are caused by gelatin present in the vaccines as a stabilizer. After we published the evidence for the role of gelatin in anaphylaxis, vaccine manufacturers in Japan began to eliminate gelatin from live virus vaccines. In the present study, we tried to estimate its incidence before the gelatin elimination was started. Physicians and vaccine manufacturers submitted serum samples from children with anaphylaxis to measles, mumps, rubella or varicella vaccine to National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) for 3 years from April 1994 to March 1997. Specific IgE to gelatin was assayed at NIID or two manufacturers by the CAP and ELISA methods. There were 44 children with life-threatening severe anaphylaxis (airway obstruction or anaphylactic shock) during the 3-year period, 41 of whom had anti-gelatin IgE. There were 64 children with mild anaphylaxis (without airway obstruction); 62 had anti-gelatin IgE. There were 100 children with only systemic cutaneous signs; 81 had anti-gelatin IgE. The estimates for the incidence of the severe anaphylaxis in 1994-1996 are: 6.84, 7.31, 4. 36, and 10.3 cases per million doses of gelatin-containing measles, rubella, mumps, and varicella vaccines, respectively.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed2000

Screening of the Men1 gene and discovery of germ-line and somatic mutations in apparently sporadic parathyroid tumors.

Hyperparathyroidism is the first manifestation in a majority of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN1) patients. To discriminate between sporadic and hereditary parathyroid tumors and characterize MEN1 somatic mutations, we examined MEN1 gene mutations in patients who had undergone surgery for sporadic parathyroid tumors. DNA was extracted from fresh frozen parathyroid tumor specimens from 112 patients as well as from peripheral blood leukocytes from 64 of the 112 patients. Sequence analysis was performed to examine exons 2-10 of the MEN1 gene for mutations. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was also examined by an analysis of codon 418 and 541, which lie within a polymorphic region of MEN1. Somatic MEN1 mutations were found in 25 of the 112 patients (22%). Two patients had two point mutations (508del33 and Y341X and 363insT and 1767delT, respectively). A total of 27 mutations were characterized, 20 of which have not been reported previously. There were 7 nonsense mutations, 10 frameshift mutations, 2 splice site deletions, 5 missense mutations, and 3 in-frame mutations. Nineteen mutations (70%) predicted truncation of the menin protein. Germ-line MEN1 mutations were found in 3 of 64 patients (5%) who had no family history of endocrine tumors associated with MEN1, and these patients were identified as MEN1 gene probands. LOH at the MEN1 locus was detected in three parathyroid tumors showing germ-line mutation. LOH was significantly frequent in parathyroid tumors with somatic MEN1 mutations (15 of 22 tumors, 68%) but not in those without germ-line or somatic MEN1 mutations (14 of 51 tumors, 28%; P = 0.0011). Our findings suggest that alterations of both alleles of the MEN1 gene may be associated not only with endocrine tumors of affected MEN1 patients but also with sporadic parathyroid tumors. Germ-line MEN1 gene analysis can distinguish heritable from nonheritable parathyroid tumors, and MEN1 gene evaluation of patients with apparently sporadic parathyroid tumor is recommended before parathyroid surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Induction of hepatitis C virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in mice by an intrahepatic inoculation with an expression plasmid.

We assessed the possibility of intrahepatic inoculation with a plasmid encoding hepatitis C virus (HCV) proteins to elicit HCV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in mice as a conventional animal model of HCV infection. BALB/c mice were intrahepatically or intramuscularly inoculated with an expression plasmid DNA encoding HCV structural proteins under the control of the elongation factor 1-alpha promoter. Expressions of HCV-core protein and envelope proteins (E1 and E2) in hepatocytes were detected immunohistochemically 6 days after inoculation. CTL responses were examined using target cells either pulsed with a specific peptide or infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing HCV structural protein. Both intrahepatically and intramuscularly DNA-inoculated mice developed CD8(+), MHC class I-restricted CTL responses that recognized the peptide pulsed as well as HCV proteins expressing target cells. These studies demonstrated the usefulness of a murine model of HCV infection induced by direct intrahepatic DNA inoculation for understanding the immunopathogenic mechanisms in HCV infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Survival-promoting activity of IL-7 on IL-2-dependent cytotoxic T lymphocyte clones: resultant induction of G1 arrest.

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is essential for both T cell and B cell development. Recent studies have suggested that IL-7 also functions as a survival-promoting factor for resting and activated T cells. In this study we examined the effects of IL-7 on survival and cytotoxicity of tumor-specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones established and maintained either with IL-2 alone or with a combination of IL-2 and IL-7. While the CTL clones cultured in IL-2 alone died around day 10, the CTL clones cultured in the presence of IL-2 and IL-7 survived for more than 4 weeks after seeding. The long-term survival of the latter was correlated with the presence of IL-7 in the medium. In addition, IL-7 alone prolonged survival of other IL-2-dependent CTL clones after the removal of IL-2. IL-7 maintained the CTLs in G1 arrest after a slight proliferation during the initial phase during which low-level but sustained DNA synthesis was observed. However, there was no direct correlation between DNA synthesis and enhancement of long-term survival by IL-7 as demonstrated by the inhibiting proliferation of the CTL clones with the protein kinase inhibitor genistein. During long-term survival in the presence of IL-7, the cytotoxic activities of the CTL clones decreased gradually to background levels although they were restored soon after the next passage. These results suggested that IL-7 had the ability to set machinery in motion against apoptosis in the IL-2-dependent CTL clones. Such an effect of IL-7 might play a role in vivo in the process leading activated T cells to the resting, that is, memory state.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Indications for bilateral modified radical neck dissection in patients with papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.

HYPOTHESES: After subtotal thyroidectomy with modified radical neck dissection of the affected side, nodal recurrence at the contralateral cervical side indicates a poor prognosis for patients with papillary thyroid cancer. Bilateral modified radical neck dissection is beneficial for patients at high risk for contralateral nodal recurrence. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study of patients with papillary cancer who were treated surgically from January 1, 1970, through December 31, 1995, at the Noguchi Thyroid Clinic and Hospital Foundation, Beppu, Japan. PATIENTS: Patients (N = 1776) had primary tumors greater than 10 mm in maximum diameter and underwent thyroidectomy and ipsilateral modified radical neck dissection with curative intent. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (1.8%) developed contralateral lymph node metastases during the mean follow-up period of 12.1 years. The risk factors for contralateral nodal recurrence were male sex, large primary tumor, tumor extension over the isthmus, extracapsular adhesion or invasion to surrounding tissues, and the presence of gross nodal metastasis at initial surgery. These patients had a greater number of distant metastases (31.1% vs 0.7%; P<.001) and a lower 10-year survival rate (83.7% vs 99.3%; P<.001) than patients without nodal recurrence. CONCLUSION: Bilateral modified radical neck dissection should be considered for patients with papillary carcinoma who show risk factors for contralateral nodal recurrence, as it could prevent a second operation and may improve their outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Down-regulation of antigen-specific antibody production by TCR antagonist peptides in vivo.

The efficacy of TCR antagonist peptides in inhibition of antigen-specific antibody production and T cell responses in vivo was evaluated. Among amino acid-substituted analogs of a peptide corresponding to residues 119 - 133 of bovine beta-lactoglobulin (p119 - 133), pR124Q and pD129S, prepared by substitution of Gln and Ser for Arg(124) and Asp(129), respectively, have been shown to display TCR antagonist activity for three out of four distinct p119 - 133-specific T cell clones and for polyclonal T cells derived from p119 - 133-immunized C57BL / 6 mice. Both pD129S and pR124Q inhibited in vivo priming and subsequent activation of T cells by p119 - 133 when co-injected with p119 - 133 into mice, as shown by the decreased proliferation of T cells in response to p119-133 in vitro. pD129S significantly inhibited production of anti-p119 - 113 antibodies of IgG1, IgG2b and IgE isotype in vivo when co-injected into mice together with p119 - 133 at the time of the first immunization. However, pR124Q was totally ineffective in inhibition of the antibody responses. Anti-p119 - 133 antibodies from p119 - 133-immunized mice could bind to pR124Q but not to pD129S, suggesting that the difference in cross-reactivity is responsible for the different effect of these two peptides on specific antibody production. Our findings demonstrate that a single TCR antagonist peptide can inhibit antigen-specific polyclonal antibody production when this antagonist peptide does not cross-react with the antibody elicited in response to an antigenic peptide.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Tumor growth inhibition by intratumoral inoculation of defective herpes simplex virus vectors expressing granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

To evaluate the potential of defective herpes simplex virus (HSV) amplicon vectors as in vivo cytokine gene transfer vehicles for active immunotherapy, we generated a defective HSV vector that encodes the murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene, using a replication-defective HSV as helper virus. A variety of murine tumor cell lines were efficiently infected in vitro with the defective GM-CSF vector (dvGM), and this led to the synthesis and secretion of murine GM-CSF. In an established bilateral subcutaneous tumor model with Harding-Passey murine melanoma, unilateral intratumoral inoculation of dvGM significantly inhibited tumor growth of both the inoculated and noninoculated contralateral tumors. This tumor inhibition was dose-dependent and resulted in increased survival of the dvGM-treated mice. Inoculation of a lacZ-expressing defective vector had no effect on tumor growth. We conclude that this defective HSV vector system offers an effective method for cytokine gene delivery in vivo and that GM-CSF expression in tumors has antitumor activity.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Absence of somatic RET gene mutation in sporadic parathyroid tumors and hyperplasia secondary to uremia, and absence of somatic Men1 gene mutation in MEN2A-associated hyperplasia.

Germline mutations of the MEN1 gene are found in more than 85% of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) patients, and germline mutations of the RET gene are found in more than 95% of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) patients. Parathyroid hyperplasia is seen in more than 90% of MEN 1 and about 15% of MEN2A patients. To date, somatic MEN1 mutations are reported in about 20% of sporadic parathyroid tumors. To elucidate the genetic basis of parathyroid tumor development, we examined somatic RET gene mutations in sporadic parathyroid tumors and hyperplasia secondary to uremia, and somatic MEN1 gene mutations in parathyroid hyperplasia from MEN2A patients. A total of 145 parathyroid tumors comprising 129 sporadic parathyroid tumors, 14 hyperplastic lesions secondary to uremia, and two hyperplastic lesions from MEN2A patients were examined. DNA was extracted from fresh frozen parathyroid tissue. Exons 2-10 of the MEN1 gene and exons 10 and 11 of the RET gene were sequenced. No somatic RET gene mutations were found in the 129 sporadic parathyroid tumors or 14 parathyroid hyperplastic lesions secondary to uremia. No somatic MEN1 gene mutations were found in the two parathyroid hyperplasia from MEN2A patients. These data suggest that RET gene mutation may not be involved in the development of sporadic parathyroid tumors and hyperplasia secondary to uremia and that MEN1 gene mutation may not be or is rarely associated with development of parathyroid hyperplasia in MEN2A patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Interferon-gamma increases IL-12 mRNA expression and attentuates allergic late-onset airway responses in the Brown Norway rat.

Interferon gamma is a T-helper cell (Th)-1-type cytokine that has been suggested to inhibit the development of an atopic Th2-type profile of cytokine expression. The aim of this study was to investigated the effect of exogenous rat interferon gamma on antigen-induced airway responses, and on Th1 and Th2-type cytokine messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in the Brown Norway rat. Rats were actively sensitized to ovalbumin and 14 days later underwent an aerosolized ovalbumin challenge. Animals were intratracheally administered either interferon gamma (3,000 U) or control solvent 30 min prior to, and 2 and 4 h following, antigen challenge. Lung resistance was monitored over an 8-h time period. Using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry, the levels of Th1- (interleukin-12) and Th2-type (interleukin4 and -5) cytokine mRNA, and major basic protein expression in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of these rats 8 h after ovalbumin challenge were also determined. Administration of interferon gamma attenuated the development of the late-onset airways response in ovalbumin-sensitized antigen-challenged rats (p<0,05). The expression of interleukin-4 and -5 mRNA in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of interferon gamma treated rats was significantly attenuated compared to ovalbumin-challenged saline-treated controls (p<0.001). This was accompanied by a significant increase in the expression of interleukin-12 mRNA, and a reduction in eosinophil numbers. Intratracheal administration of interferon gamma modulates the allergic late-onset airways response in rats, and this is associated with a reduction in the expression of T-helper cell 2-type cytokines and an increase in interleukin-12 messenger ribonucleic acid expression within the airways. The present results support a role for interferon gamma in the pathophysiology of acute allergic airway responses, possibly by virtue of its ability to modulate T-helper cell 1- 2-type cytokine expression within the lungs.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed2000

Inhibition of immunoglobulin E response to Japanese cedar pollen allergen (Cry j 1) in mice by DNA immunization: different outcomes dependent on the plasmid DNA inoculation method.

To develop a new immunotherapy for Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica; CJ) pollinosis, we evaluated the use of DNA immunization by inoculating mice with plasmid DNA encoding Cry j 1 as a CJ pollen major allergen (pCACJ1). Repeated intramuscular (i.m.) inoculation of BALB/c mice with pCACJ1 produced anti-Cry j 1 antibody responses, which were predominately of the immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) type. Furthermore, this inoculation suppressed immunoglobulin E (IgE) and IgG1 antibody responses to subsequent alum-precipitated Cry j 1 injections. Splenic T cells isolated from mice inoculated with pCACJ1 i.m. secreted interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), but not interleukin (IL)-4, in vitro upon stimulation with Cry j 1 as well as with p277-288, a peptide corresponding to the T-cell epitope of Cry j 1. In contrast, inoculation of BALB/c mice with pCACJ1 by gene gun injection caused response predominantly of the IgG1 type, and enhanced production of anti-Cry j 1 IgE antibodies to subsequent alum-precipitated Cry j 1 injections. Splenic T cells isolated from pCACJ1-innoculated mice by gene gun injection secreted both IFN-gamma and IL-4 in vitro, upon stimulation with Cry j 1 as well as with p277-288. These findings suggest that i.m. inoculation with pCACJ1 effectively elicits Cry j 1-specific T helper 1 (Th1)-type immune responses, resulting in inhibition of the IgE response to Cry j 1.

Allergens↗
PubMed2000

Evidence for increased expression of eotaxin and monocyte chemotactic protein-4 in atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with tissue eosinophilia and the activation of T lymphocytes. The novel eosinophil chemoattractants, eotaxin and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-4, are up-regulated at sites of allergic inflammation, yet their contribution to the pathophysiologic mechanisms of AD remains to be determined. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the expression of eotaxin and MCP-4 in acute and chronic lesions from patients with AD and to determine their relationship to the numbers of resident inflammatory cells. METHODS: With use of in situ hybridization, the expression of eotaxin and MCP-4 messenger RNA (mRNA) in skin biopsy specimens from patients with acute and chronic AD skin lesions was compared with that of uninvolved skin from these patients and skin from healthy volunteers. RESULTS: There was a constitutive expression of eotaxin and MCP-4 mRNA in skin biopsy specimens from healthy subjects. Positive signal for chemokine mRNA was observed both within the epidermis and inflammatory cells (macrophages, eosinophils, and T cells) of the subepidermis in AD skin lesions. Within the subepithelium acute and chronic skin lesions exhibited a significant increase in the numbers of eotaxin and MCP-4 mRNA-positive cells compared with uninvolved skin (P <.01), whereas the numbers of eotaxin and MCP-4 mRNA-positive cells were significantly higher in chronic AD compared with acute AD skin lesions (P <.005, P <.001, respectively). Correlations were observed between the expression of eotaxin and MCP-4 mRNA and the presence of eosinophils and macrophages, respectively, in AD lesions (r(2) = 0.84, r(2) = 0.94). CONCLUSION: There is an increased expression of eotaxin and MCP-4 in acute and chronic lesions, suggesting that these chemotactic factors play a major role in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of AD.

Biopsy↗
PubMed2000

Upregulation of the transcription factor GATA-3 in upper airway mucosa after in vivo and in vitro allergen challenge.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis is a complex upper airways disorder characterized by the infiltration of eosinophils and T(H2)-type T lymphocytes. GATA-3 is a novel transcription factor recently shown to regulate IL-5 and, possibly, IL-4 gene expression. We previously reported that GATA-3 is increased within the bronchial mucosa of allergic asthmatic subjects compared with control subjects. OBJECTIVE: In the present study we set out to determine whether there is also an increased number of cells expressing GATA-3 messenger (m)RNA within the nasal mucosa of patients with allergic rhinitis. METHODS: Inferior turbinate biopsy specimens were obtained from patients with allergic rhinitis and nonatopic control subjects before and after local allergen provocation in vivo. To assess the contribution of resident cells expressing GATA-3 mRNA, we also performed isolated explant studies in which nasal mucosal tissue from subjects with allergic rhinitis and nonatopic control subjects was cultured in allergen-treated medium. The presence of mRNA coding for GATA-3, IL-5, IL-4, IL-13, and GM-CSF was assessed by using in situ hybridization. RESULTS: The number of GATA-3 mRNA(+) cells was increased after local allergen provocation in vivo (increase in GATA-3 mRNA(+) cells [mean +/- SEM]: subjects with allergic rhinitis, 11.3 +/- 8.7; control subjects, 1.2 +/- 4.1; P <.05) and in explanted nasal mucosa in vitro (subjects with allergic rhinitis, 10. 2 +/- 3.8; control subjects, 2.7 +/- 4.4; P <.05). The gene expression of GATA-3 was significantly correlated to the numbers of IL-5 (r = 0.87) and GM-CSF (r = 0.79) mRNA(+) cells but not with IL-4 or IL-13 mRNA(+) cells. CONCLUSION: In summary, the expression of the transcription factor GATA-3 was increased after allergen challenge, and this was evident in the absence of de novo inflammatory cell recruitment. GATA-3 may be a potential target in the treatment of allergic diseases, such as rhinitis.

Allergens↗
PubMed2000

IgE antibody to fish gelatin (type I collagen) in patients with fish allergy.

BACKGROUND: Most children with anaphylaxis to measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines had shown sensitivity to bovine gelatin that was included in the vaccines. Recently, it was found that bovine type I collagen, which is the main content in the gelatin, is a major allergen in bovine gelatin allergy. Fish meat and skin also contain type I collagen. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to investigate IgE antibody to fish gelatin in children with fish allergy. METHODS: Serum samples were taken from patients in 3 groups: (1) 10 patients with fish allergy and specific IgE to fish meat; (2) two patients with allergies to both fish meat and bovine gelatin and specific IgE to fish meat and bovine gelatin; and (3) 15 patients with atopic dermatitis and specific IgE to fish meat. Various fish gelatins (type I collagen) were prepared from fish skin. IgE antibody to fish gelatin was analyzed by using ELISA and immunoblotting. RESULTS: Of 10 patients with fish allergy, 3 had specific IgE to fish gelatin. Of two patients with fish allergy and bovine gelatin allergy, all had specific IgE to fish gelatin. Of 15 patients with atopic dermatitis and specific IgE to fish meat, 5 had specific IgE to fish gelatin. Furthermore, IgE from pooled serum of the patients reacted with both the alpha1 and alpha2 chains of fish type I collagen in immunoblots. There is cross-reactivity among gelatins from various fishes, but there is little cross-reactivity between fish and bovine gelatins. CONCLUSION: Some fish-sensitive patients possessed IgE antibody to fish gelatin. Fish gelatin (type I collagen) might be an allergen in subjects with fish allergy.

Adolescent↗