Biomedical subjects

Marianne Van Hage-Hamsten

Publications and source records attributed to Marianne Van Hage-Hamsten.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

IgE-positive plasma cells are present in adenoids of atopic children.

CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the presence of IgE(+) plasma cells in the adenoids of atopic children. Our data suggest that adenoids are capable of local production of IgE and support the role of adenoids as an inductive site for allergic reactions. OBJECTIVE: We have previously demonstrated increased numbers of IgE(+) cells in the adenoids of atopic children and also found support for an IL-4-induced class switch to IgE production in adenoids. In search of further evidence of adenoids being involved in IgE-mediated sensitization, we investigated the distribution of plasma cells and macrophages positive for IgE in adenoids. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Adenoid tissue from atopic and non-atopic children was examined using immunohistochemical markers for IgE, plasma cells (CD138) and macrophages (CD68). The distribution of positive cells was determined in the extrafollicular area and in the follicles of adenoids. Co-localization of IgE and CD138(+) plasma cells and CD68(+) macrophages was examined using immunohistochemical double-staining methods. RESULTS: Non-atopic adenoids contained no or very few IgE(+) cells. In contrast, IgE(+) cells were found in high numbers in atopic adenoids, mainly in the extrafollicular area. Higher numbers of IgE(+) plasma cells and IgE(+) macrophages were also found in the adenoids of atopic children.

Adenoids↗

PubMed2004

A novel adjuvant-allergen complex, CBP-rFel d 1, induces up-regulation of CD86 expression and enhances cytokine release by human dendritic cells in vitro.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy is commonly performed with allergen extracts adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide (alum). The undesirable effects associated with the use of alum, including granuloma formation at the site of injection and stimulation of T helper 2 (Th2) cytokine production, has generated interest in alternative allergen carriers, one being carbohydrate-based particles (CBPs). Here, we have investigated the in vitro effects of the recombinant major cat allergen Fel d 1 (rFel d 1) coupled to CBPs (CBP-rFel d 1) on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) obtained from healthy blood donors. A majority of the CD1a(+) MDDCs internalized fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled CBP-rFel d 1, as demonstrated by flow cytometry and confocal laser-scanning microscopy. Furthermore, an up-regulation of the expression of the costimulatory molecule, CD86, on the MDDCs was induced by CBP-rFel d 1, but not by rFel d 1 or CBPs alone. Finally, three- and fourfold increases in the release of interleukin-8 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha, respectively, were observed when MDDCs were cultured in the presence of CBP-rFel d 1. Altogether, our results indicate that the use of CBPs as an allergen carrier and adjuvant is a promising candidate for the improvement of allergen-specific immunotherapy.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2002

Microarrayed allergen molecules: diagnostic gatekeepers for allergy treatment.

Type I allergy is an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated hypersensitivity disease affecting more than 25% of the population. Currently, diagnosis of allergy is performed by provocation testing and IgE serology using allergen extracts. This process defines allergen-containing sources but cannot identify the disease-eliciting allergenic molecules. We have applied microarray technology to develop a miniaturized allergy test containing 94 purified allergen molecules that represent the most common allergen sources. The allergen microarray allows the determination and monitoring of allergic patients' IgE reactivity profiles to large numbers of disease-causing allergens by using single measurements and minute amounts of serum. This method may change established practice in allergy diagnosis, prevention, and therapy. In addition, microarrayed antigens may be applied to the diagnosis of autoimmune and infectious diseases.

Allergens↗

PubMed2002

Carbohydrate-based particles: a new adjuvant for allergen-specific immunotherapy.

The occurrence of systemic anaphylactic side-effects in the course of allergen-specific immunotherapy has been strongly reduced by the adsorption of allergens to aluminium hydroxide, the most frequently used adjuvant in humans. Using the major timothy grass pollen allergen, Phl p 5b, in its recombinant form for immunization of mice, we demonstrate that carbohydrate-based particles (CBP) exhibit several potential advantages over aluminium-hydroxide as adjuvant for immunotherapy. Similar to alum-bound rPhl p 5b, CBP-bound rPhl p 5b induced a stronger antibody and cytokine response than unbound rPhl p 5b after subcutaneous injection in mice. The antibodies induced by CBP-bound rPhl p 5b, exhibited potentially beneficial activities as they cross-reacted with group 5 allergens from five other grass species and inhibited the binding of grass pollen allergic patients IgE to Phl p 5b. Alum-bound rPhl p 5b induced a preferential allergen-specific Th2-response characterized by high immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibody levels and elevated interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 production in cultured splenocytes. By contrast, CBP-bound rPhl p 5b, but not rPhl p 5b alone or coadministered with CBP, induced a mixed allergen-specific T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2 immune response characterized by the additional production of allergen-specific IgG2a/b antibody responses and elevated interferon-gamma production. Conjugation of rPhl p 5b to CBP yielded a stable vaccine formulation with preserved immunogenic features of the allergen and, in contrast to alum, induced no granulomatous tissue reactions. Based on these results, CBP is suggested as a potentially useful adjuvant for specific immunotherapy of IgE-mediated allergies.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗