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Biomedical subjects

Z Ikezawa

Publications and source records attributed to Z Ikezawa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

High positive frequency of antibodies to metallothionein and heat shock protein 70 in sera of patients with metal allergy.

Two principal types of stress protein, heat shock proteins (hsps) and metallothionein (MT), are induced in cells responding to a variety of stresses. They play an important role in protecting cells from these stresses. However, many reports indicate that antibodies to hsps are present in human serum and are associated with several autoimmunity diseases. Metals, which are commonly allergenic to humans, induce both MT and hsp70 (one of the hsps family). Until now, there has been no report of any antibody to MT in human serum. In the present study, serum samples from healthy controls (Group I), and patients suffering from atopic dermatitis without (Group II) or with (Group III) metal allergy, were measured for antibodies to MT and hsp70, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Metal allergy was confirmed by patch testing. We first found that antibody to MT exists in human serum. We also found a high positive frequency of antibody to MT (51.3%) and to hsp70 (43.6%) in the sera of Group III, compared to those of Group I (3.8% and 5.1%) or Group II (6.4% and 5.1%). Furthermore, there was a strong positive correlation between antibody to MT and antibody to hsp70 in Group III (P = 0.0013), but not in Group I and Group II. Our results indicate that antibody to MT exists in human serum, as do antibodies to hsps, and suggest that elevated levels of MT and hsp70 antibodies are associated with metal allergy in atopic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis: influence of concurrent aspirin administration on skin testing and provocation.

BACKGROUND: Provocation tests in patients with food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) are often negative, even after a sufficient quantity of the implicated food and exercise have been taken. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of aspirin in provocation tests and in skin prick testing (SPT) of patients with FDEIA. Gluten as a major allergen in wheat-dependent FDEIA was also investigated. METHODS: Provocation tests and SPT with suspected foods were performed in 12 patients with FDEIA. Provocation tests were performed with combinations of foods, exercise and aspirin. Detection of gluten-specific IgE was also performed by the CAP System FEIA radioallergosorbent test, SPT and a histamine release test. RESULTS: The SPT reaction was enhanced by pretreatment with oral aspirin in five of eight (62.5) patients. Aspirin facilitated provocation in five of seven (71%) patients tested. Ingestion of wheat and aspirin without exercise provoked symptoms in two patients. Aspirin provoked symptoms even with a small amount of wheat and exercise in one patient. Only the combination of aspirin, wheat and exercise provoked anaphylaxis in one patient. Specific IgE, SPT and/or the histamine release test with gluten were positive in nine of 11 patients with wheat-dependent FDEIA. CONCLUSIONS: Aspirin enhances symptoms of FDEIA, and prior ingestion of aspirin under controlled conditions can be used to confirm FDEIA. In practice, such patients should avoid aspirin ingestion. Gluten appears to be the major allergen in these patients with wheat-dependent FDEIA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Effect of IL-12 encoding plasmid administration on tight-skin mouse.

The tight-skin (Tsk/+) mutant mice, a putative murine model of scleroderma, are characterized by the excessive deposition of collagen and the presence of antinuclear antibodies. Type 2 cytokines, such as IL-4 and IL-6, are capable of regulating the synthesis of various matrix molecules, including type I collagen, by fibroblasts. IL-12 is well known to induce type 1 cytokine production and to reduce type 2 activity. Here, we examined the effect of IL-12 encoding plasmid (pCAGGSIL-12) on the disease progression of Tsk/+ mice. pCAGGSIL-12 plasmid or pCAGGS parental vector was injected intramuscularly 7 times at 3 week intervals into Tsk/+ mice. One week after the last injection, pCAGGSIL-12 administered Tsk/+ mice exhibited a marked decrease in the skin thickness compared with the mice treated with pCAGGS vector. The serum levels of antinuclear antibodies were diminished in pCAGGSIL-12 treated mice. IL-4 production by spleen cells from pCAGGSIL-12 plasmid treated mice was significantly lower than that from vector treated mice. These results indicate that pCAGGSIL-12 administration into Tsk/+ mice had beneficial effects in preventing the collagen accumulation in the skin and suppressing the autoimmunity via improvement of Th1/Th2 balance. The present study suggests that the IL-12 encoding plasmid administration might have a therapeutic effect on systemic sclerosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Contact urticaria from rice.

A 30-year-old man with atopic dermatitis had had erythema and itching of the hands after washing rice in water, though he had always eaten cooked rice without problems. Handling test with water used to wash regular rice was performed on abraded hands, and produced urticarial erythema after several minutes. Applications of water used to wash allergen-reduced rice were negative for urticarial reaction. Prick test with water used to wash regular rice was +++. However prick test reaction with water used to wash allergen-reduced rice was +. Histamine-release test of regular rice-washing water was grade 3 and that of allergen-reduced rice grade 1. In immunoblotting analysis with regular rice washing water, there were no bands with this patient. These results suggest that the allergen responsible for contact urticaria in this patient might be water-soluble, heat-unstable, and not contained in allergen-reduced rice.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome associated with reactivation of cytomegalovirus.

Recently, it has been proposed that viral infection is involved in the pathogenesis of hypersensitivity syndrome. Cytomegalovirus (CMV), one of the aetiological agents of infectious mononucleosis, has never been reported as an organism associated with hypersensitivity syndrome. We describe a 64-year-old man with severe phenytoin-induced hypersensitivity syndrome associated with CMV infection. Twenty-five days after the patient was started on phenytoin, he developed high fever and a generalized erythematous rash followed by jaundice, renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC). CMV-specific IgG antibodies were significantly increased 7 weeks after the onset of clinical symptoms and the increase was associated with the appearance of CMV-specific IgM. CMV DNA was detected in the serum of the patient. Coinfection with other viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus and human herpesviruses 6 and 7, could be excluded because antibody titres to those viruses did not increase during the clinical course of his illness. We suggest that reactivation of CMV may contribute, at least in some cases, to the development of hypersensitivity syndrome.

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMed2001

The necessity for dual food intake to provoke food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FEIAn): a case report of FEIAn with simultaneous intake of wheat and umeboshi.

BACKGROUND: Food-dependent exercised-induced anaphylaxis (FEIAn) is classified among the physical allergies. Many different food allergens have been reported, but the pathophysiology of FEIAn remains unknown. Furthermore, provocation tests with a suspected food do not always succeed in patients with FEIAn. OBJECTIVE: We sought to clarify and investigate causative foods and mechanisms of FEIAn in a 14-year-old boy. In addition, we tested in vivo and in vitro effects of cromolyn sodium in the same patient. METHODS: We used open challenge tests for the provocation of FEIAn and measured changes in plasma histamine levels and FEV1. In addition, we investigated the mechanism of FEIAn in this case with in vitro histamine release testing. RESULTS: The patient was diagnosed as having FEIAn by provocation testing with a simultaneous intake of wheat and umeboshi, but not when each food was eaten singly, followed by exercise. In addition, his plasma histamine level increased transiently and forced expiratory volume 1, expressed as a percentage change from baseline, decreased significantly. A synergistic effect on in vitro histamine release testing with 2 kinds of the causative foods was shown. Administration of cromolyn sodium proved to be effective on both the in vitro and in vivo tests. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of FEIAn provoked by the test with a simultaneous intake of 2 kinds of food. This case might in part explain negative challenge test results in patients with FEIAn.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Frequency of food-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis in Japanese junior-high-school students.

BACKGROUND: Food-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FEIAn) is classified among the physical allergies. The pathophysiology of FEIAn remains unknown, as does the frequency of FEIAn in the general population. OBJECTIVE: We sought to study the epidemiology of FEIAn, especially its frequency in junior-high-school students in Yokohama, Japan. METHODS: A questionnaire asking about the occurrence of FEIAn in school students was sent to all 145 public junior-high-school nurses in Yokohama. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-two junior-high-school nurses responded to the questionnaire, and 13 (11 boys and 2 girls) cases of FEIAn among 76,229 junior-high-school students were reported. In addition, 24 (12 boys and 12 girls) subjects with exercise-induced anaphylaxis (EIAn) were detected. From this survey, the frequency of FEIAn was 0.017% in this population, and its frequency was significantly higher in boys than in girls (P < .05). The frequency of EIAn was 0.031%, and there was no difference according to sex. Only one third of junior-high-school nurses had any knowledge of FEIAn. We also performed provocation tests in 5 of the 13 cases with FEIAn after obtaining informed consent from the students and their parents and were able to confirm the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: This study showed that FEIAn and EIAn are relatively rare diseases among junior-high-school students in Yokohama. To avoid serious outcomes, we believe it is important that not only physicians but also school nurses and teachers of physical education be aware of these diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

MAPK upstream kinase (MUK)-binding inhibitory protein, a negative regulator of MUK/dual leucine zipper-bearing kinase/leucine zipper protein kinase.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase upstream kinase/dual leucine zipper-bearing kinase/leucine-zipper protein kinase (MUK/DLK/ZPK) is a MAPKKK class protein kinase that induces JNK/SAPK activation. We report here a protein named MBIP that binds to MUK/DLK/ZPK. MUK-binding inhibitory protein (MBIP) contains two tandemly orientated leucine-zipper-like motifs with a cluster of basic amino acids located between the two motifs. MBIP interacts with one of the two leucine-zipper-like motifs of MUK/DLK/ZPK and inhibits the activity of MUK/DLK/ZPK to induce JNK/SAPK activation. Notably, no similar effect was observed with another JNK/SAPK-inducing MAPKKK, COT/Tpl-2, showing the specificity of MBIP action. Furthermore, the overexpression of MBIP partially inhibits the activation of JNK by 0.3 m sorbitol in 293T cells. Taken together, these observations indicate that MBIP can function as a regulator of MUK/DLK/ZPK, a finding that may provide a clue to understanding the molecular mechanism of JNK/SAPK activation by hyperosmotic stress.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗
PubMed2000

Tear levels of interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL) -2, IL-4 and IL-5 in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis and allergic conjunctivitis.

BACKGROUND: A predominance of TH2 activity in chronic allergic diseases, such as vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC), has been suggested recently. However, there is no published study on tear levels of cytokines of the two different subgroups, TH1 and TH2, in patients with ocular allergy. OBJECTIVES: We measured interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and IL-5 levels in tears by ELISA, to determine whether the levels of these cytokines are elevated in allergic ocular diseases when compared among patient groups and normal controls. METHODS: Tear levels of IL-2, IFNgamma, IL-4 and IL-5 were measured by ELISA using samples from patients with VKC, AKC (AKC-NP, without proliferative lesions; and AKC-P, with proliferative lesions), allergic conjunctivitis (AC) and normal subjects. The levels of these cytokines in tears and the clinical severity of AD were also compared. RESULTS: Tear IL-4 level in patients with AKC was significantly higher than those in VKC, AC and controls, and tear IL-4 levels in patients with AKC-P vs VKC differed significantly. Tear IL-5 levels in patients with diseases associated with proliferative lesions, VKC and AKC-P, were higher than those in AC and normal controls. However, tear level of IL-5 in patients with AKC-P was significantly higher than that in AKC-NP. Although the dermatological severity of AD correlated significantly with tear IL-4 level, IFNgamma, IL-2 and IL-5 levels did not correlate with dermatological severity of AD. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the TH2-like cytokines play an important pathophysiological role in severe ocular allergic conditions such as AKC and VKC and that tear level of IL-5 may be a candidate marker to evaluate the clinical status of ocular allergy. The different patterns of tear levels of IL-4 and IL-5 among ocular allergic diseases may reflect the origin and immunological basis of these cytokines.

Adolescent↗
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↗
PubMed2000

Digestibility of allergens extracted from natural rubber latex and vegetable foods.

BACKGROUND: Several cross-reactive allergens are now known to be involved in the defense responses of higher plants. Such proteins are drawing the attention of plant breeders because of their antimicrobial or stress-alleviating activities. Plants genetically modified to express defense-related proteins are being developed. The current concern is focused on the allergenicity of these intentionally expressed proteins. OBJECTIVE: It is believed that food allergens are proteins resistant to digestion. Digestibility tests have been accepted as an appropriate method for evaluating the allergenicity of newly introduced proteins. In this study we investigated the usefulness of this method for detecting allergens from natural rubber latex and vegetable foods. METHODS: Proteins were extracted from rubber latex, potato, and 5 kinds of fruits. Simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) were used for the digestibility test. An aliquot of each digest was periodically withdrawn and analyzed. Allergens were detected with pooled sera from individuals with latex allergy or patients given a diagnosis of oral allergy syndrome. RESULTS: Most latex and vegetable food proteins were digested by the SGF within 4 minutes. Numerous allergens were also decomposed by the SGF within 8 minutes. Although vegetable food allergens were relatively stable in the SIF, kiwi allergens were substantially degraded by the SIF within 16 hours. CONCLUSION: The pronounced lability of the plant-derived allergens was thought to reflect the discrete sensitization and elicitation processes of patients with latex-fruit syndrome or oral allergy syndrome. These results indicate that the allergenicity of a newly expressed protein should be carefully evaluated according to not only its digestibility but also other important properties.

Allergens↗
PubMed2000

[Evaluation of MAST-26, newly developed system for the detection of IgE antibodies].

MAST-26 is a new allergy testing system which allows simultaneous determination of allergen-specific IgE antibody levels for 26 allergens using 200 microliters of patient serum. To evaluate the effectiveness of MAST-26 for the detection of allergen-specific IgE antibody, a total of 100 serum samples were collected from allergic patients at five facilities, and allergen-specific IgE antibody was measured by MAST-26. 14% of them were positive to > or = 10 allergens. If the patients had severe allergic symptoms, they were likely to show positive to many allergens. A good correlation was found between the results obtained by MAST-26 with those measured by CAP RAST and by intradermal skin test. It was concluded that MAST-26 is an effective screening method for the detection of allergen-specific IgE.

Allergens↗
PubMed2000

[A relationship between a psychosomatic and a skin condition in patients with atopic dermatitis].

Atopic dermatitis (AD) has been clinically well-known to be frequently exacerbated by some psychosomatic stress. In this study, we examined a relationship between a psychosomatic and a skin condition in patients with AD. Visual analogue scale (VAS) for the grade of general physical condition, mental stress and others were reported daily for themselves, while skin physiological parameters, resident skin bacteria and a psychological questionnaire (POMS) were measured every 2 weeks. It was observed that tense-anxious and depressive scores of POMS tended to correlate with skin conductance, a skin clinical score and a number of total skin bacteria and others. These results suggest that changes of psychosomatic condition reciprocally correlate with the exacerbation and improvement of skin symptom in patients with AD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[A case of atopic dermatitis which showed correlation of psychological state and lesions--changes of value of psychological test, skin lesion and NK cell activity].

The relationship between psychological state and skin lesions of atopic dermatitis were investigated with a 31-year-old male patient. He had severe atopic dermatitis which became worse with psychological stress. A psychological test, profile of mood states (POMS), was performed on him every 2 weeks. Peripheral lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cell activity were investigated at some points. When the psychological state showed more depressive, anxiety, anger, fatigue and confusion, the skin lesions became worse and recovered after the psychological states turned well. Correlation was shown between itch and stress or fatigue by a visual analogue scale (VAS) (p < 0.001). NK cell activity decreased during the worse psychological state and recovered during the near normal psychological state, although, the lymphocyte count and CD4/8 ratio in peripheral blood did not change during the study. These results suggest that some patients with atopic dermatitis should be treated psychologically in addition to standard dermatological treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Atopic dermatitis at 18-months physical examination].

In order to know the prevalence rate and severity of atopic dermatitis, and to compare them to those previously done for 4-month-old infants, the authors examined atopic dermatitis of 18-month-old children at regular health checks at a health center. Among 769 children examined, 69 were diagnosed as having atopic dermatitis, giving a prevalence rate of 9.0%. Most of cases were mild, and no severe cases were observed. In contrast to the location of eruptions on head, face, and trunk at 4-month-old, the eruptions were seen mainly on the trunk and extremities. The prevalence rate in summer and autumn was significantly lower than that in winter and spring. Among 501 children whom we could examine both at 4-month and 18-month-old, 102 cases were diagnosed as having atopic eruptions at 4 months. The eruptions, however, were disappeared in 83 cases when they were 18-month-old. The severity of atopic dermatitis also came to be mild when they grew up. Altogether, a quarter of children had atopic eruptions either at 4 months or 18 months, or both. It will be of interest to observe the transition of atopic dermatitis in childhood and we are planning to follow them at next physical examination at 3-year-old.

Dermatitis, Atopic↗
PubMed2000

[Immunological and clinical features of vernal keratoconjunctivitis between persons with and without systemic atopic dermatitis].

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there exists immunological or clinical difference between patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis(VKC), which is characterized by conjunctival proliferative changes belonging to the serious spectrum of allergic conjunctival diseases, complicated by atopic dermatitis(AD) and those without AD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 52 patients with VKC (33 patients with AD, 19 without AD). Clinical severity was determined on the basis of clinical scores of conjunctival, corneal, and limbal lesions. The serum level of total IgE, the proportion of eosinophils in peripheral blood, antigen specific IgE antibodies (radioallergo sorbent test, RAST), and tear levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 were measured. RESULTS: The serum level of total IgE and the number of positive RAST antigens were significantly higher in VKC patients with AD than in those without AD. No significant difference was observed in the proportion of peripheral blood eosinophils, distribution of clinical types of VKC, or clinical severity between VKC patients with and without AD. Although tear IL-4 level in VKC patients with AD was significantly higher than in those without AD, no difference was observed in tear level of IL-5 between these groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that clinical features are similar or identical in VKC regardless of the presence of AD. However, it is suggested that there may be a different immunological background between VKC patients with AD and those without AD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and interleukin-2 receptor in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis and allergic conjunctivitis.

BACKGROUND: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is characterized by severe ocular allergic inflammation that may have a poor visual prognosis. Due to the high frequency of the presence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in VKC, most systemic parameters are dependent on the clinical severity of AD. METHODS: Serum levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and sIL-2R were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay using samples from 30 VKC patients, 30 allergic conjunctivitis (AC) patients, and 20 normal subjects, to determine whether the concentrations of these molecules are elevated. RESULTS: Circulating sICAM-1 and sIL-2R levels were increased in patients with VKC with AD compared with those in VKC without AD, AC, and normal controls. Serum levels of sVCAM-1 in VKC patients with and without AD were significantly higher than those in controls. No significant difference was found in the levels of sVCAM-1 between patients with VKC with and without AD. In VKC patients with AD, the sIL-2R level correlated significantly with severity of AD, whereas no such correlation was found for sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that serum sVCAM-1 can be used as a marker to differentiate VKC from nonproliferative ocular allergic diseases, and specific immunologic features of VKC may underlie the upregulation of serum sVCAM-1.

Adolescent↗