• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.236-246
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• 2009

As the allergic diseases in patients are increasing, it is important to find out the allergens. A multiple antigen simultaneous test(MAST) is a simple method for in vitro measurement of allergen-specific IgE antibodies. This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between allergen-specific IgE antibodies, serum total IgE and peripheral eosinophil count in the allergic patients. According to the results of the study, the total IgE positive rate(above class 2) from the inhalent is 96.97%, and that from food panel is 98.06%. The research showed that the positive rate of the allergen-specific IgE was House dust 51.52%, D. farinae 45.46%, Cat 31.99% in inhalent panel, and 55.34%, 42.72%, 34.96% in food panel. Serum total IgE was associated with allergy, however, allergy was not always associated with eosinophilia.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.416-421
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• 2007

Many previous studies have proved that human allergic disease resulted from the formation of antibodies belonging to a unique immunoglobulin isotype termed immunoglobulin E (IgE). Most of IgE-producing plasma cells are found in the lymphoid tissue associated with the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. IgE may be found free in the mucosal secretions of these tissues, bound to local mast cells, or distributed by the systemic circulation to mast cells and basophils throughout the body. Total serum IgE concentrations tend to be higher in allergic adults and children compared with non-allergic individuals, but the value of total serum IgE as a screening test for allergic disease is limited. Total serum IgE levels are related to the probability of an individual having detectable allergen-specific IgE. Allergen-specific IgE concentrations vary with a person's age, the degree and duration of the recent allergen or cross-reactive allergen exposure. The value of quantitative assays for allergen-specific IgE has been suggested in recent studies. Serum IgE increases in many non-allergic diseases, including infectious and parasitic diseases. The IgE changes appear to be specific to the infectious agents, whereas non-specific in other diseases. The increased serum IgE in some of these conditions probably results from alterations in immune function. This review summarizes the clinical significance of total and allergen-specific IgE examinations in allergic diseases.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.179-191
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• 2009

Background: The present study examines a hypothesis that short allergen-derived peptides may shift an Aspergillus fumigatus (Afu-) specific TH2 response towards a protective TH1. Five overlapping peptides (P1-P5) derived from Asp f1, a major allergen/antigen of Afu, were evaluated for prophylactic or therapeutic efficacy in BALB/c mice. Methods: To evaluate the prophylactic efficacy, peptides were intranasally administered to naive mice and challenged with Afu-allergens/antigens. For evaluation of therapeutic efficacy, the mice were sensitized with Afu-allergens/antigens followed by intranasal administration of peptides. The groups were compared for the levels of Afu-specific antibodies in sera and splenic cytokines evaluated by ELISA. Eosinophil peroxidase activity was examined in the lung cell suspensions and lung inflammation was assessed by histopathogy. Results: Peptides P1-, P2- and P3 decreased Afu-specific IgE (84.5~98.9%) and IgG antibodies (45.7~71.6%) in comparison with Afu-sensitized mice prophylactically. P1- and P2-treated ABPA mice showed decline in Afu-specific IgE (76.4~88%) and IgG antibodies (15~54%). Increased IgG2a/IgG1 and IFN-${\gamma}$/IL-4 ratios were observed. P1-P3 prophylactically and P1 therapeutically decreased IL-5 levels and eosinophil peroxidase activity. P1 decreased inflammatory cells' infiltration in lung tissue comparable to non-challenged control. Conclusion: Asp f1-derived peptide P1, prophylactically and therapeutically administered to Balb/c mice, is effective in regulating allergic response to allergens/antigens of Afu, and may be explored for immunotherapy of allergic aspergillosis in humans.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.35.1-35.13
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• 2020

Antigen delivery systems play critical roles in determining the quality and quantity of Ab responses in vivo. Induction of protective antibodies by B cells is essential in the development of vaccines against infectious pathogens, whereas production of IgE antibodies is prerequisite for investigation of allergic responses, or type 1 hypersensitivity reactions. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are efficient platforms for expression of proteins of interest in highly repetitive manners, which grants strong Ab responses to target antigens. Here, we report that delivery of hen egg lysozyme (HEL), a model allergen, through VLP could provoke strong HEL specific IgE Ab responses in mice. Moreover, acute allergic responses were robustly induced in the mice sensitized with VLPs that express HEL, when challenged with recombinant HEL protein. Our data show that antigen delivery in the context of VLPs could function as a platform for sensitization of mice and for subsequent examination of allergic reactions to molecules of interest.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.104-112
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the general features of allergic patients in northwestern Chungcheongnamdo who visited Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital. The subjects in this study were 1692 suspected allergic patients. After their allergic symptoms were checked and a MAST-CLA test was conducted, the following results were obtained: 1. The mean age of the subjects was 23.1 years old. The male patients represented 56.2% and the female patients accounted for 43.8%. 1387 (82.0%) patients of those investigated suffered from allergic disease. 2. Among the 1387 patients, 1022 (73.7%) patients showed an increased total IgE level. The positive rate of those who were in their 40s (87.0%) was the highest, but their age made no difference to their positive rate of total IgE. 3. Concerning the positive rate for allergen specific antibody by age, those who were in their teens (73.5%) topped the list and similar in all age group except in their 40s. By gender, the positive rate of the male and female were 56.3% and 43.9% respectively. Regarding the positive rates by allergic disease, those who suffered from allergic rhinitis (60.4%) were most vulnerable, followed by the patients with allergic dermatitis (47.4%), with bronchial asthma (47.2%) and with urticaria (39.4%). 4. As for seasonal positive rates, they were most susceptible in April (77.2%) and May (71.1%). We discovered a significant difference according to seasons; Spring (60.1%), Winter (45.4%) and Summer (39.2%). 5. In case of Korean inhalent panel, the most dominant allergen-specific antibodies were "Cockroach mix" (31.1%), followed by "D. pteronyssius" (23.8%) and "Dog" (14.3%). In the event of food panel, the most popular allergen-specific antibodies were "D. farinae" (25.0%), followed by "D. pteronyssinus" (19.8%) and "Hose dust" (12.0%). 6. The residential type made no difference to the positive rates of "House dust", "Cockroach mix" and "Dog" as major antigen but compared with others, positive rates for "Tick" were somewhat higher in apartment buildings.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2006

Objective : Although management of asthma has become increasingly effective, its cure remains elusive, necessitating a new modality to prevent or eliminate causes triggering clinical progress. Based in the clinical experiences, a novel decoration Cheongsangbiyeum (CSB), has been developed to treat asthma, which consists of Polyporus, Semen Myristicae, Pericarpium citri Reticulatae, Rhizoma Cimicifugae, Cortex Albizziae, Fructus Rubi, Rhizoma Zedoariae, and Rhizoma Rhei. In the current study, its anti-asthmatic efficacy was evaluated using a mouse model of asthma. Methods : Experimental allergic asthma was induced by repeated intraperitioneal sensitization and intranasal challenge of ovalbumin (OVA). Water extract of CSB (1 mg/mouse/day) was administrated orally whereas control mice on given with identical volume of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 5 days during the course of antigen challenge. When airway hyperreactivity(AHR) measured by ${\bata}-methacoline-induced$ airflow obstruction was compared, AHR of CSB-treated mice was significantly lower than those of control mice, indicating that CM extract can attenuate an asthmatic symptom. Airway recruitment of leukocytes and eosinophils was also markedly reduced by CSB treatment suggesting that oral treatment of CSB can alleviate the airway inflammation. For a better understanding of possible mechanisms underlying anti-asthmatic effet of CSB, cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and $IFN{\gamma}$ levels in bronchoalveola lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were determined. Results : The results showed that cytokine levels were significantly lowered by CSB treatment. Additionally, number of draining lymph node cells was significantly lower than those of control mice. These data indicate that CSB suppress in vivo allergen-specific response. However, notably, levels of type 2 cytokines such as IL-5 and IL-13 were more profoundly influenced. Moreover, in vitro OVA-specific proliferative response and type 2 cytokine (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) production lymph node cells was markedly decreased in CSB-treated mice, whereas their $IFN{\gamma}$ production was not significantly altered Thrse data clearly showed a preferential inhibition of type 2 T cell (Th2) response by CSB treatment. This finding was also supported by serum antibody data showing that levels of OVA-specific type 2 antibodies, IgE and IgG1, in CSB-treated mice were significantly lower than in control mice, while type 1 antibody, IgG2a level m rather higher than controls, although the difference was in significant. Conclusions : In conclusion, oral administration of CSB attenuates asthmatic manifestations including AHR ad airway recruitment of eosinophils in a mouse model which possibly results from selective inhibition of Th2 cell response to allergen. Our data suggest a potential clinical application of CSB for control of allergic asthma.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.91-95
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• 2002

Background: In order to characterize human antibodies with specificity for mite allergens at the molecular level, a scFv phage display library was constructed using peripheral blood mononuclear lymphocytes from an asthma patient allergic to mite as Ig gene sources. Methods: Immunoglobulin $V_H$ and V gene fragments were obtained by polymerase chain reaction, and randomly combined in pCANTAB-5E vector. The resulting human scFv phage display library had $3{\times}10^4$ independent clones, and biopanning was performed with house dust mite extracts. Results: Four scFv clones specific for house dust mite extract were isolated. Immunoblot assay showed that our clones reacted to 25 kDa and 50~60 kDa proteins with unknown identity in mite extracts. Sequence analysis indicated that two clones (b7 and c15) are identical, and all clones belong to human $V_H3$ subgroup. On the other hand, light chain usage was different in that two clones (a2 and b7 / c15) belonging to V ${\kappa}4$ subgroup, but a4 used V ${\kappa}1$ light chain gene. Conclusion: Our approach should facilitate provision of useful information on the antibody responses against allergens at the molecular level in humans.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2011

The present study was performed to estimate the seroprevalence of larval Anisakis simplex infection among the residents health-examined in 3 hospitals in southern parts of Korea. A total of 498 serum samples (1 serum per person) were collected in 3 hospitals in Susan Metropolitan city, Masan city, and Geoje city in Gyeongsangnam-do (Province) and were examined by IgE-ELISA and IgE-western blotting with larval A. simplex crude extract and excretory-secretory products (ESP). The prevalence of antibody positivity was 5.0% and 6.6% with ELISA against crude extracts and ESP, respectively. It was also revealed that infection occurred throughout all age groups and higher in females than in males. A specific protein band of 130 kDa was detected from 10 patients with western blot analysis against crude extract and ESP among those who showed positive results by ELISA. Our study showed for the first time the seroprevalence of anisakiasis in Korea. The allergen of 130 kDa can be a candidate for serologic diagnosis of anisakiasis.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.151-164
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• 2006

Objective : The objective of this study is to analyze an increasing rate, difference of attack rate in age, relationship between atopic dermatitis and breast-feeding, the relationship between atopic dermatitis and the Sasang constitution, and various treatments of atopic dermatitis. Methods : This clinical study was carried out with 22 theses which are related with diagnosis, treatments, prognosis and control of atopic dermatitis. The 22 theses are carried on J Korean Oriental Pediatrics, J Korean Oriental Ophthalmology, J Korean Oriental Med, J Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease, J Korean Acad Fam Med and Korean J Food & Nutr. Results : The prevalence rate, attack rate and diagnosis rate of atopic dermatitis are increased in the year of 2000, compared with those of 1995. Comparing age of patient between the year of 1992 and 2002, the attack rate of atopic dermatitis is increased quickly over 7 years old. Specific immunoglobulin E(IgE) antibodies detected in patients under 1 year old was exclusively caused by food. But for the age over 7 years old, food and inhalant allergen are detected in the year of 2002 in compare with that of 1992. Because of breast-feeding, intemperate diet adjustment during the period of maternity of family history of atopic dermatitis, the attack rate of atopic dermatitis is increased in infant. The types of patients are categorized according to Sasang constitution and Soeumin group was largest. The Oriental medicine treatments of atopic dermatitis are bath & skin hydration, avoidance from antigen, dietetic treatment, external treatment, medication and phototherapy. Conclusion : The atopic dermatitis is associated with breast-feeding, Sasang constitution types. More active approach for the treatment and prevention of Atopic dermatitis in children are needed.