The frequency of HLA-A, -B, and -C loci antigens in random populations of Alternaria-sensitive (N = 100) and perennial nonallergic asthmatics (N = 87) were compared with age- (+/- 5 yr) and sex-matched controls from the same geographic region.
Twenty-three unrelated Japanese patients with asthma who showed a high total serum IgE level, a strong skin test response to Dermatophagoides farinae, and a high score on a radioallergosorbent test (RAST) using Dermatophagoides farinae were typed for HLA-A locus, -B locus, and -D region antigens.
We demonstrate enhanced TNF-alpha gene expression in mononuclear cells from these patients compared with healthy subjects and patients with bronchial asthma.
Asthmatic families (AFs) and normal families (NFs) were studied to determine the relationship between bronchial hyperresponsiveness and alpha 1-antitrypsin protease inhibitor phenotype.
Patients with alpha 1-antitrypsin variants also had much shorter smoking histories as compared with the MM group, and all reported histories of asthma in first-degree relatives, as compared with 66% among the MM patients.
Among heterozygotes, the prevalence of asthma in first and second degree relatives with low plasma alpha 1-antichymotrypsin concentration was higher than in relatives with normal plasma ACT concentration, but the difference in prevalence did not reach statistical significance [prevalence ratio 3.1 (0.96-9.83), P = 0.059].
Among heterozygotes, the prevalence of asthma in first and second degree relatives with low plasma alpha 1-antichymotrypsin concentration was higher than in relatives with normal plasma ACT concentration, but the difference in prevalence did not reach statistical significance [prevalence ratio 3.1 (0.96-9.83), P = 0.059].
Among heterozygotes, the prevalence of asthma in first and second degree relatives with low plasma alpha 1-antichymotrypsin concentration was higher than in relatives with normal plasma ACT concentration, but the difference in prevalence did not reach statistical significance [prevalence ratio 3.1 (0.96-9.83), P = 0.059].
Among heterozygotes, the prevalence of asthma in first and second degree relatives with low plasma alpha 1-antichymotrypsin concentration was higher than in relatives with normal plasma ACT concentration, but the difference in prevalence did not reach statistical significance [prevalence ratio 3.1 (0.96-9.83), P = 0.059].
Among heterozygotes, the prevalence of asthma in first and second degree relatives with low plasma alpha 1-antichymotrypsin concentration was higher than in relatives with normal plasma ACT concentration, but the difference in prevalence did not reach statistical significance [prevalence ratio 3.1 (0.96-9.83), P = 0.059].
Among heterozygotes, the prevalence of asthma in first and second degree relatives with low plasma alpha 1-antichymotrypsin concentration was higher than in relatives with normal plasma ACT concentration, but the difference in prevalence did not reach statistical significance [prevalence ratio 3.1 (0.96-9.83), P = 0.059].
Among heterozygotes, the prevalence of asthma in first and second degree relatives with low plasma alpha 1-antichymotrypsin concentration was higher than in relatives with normal plasma ACT concentration, but the difference in prevalence did not reach statistical significance [prevalence ratio 3.1 (0.96-9.83), P = 0.059].
Among heterozygotes, the prevalence of asthma in first and second degree relatives with low plasma alpha 1-antichymotrypsin concentration was higher than in relatives with normal plasma ACT concentration, but the difference in prevalence did not reach statistical significance [prevalence ratio 3.1 (0.96-9.83), P = 0.059].
Self-reported histories of hay fever and asthma were obtained from 3,808 pairs of adult twins 18 years and over registered with the Australian National Health Medical Research Council Twin Registry (1232 MZF, 567 MZM, 751 DZF, 352 DZM, 906 DZO).
This study provides evidence for the cellular localization of IL-5 mRNA in the bronchial mucosa of asthmatics and supports the concept that this cytokine regulates eosinophil function in bronchial asthma.
The six IL-5 mRNA-positive asthmatics tended to have more severe disease than the negative asthmatics, as assessed by symptoms and lung function, and showed a significant increase in the degree of infiltration of the bronchial mucosa by secreting (EG2+) eosinophils and activated (CD25+) T lymphocytes.
The six IL-5 mRNA-positive asthmatics tended to have more severe disease than the negative asthmatics, as assessed by symptoms and lung function, and showed a significant increase in the degree of infiltration of the bronchial mucosa by secreting (EG2+) eosinophils and activated (CD25+) T lymphocytes.
This study provides evidence that in an experimental model of allergen-induced asthma, activation of the immune and inflammatory response (BAL lymphocyte and alveolar macrophage production of GM-CSF) is temporally associated with an inflammatory cell influx of eosinophils into the airway.
The expression of IL-5 and GM-CSF by eosinophils at sites of allergic inflammation in asthmatics may provide an important autocrine pathway, maintaining the viability and effector function of the recruited eosinophils.
Significant levels of TNF (578 +/- 917 pg/ml versus 24 +/- 29 pg/ml) (p = 0.01), GM-CSF (24 +/- 41 pg/ml versus less than 8 pg/ml) (p = 0.02), and IL-6 (225 +/- 327 pg/ml versus 7 +/- 12 pg/ml) (p = 0.01), but not IL-1 alpha or IL-4, were detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with symptomatic compared with BALF of patients with asymptomatic asthma.