Project description:In previous studies with peripheral blood cells, platelet factors were found to be associated with severe allergic phenotypes. A reliable method yielding highly concentrated and pure platelet samples is usually not available for immunological studies. Plateletpheresis is widely used in the clinics for donation purposes. In this study, we designed a protocol based on plateletpheresis to obtain platelet-rich plasma (PRP), Platelet Poor Plasma (PPP) as well as CD3+ and CD14+ cells matched samples from a waste plateletpheresis product for immunological studies.
Project description:The objective of the study was to investigate long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression profiles of blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), to identify lncRNAs that act at the interphase of microbiome-mediated immune homeostasis in allergy/asthma.
Project description:Comparison of gene expression profiles between pediatric patients with and without symptoms of cross-allergy (birch-apple syndrome).
Project description:CD4+ helper T cells (TH) and regulatory T cells (Treg) that respond to common allergens play an important role in driving and dampening airway inflammation in patients with asthma. Until recently, direct, unbiased molecular analysis of allergen-reactive TH and Treg cells has not been possible. To better understand the diversity of these T cell subsets in allergy and asthma, we analyzed the single-cell transcriptome of ~50,000 house dust mite (HDM) allergen-reactive TH cells and Treg cells from asthmatics with HDM allergy and from three control groups: asthmatics without HDM allergy and non-asthmatics with and without HDM allergy. Our analyses show that HDM allergen-reactive TH and Treg cells are highly heterogeneous, and certain subsets are quantitatively and qualitatively different in subjects with HDM-reactive asthma. The number of interleukin (IL)-9 expressing HDM-reactive TH cells is greater in asthmatics compared with non-asthmatics with HDM allergy, and display enhanced pathogenic properties. More HDM-reactive Th and Treg cells expressing the interferon-response signature (THIFNR and TregIFNR) are present in asthmatics without HDM allergy compared with those with HDM allergy. In cells from these subsets (THIFNR and TregIFNR), expression of TNFSF10 was enriched; its product, TRAIL, dampens activation of TH cells. These findings suggest that the THIFNR and TregIFNR subsets may dampen allergic responses, which may help explain why only some people develop TH2 responses to nearly ubiquitous allergens.
Project description:CD4+ helper T cells (TH) and regulatory T cells (Treg) that respond to common allergens play an important role in driving and dampening airway inflammation in patients with asthma. Until recently, direct, unbiased molecular analysis of allergen-reactive TH and Treg cells has not been possible. To better understand the diversity of these T cell subsets in allergy and asthma, we analyzed the single-cell transcriptome of ~50,000 house dust mite (HDM) allergen-reactive TH cells and Treg cells from asthmatics with HDM allergy and from three control groups: asthmatics without HDM allergy and non-asthmatics with and without HDM allergy. Our analyses show that HDM allergen-reactive TH and Treg cells are highly heterogeneous, and certain subsets are quantitatively and qualitatively different in subjects with HDM-reactive asthma. The number of interleukin (IL)-9 expressing HDM-reactive TH cells is greater in asthmatics compared with non-asthmatics with HDM allergy, and display enhanced pathogenic properties. More HDM-reactive Th and Treg cells expressing the interferon-response signature (THIFNR and TregIFNR) are present in asthmatics without HDM allergy compared with those with HDM allergy. In cells from these subsets (THIFNR and TregIFNR), expression of TNFSF10 was enriched; its product, TRAIL, dampens activation of TH cells. These findings suggest that the THIFNR and TregIFNR subsets may dampen allergic responses, which may help explain why only some people develop TH2 responses to nearly ubiquitous allergens.
Project description:It is known that immune system can be regulated by miRNAs, thus we hypothesized that certain miRNAs may have a potential regulatory effect on the IgE mediated food allergy. In our study, the spleens of allergic mice induced by OVA were used for the screening of differentially expressed miRNAs.
Project description:Cutaneous exposure to food antigen through impaired skin barrier has been shown to induce epicutaneous sensitization, and thereby cause IgE-mediated food allergy. We examined whether skin barrier impairment deteriorated food allergy symptoms in epicutaneously sensitized mice. To clarify the association between skin inflammation and food allergy symptoms, we analyzed gene expression at skin lesions using a GeneChip.