Browsing by Subject "Allergy"

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    Artemisia pollen is the main vector for airborne endotoxin
    (Elsevier, 2018-08-09) Oteros, José; Bartusel, Elke; Alessandrini, Francesca; Núñez, Andrés; Moreno, Diego A.; Behrendt, Heidrun; Schmidt-Weber, Carsten; Traidl-Hoffmann, Claudia; Buters, Jeroen; Genética y Microbiología
    Background: Endotoxin (LPS) released from gram-negative bacteria causes strong immunologic and inflammatory effects and, when airborne, can contribute to respiratory conditions, such as allergic asthma. Objectives: We sought to identify the source of airborne endotoxin and the effect of this endotoxin on allergic sensitization. Methods: We determined LPS levels in outdoor air on a daily basis for 4 consecutive years in Munich (Germany) and Davos (Switzerland). Air was sampled as particulate matter (PM) greater than 10 μm (PM > 10) and PM between 2.5 and 10 μm. LPS levels were determined by using the recombinant Factor C assay. Results: More than 60% of the annual endotoxin exposure was detected in the PM > 10 fraction, showing that bacteria do not aerosolize as independent units or aggregates but adhered to large particles. In Munich 70% of annual exposure was detected between June 12th and August 28th. Multivariate modeling showed that endotoxin levels could be explained by phenological parameters (ie, plant growth). Indeed, days with high airborne endotoxin levels correlated well with the amount of Artemisia pollen in the air. Pollen collected from plants across Europe (100 locations) showed that the highest levels of endotoxin were detected on Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort) pollen, with little on other pollen. Microbiome analysis showed that LPS concentrations on mugwort pollen were related to the presence of Pseudomonas species and Pantoea species communities. In a mouse model of allergic disease, the presence of LPS on mugwort pollen was needed for allergic sensitization. Conclusions: The majority of airborne endotoxin stems from bacteria dispersed with pollen of only one plant: mugwort. This LPS was essential for inducing inflammation of the lung and allergic sensitization.
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    Mechanisms underlying eosinophil trafficking and their relevance in vivo
    (F. Hernández y Juan F. Madrid. Universidad de Murcia: Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2000) Cara, D. C.; Negrao-Correa, D.; Teixeira, M. M.
    After their formation in the bone marrow, eosinophils circulate with a short half-life and are distributed throughout the body, especially in mucosal and sub-mucosal regions. Although a small amount of these cells are normally seen in healthy tissue, blood and tissue eosinophilia is a hallmark of helminthic and allergic diseases. The role of eosinophils in the normal physiology of mucosal tissues is not understood, but there is good evidence to demonstrate that these cells protect the host at least against some intestinal helminths, specially those with a lung cycle. In addition, there are now many data that support a role for eosinophils in the pathophysiology of allergic diseases, such as asthma. Because helminthic diseases have been largely controlled in developed countries, there has been much interest in the development of drugs which affect eosinophil migration and/or activation in the tissue and which may, thus, be useful in the treatment of allergic conditions. The understanding of the mechanisms controlling eosinophil trafficking and/or activation are essential in the development of anti-eosinophil-based therapeutic strategies. The present paper reviews aspects of eosinophil biology with emphasis on the role of eosinophils in parasitic infections and allergy, the basic mechanisms underlying the trafficking of eosinophils into tissue and how these can be modulated pharmacologically.
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    Prenatal vitamin D status and respiratory and allergic outcomes in childhood: A meta-analysis of observational studies
    (2018-05) Pacheco-González, Rosa M.; Morales Bartolomé, Eva; García-Marcos Álvarez, Luis Vicente; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
    Background: Prenatal vitamin D status may influence offspring’s respiratory and allergic outcomes; however, evidence is inconclusive. A systematic review and metaanalysis were conducted on the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D] levels in maternal blood in pregnancy or cord blood at birth with the risk of offspring’s respiratory and allergic conditions. Methods: Two independent researchers conducted systematic searches for observational studies published until May 2017 using defined keywords on vitamin D and health outcomes, including respiratory tract infections (RTIs), wheeze, asthma, atopic eczema, allergic rhinitis, allergic sensitization, and lung function. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted. Results: A total of 34 from 547 retrieved articles were included. Increased prenatal exposure to 25(OH)D was inversely associated with risk of RTIs. Comparing the highest with the lowest category of 25(OH)D levels, the pooled odds ratio was 0.64 (95% CI 0.47, 0.87). A positive borderline association was found for lung function at school age (FEV1 z-score coefficient 0.07, 95% CI -0.01, 0.15). No associations were found for wheeze, asthma, atopic eczema, allergic rhinitis, and allergic sensitization. Conclusion: The introduction of public health measures to tackle vitamin D status in pregnancy may reduce the burden of RTIs in offspring. Current evidence does not support an impact on asthma and allergy.
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    The Nutrition in Early Life and Asthma (NELA) birth cohort study: Rationale, design, and methods
    (2022) Alcantara-Lopez, Maria V.; Cabezas-Herrera, Juan; Jimenez-Guerrero, Pedro; Larqué, Elvira; Lopez-Soler, Concepción; Martinez-Gracia, Carmen; Martinez-Torres, Antonela; Salvador-Garcia, Carme; Sanchez-Solis, Manuel; Yagüe-Guirao, Genoveva; Zornoza-Moreno, Matilde; Santaella-Pascual, Marina; Diego Puente, Teresa de; Martín-Orozco Santiago, María Elena; Noguera Velasco, José Antonio; Hernández Caselles, Trinidad; Sola Martínez, Rosa Alba; Mendiola Olivares, Jaime; Morales Bartolomé, Eva; Pérez Fernández, Virginia; Torres Cantero, Alberto Manuel; García-Marcos Álvarez, Luis Vicente; Nieto Díaz, Anibal; Prieto Sánchez, María Teresa; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
    Background: Primary prevention strategies for asthma are lacking. Its inception probably starts in utero and/or during the early postnatal period as the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) paradigm suggests. Objectives: The main objective of Nutrition in Early Life and Asthma (NELA) cohort study is to unravel whether the following factors contribute causally to the developmental origins of asthma: (1) maternal obesity/adiposity and foetal growth; (2) maternal and child nutrition; (3) outdoor air pollution; (4) endocrine disruptors; and (5) maternal psychological stress. Maternal and offspring biological samples are used to assess changes in offspring microbiome, immune system, epigenome and volatilome as potential mechanisms influencing disease susceptibility. Population: Randomly selected pregnant women from three health areas of Murcia, a south-eastern Mediterranean region of Spain, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were invited to participate at the time of the follow-up visit for routine foetal anatomy scan at 19–22 weeks of gestation, at the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit of the “Virgen de la Arrixaca” University Clinical Hospital over a 36-month period, from March 2015 to April 2018. Design: Prospective, population-based, maternal-child, birth cohort study. Methods: Questionnaires on exposures and outcome variables were administered to mothers at 20–24 gestation week; 32–36 gestation week; and delivery. Children were surveyed at birth, 3 and 18 months of age and currently at 5 years. Furthermore, physical examinations were performed; and different measurements and biological samples were obtained at these time points. Preliminary results: Among the 1350 women invited to participate, 738 (54%) were finally enrolled in the study and 720 of their children were eligible at birth. The adherence was high with 612 children (83%) attending the 3 months’ visit and 532 children (72%) attending the 18 months’ visit. Conclusion: The NELA cohort will add original and unique knowledge to the developmental origins of asthma.
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    The Nutrition in Early Life and Asthma (NELA) birth cohort study: Rationale, design, and methods.
    (Wiley, 2021-09-19) Cabezas Herrera, Juan; Jiménez Guerrero, Pedro; Larque Daza, Elvira; Martinez Gracia, María del Carmen; Martinez Torres, Antonela; Salvador García, Carme; Sánchez Solís De Querol, Manuel; Yagüe Guirao, Genoveva; Zornoza Moreno, Matilde; López Soler, Concepción; Santaella-Pascual, Marina; Diego Puente, Teresa de; Hernández Caselles, Trinidad; Martín-Orozco Santiago, María Elena; Sola Martínez, Rosa Alba; Noguera Velasco, José Antonio; Mendiola Olivares, Jaime; Morales Bartolomé, Eva; Pérez Fernández, Virginia; Torres Cantero, Alberto Manuel; García-Marcos Álvarez, Luis Vicente; Nieto Díaz, Anibal; Prieto Sánchez, María Teresa; Bioquímica y Biología Molecular B e Inmunología
    Background: Primary prevention strategies for asthma are lacking. Its inception probably starts in utero and/or during the early postnatal period as the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) paradigm suggests. Objectives: The main objective of Nutrition in Early Life and Asthma (NELA) cohort study is to unravel whether the following factors contribute causally to the developmental origins of asthma: (1) maternal obesity/adiposity and foetal growth; (2) maternal and child nutrition; (3) outdoor air pollution; (4) endocrine disruptors; and (5) maternal psychological stress. Maternal and offspring biological samples are used to assess changes in offspring microbiome, immune system, epigenome and volatilome as potential mechanisms influencing disease susceptibility. Population: Randomly selected pregnant women from three health areas of Murcia, a south-eastern Mediterranean region of Spain, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were invited to participate at the time of the follow-up visit for routine foetal anatomy scan at 19–22 weeks of gestation, at the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit of the “Virgen de la Arrixaca” University Clinical Hospital over a 36-month period, from March 2015 to April 2018. Design: Prospective, population-based, maternal-child, birth cohort study. Methods: Questionnaires on exposures and outcome variables were administered to mothers at 20–24 gestation week; 32–36 gestation week; and delivery. Children were surveyed at birth, 3 and 18 months of age and currently at 5 years. Furthermore, physical examinations were performed; and different measurements and biological samples were obtained at these time points. Preliminary results: Among the 1350 women invited to participate, 738 (54%) were finally enrolled in the study and 720 of their children were eligible at birth. The adherence was high with 612 children (83%) attending the 3 months’ visit and 532 children (72%) attending the 18 months’ visit. Conclusion: The NELA cohort will add original and unique knowledge to the developmental origins of asthma.
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    The Nutrition in Early Life and Asthma (NELA) birth cohortstudy: Rationale, design, and methods
    Alcantara Lopez, Maria V.; Cabezas Herrera, Juan; Jimenez Guerrero, Pedro; Larque Daza, Elvira; Lopez Soler, Concepción; Martinez Gracia, Carmen; Martinez Torres, Antonela; Salvador Garcia, Carmen; Sanchez Solis De Querol, Manuel; Yagüe, Genoveva; Zornoza Moreno, Matilde; Santaella-Pascual, Marina; Diego Puente, Teresa de; Hernández Caselles, Trinidad; Martín-Orozco Santiago, María Elena; Noguera Velasco, José Antonio; Sola Martínez, Rosa Alba; Mendiola Olivares, Jaime; Morales Bartolomé, Eva; Pérez Fernández, Virginia; Torres Cantero, Alberto Manuel; García-Marcos Álvarez, Luis Vicente; Nieto Díaz, Anibal; Prieto Sánchez, María Teresa; Bioquímica y Biología Molecular B e Inmunología