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In humans, T cells expressing the CD161 molecule NKR-P1A constitute around 20% of the circulating CD3+ cells and are potentially immunoregulatory in several diseases. Their role in asthma is not well known, but they could participate in asthma attacks. To determinate whether activation of CD161+ T cells and their cytokine production correlate with clinical status of asthma, we analysed blood samples from asthma attack patients (AAP) and stable asthma patients (SAP) in comparison with healthy non-atopic controls (HC). There was a significant higher baseline expression of CD69 on T cells from AAP and the difference was more notorious on CD161+ T cells; upregulation of CD69 was observed on both CD161− and CD161+ T cells driven by Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus crude extract, whereas polyclonal stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus ionomycin predominantly induced IFN- γ but no IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 by CD161+ T cells in all groups; upon polyclonal stimulation, there were more CD161+ T cells producing IFN- γ and less CD161− T cells producing this cytokine, contrasting with the opposite results observed in SAP and HC groups. Our results indicate that, during asthma attack, CD161+ T cells are activated and are able to produce predominantly IFN- γ but no Th2 cytokines. We hypothesize that during an asthma attack, IFN- γ produced by CD161+ T cells could help to reestablish the Th1/Th2 equilibrium. These observations may contribute to the understanding of the immune mechanisms involved in asthma attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In humans, T cells expressing the CD161 molecule NKR-P1A constitute around 20% of the circulating CD3(+) cells and are potentially immunoregulatory in several diseases. Their role in asthma is not well known, but they could participate in asthma attacks. To determinate whether activation of CD161(+) T cells and their cytokine production correlate with clinical status of asthma, we analysed blood samples from asthma attack patients (AAP) and stable asthma patients (SAP) in comparison with healthy non-atopic controls (HC). There was a significant higher baseline expression of CD69 on T cells from AAP and the difference was more notorious on CD161(+) T cells; upregulation of CD69 was observed on both CD161(-) and CD161(+) T cells driven by Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus crude extract, whereas polyclonal stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus ionomycin predominantly induced IFN-gamma but no IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 by CD161(+) T cells in all groups; upon polyclonal stimulation, there were more CD161(+) T cells producing IFN-gamma and less CD161(-) T cells producing this cytokine, contrasting with the opposite results observed in SAP and HC groups. Our results indicate that, during asthma attack, CD161(+) T cells are activated and are able to produce predominantly IFN-gamma but no Th2 cytokines. We hypothesize that during an asthma attack, IFN-gamma produced by CD161(+) T cells could help to reestablish the Th1/Th2 equilibrium. These observations may contribute to the understanding of the immune mechanisms involved in asthma attacks.

The International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC) has assessed the prevalence of asthma, as well as the factors related to the disease in different countries. The aim of this study was to identify asthma risks factors in Mexico City. Data were obtained from questionnaires of children participating in a phase 3b ISAAC survey. Two thousand ninety-eight boys and 2008 girls were recruited in the 6- to 7-year-old group and 3243 boy and 3333 girls were recruited in the 13- to 14-year-old group. Logistic regression was used to determine the asthma risks factors. In the logistic regression for cumulative and current asthma prevalence, the variables allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis were the most important risk factors with the highest odds ratios (OR > 1.5; p < 0.05). The use of antibiotics and paracetamol in the first 12 months of life were related to cumulative asthma in both genders in the 6- to 7-year-old group. Contact of pregnant mother with farm animals was positively related with cumulative asthma in boys in the 6- to 7-year-old group. The main factors associated with the cumulative and current prevalence of asthma in both age groups were atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis. Future interventions for the prevention and early diagnosis and treatment could be focused in the natural history of the atopic march.

The food-induced eosinophilic proctocolitis is a major cause of blood-tinged stools and appears in the first two months of life. The infant is generally described as well, but the clinical features and laboratory results are often nonspecific. We present an early infant with fresh blood stools at 50 days. The colonoscopy and biopsy of the rectum and lower sigmoid revealed lymphoid nodular hyperplasia of the submucose and eosinophil infiltration (40 to 50 per high power field) of the lamina propria and intraepithelial. Elimination of the offending protein from the diet, through the use of an extensively hydrolyzed casein-based formula and soy, lead to clinical resolution of bleeding at 48 hours. We made a review of the case.