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Abstract The FAST project (Food Allergy Specific Immunotherapy) aims at the development of safe and effective treatment of food allergies, targeting prevalent, persistent and severe allergy to fish and peach. Classical allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT), using subcutaneous injections with aqueous food extracts may be effective but has proven to be accompanied by too many anaphylactic side-effects. FAST aims to develop a safe alternative by replacing food extracts with hypoallergenic recombinant major allergens as the active ingredients of SIT. Both severe fish and peach allergy are caused by a single major allergen, parvalbumin (Cyp c 1) and lipid transfer protein (Pru p 3), respectively. Two approaches are being evaluated for achieving hypoallergenicity, i.e. site-directed mutagenesis and chemical modification. The most promising hypoallergens will be produced under GMP conditions. After pre-clinical testing (toxicology testing and efficacy in mouse models), SCIT with alum-absorbed hypoallergens will be evaluated in phase I/IIa and IIb randomized double-blind placebo-controlled (DBPC) clinical trials, with the DBPC food challenge as primary read-out. To understand the underlying immune mechanisms in depth serological and cellular immune analyses will be performed, allowing identification of novel biomarkers for monitoring treatment efficacy. FAST aims at improving the quality of life of food allergic patients by providing a safe and effective treatment that will significantly lower their threshold for fish or peach intake, thereby decreasing their anxiety and dependence on rescue medication.

Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune, chronic disease, which often leading to disability. It affects 44 thousand people in Poland and constitute 24-41% of all patients with psoriasis. Usually, psoriasis precedes the occurrence of PsA. Psoriatic arthritis symptoms are joint stiffness in the morning which disappears after physical activity and pain in joints and spine. The difference between PsA and other rheumatic diseases is tendonitis and dactylitis. The etiology of the psoriatic arthritis is not fully understood. It is suggested that the onset of PsA may be caused by genetic susceptibility, severe stress, bacterial or viral infections or mechanical trauma. For years, the impact of microtrauma and trauma on the onset of PsA has been proven in research. The aim of this study was to review the latest literature to confirm the thesis, that trauma can cause the psoriatic arthritis and to collect case reports in which trauma was the probable factor causing the PsA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Impaired repair of airway epithelium may lead to persistence of inflammation and remodelling. Regeneration of injured epithelium is a complex phenomenon and the role of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and respiratory virus products in this process have not been established. Aim of the study. In this study we aimed to test if wound repair in nasal epithelial cells is modulated by microbial products and if this process was different in patients with allergic rhinitis and in healthy subjects. Materials and methods. Injured human nasal epithelial cells (hNECs) monolayers were incubated with the toll-like receptors agonists: poly (I:C) and lipopolisacharide (LPS); allergen Der p1, and supernatants from virus-infected epithelial cells. Regeneration of injured epithelium was assessed by measuring changes in the area of epithelial damage. Results. Addition of either poly (I:C) or LPS induced a dose dependant inhibition of wound repair in hNECs monolayers. Supernatants from RV1b-infected cells decreased epithelial cell regeneration after mechanical injury only in allergic patients. At baseline conditions the dynamics of epithelial repair was similar in allergic and non-allergic epithelium. However, inhibitory effects of innate stimuli on epithelial repair was stronger in patients with allergic rhinitis as compared to healthy individuals. Conclusions. This study showed that microbial products may affect regeneration of the nasal epithelium, and allergic patients are more susceptible to suppression of epithelial regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Check-point inhibitors are becoming a chance for patients with neoplasmatic disorders. The inhibitors of PD-1/PD1L and CTLA4 pathway are used in treatment of such neoplasmatic disorders as melanoma or lung cancer. Unfortunately interference with signaling between antigen presenting cells and T-Lymphocytes can lead to deregulation of immune system, loss of autotolerance and results in occurence of autoimmune diseases symptoms. Immune-related adverse drug reactions affects even 25% of treated patients and in 6% the observed reactions are severe. The most common clinical manifestation of these reactions include cutaneous symptoms, endocrine disturbances, complaints from gastrointestinal and respiratory systems and renal involvement as well. In the recent years it is reported that also "rheumatologic symptoms" like arthritis, polymyalgia or sicca symptoms are often observed in patients treated with check-point inhibitors. The aim of the article is to present the current knowledge on pathogenesis, clinical pattern, prevalence and treatment of immune-related adverse drug reactions evoked by check-point inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are presenting five patients with fish allergy. The diagnosis was based on clear history, positive skin prick tests with fish allergens (cod, salmon, tuna, hake, sole) and presence of specific IgE against cod allergen (Gad c 1) and modified carp allergen (mCyp c 1). Allergy was confirmed with DBPCFD with fish. Four of five patients had been selected for clinical trial of fish-allergen immunotherapy with vaccine developed within the FAST project (EU FP7). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Airway epithelium is a mechanical barrier playing a protective role in anti-infectious immunity but also in pathophysiology of bronchial asthma. The epithelium can be damaged by endogenous or environmental factors. Aim. The aim of this study was to develop and standardize experimental model of the epithelial damage and assess the repair of epithelial cells of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Material and methods. Cell lines of epithelial upper (RPMI 2650) and lower airway (BEAS-2B) were employed in this study. The cells were cultured to confluence, damaged mechanically and the repair was evaluated by calculating the percentage of regenerated surface. Simultaneously the assessment of damage and regeneration of tight junction by measuring intraepithelial resistance (TER) was performed. Results. Epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract (RPMI 2650) underwent regeneration on average after 5±1 days and in cell cultures of lower respiratory tract complete regeneration of the damage was observed after 24±2 hours. The damage of RPMI 2650 cells took 72 hours to repair in 50% and full recovery was observed after 120 hours. Epithelial cells of the lower respiratory tract were much faster to regenerate and 50% of the damaged surface was regenerated within 6 hours from injury and complete recovery took 24 hours. During the regeneration of the cells the increase in the TER was observed. Conclusions. The in vitro model of epithelial damage and repair is suitable for assessment of endogenous and environmental factors affecting regeneration of the respiratory epithelium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the fact that allergic diseases are less common in the elderly than in patients under 65 years old, allergy should be consider in the differential diagnosis of diseases in geriatric patients, because proper diagnosis and treatment can improve the quality of life of elderly patients. Changes in the immune system, associated with the ageing of the organism known as immunosenescence do not manifest a decrease in the incidence of allergic diseases and asthma. In addition, the weakening of the epidermal and epithelial barrier, facilitates the penetration of allergens, and the immune deviation towards Th2 predominance, may lead to the onset or worsening of existing allergies. Diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases and asthma is not significantly different from the procedure in younger patients, however, may be more difficult in elderly patients due to polytherapy and comorbidities. This paper discuss the prevalence and management of allergic diseases in the elderly patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Allergen-induced basophil activation has been associated with the release of several mediators and with an increased expression of CD203c molecules on basophils. Aim: To assess the influence of specific allergens on the generation of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic (15-HETE) from peripheral blood leukocytes in relation to basophil activation, on the basis of CD203c molecule expression and histamine release. Material and methods: The study included 15 patients with clinical symptoms of birch pollen allergy confirmed by a positive skin prick test with the birch allergen, and 6 healthy controls. Leukocytes isolated from peripheral blood were incubated with 3 concentrations of the birch pollen allergen (Betv1), anti-IgE or with ionophore A23187. Results: In vitro challenge of leukocytes from allergic patients with 1 ng/ml of allergen induced a significant increase in 15-HETE generation. An increase above 30% was observed in almost half the allergic patients, with mean values ranging from 40% to 46%, but not in healthy controls. Anti-IgE antibodies increased 15-HETE generation in 5 patients (termed IgE+), and the allergen induced a significant increase in 15-HETE in all patients who reacted to anti-IgE. The mean CD203c expression on basophils of the allergic patients increased after allergen challenge, but a significant increase (> 30%) was observed only in patients who demonstrated an increased expression after anti-IgE exposure. A significant correlation was seen between 15-HETE generation and histamine release induced by the highest concentration of the allergen (r = 0.95; p < 0.01). Conclusions: Allergen-induced, IgE-mediated activation of basophils is associated with a significant increase in 15-HETE generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pathogenesis of rhinosinusitis in aspirin-exacerbated airway disease is closely linked to the disequilibrium in arachidonic acid metabolism. Although considerable amounts of data concerning impaired eicosanoid production are available, the precise mechanism and pathogenesis of the disease are still unknown. The aim of the present study was to assess the expression of enzymes belonging to the arachidonic acid cascade and receptors for arachidonate derivative metabolites in nasal polyps from aspirin- hypersensitive (AH) and aspirin-tolerant (AT) patients with rhinosinusitis. Methods: Cells expressing cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) receptors (CysLT1 and CysLT2), arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase, leukotriene B4 receptor type 1, E-prostanoid receptors (EP2 and EP4), cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 were detected by immunocytochemistry in nasal polyps obtained from 10 AH patients and 18 AT patients. Results: There was a significantly higher density of cells expressing CysLT1 and CysLT2 receptors in nasal polyps from AH patients than from AT patients (p < 0.001). In contrast, the density of cells expressing EP2 receptor and COX-2 was significantly lower in AH patients than in AT patients (p < 0.02). The number of COX-2-positive epithelial cells was significantly reduced in AH polyps (p < 0.04). Conclusions: The elevated number of nasal polyp cells expressing CysLT receptors and lack of cells expressing EP2 receptor and COX-2 may be related to a more severe course of hyperplastic rhinosinusitis in aspirin hypersensitivity. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic rhinitis is the most frequent atopic disease and is an important health problem that causes impairment in patients activities, social functioning, sleep, school and work. Asthma prevalence ranges from 5 to 20% of the population in different countries and most patients with asthma have rhinitis supporting the concept of "one airway one disease". Epidemiologic studies have shown that asthma and rhinitis often coexist in the same patient. Moreover, patients with moderate/severe persistent allergic rhinitis may be more likely to suffer from asthma than those with intermittent allergic rhinitis and/or a milder form of the disease. The coexistence of rhinitis with asthma appears to impair asthma control. The presence of allergic rhinitis commonly exacerbates asthma increasing the risk of asthma attacks, emergency visits and hospitalizations for asthma, In April 2008 an Update of ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma) guidelines have been published in which classification of rhinitis and management recommendations were validated. In ARIA 2008 document the links between asthma and allergic rhinitis have been confirmed and accented. The epidemiologic evidence and common risk factors were reviewed. The similarities and differences of nasal and bronchial mucosa and mechanisms of allergic inflammation in asthma and rhinitis were presented. In this article, it is aimed to summarize the newly updated and published version of "Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) 2008" and to present the diagnostic and therapeutic consequences of ARIA guidelines. According to them patients with allergic rhinitis should be evaluated for asthma, because the treatment of rhinitis reduces asthma severity and optimize asthma control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]