IgE-dependent activation of mast cells and basophils through the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) is involved in the pathogenesis of allergen-induced immune responsiveness in atopic diseases like atopic dermatitis (AD). We sought to determine FcεRI gene polymorphisms are associated with AD in Korean patients, and analyzed the relevance of FcεRI gene polymorphisms and serum IgE levels. We cond...

OBJECTIVES Rehmannia glutinosa pharmacopuncture solution (RGPS) was investigated to determine both its anti-allergic inflammatory effects on mast cells and its detailed mechanism of actions. METHODS We investigated whether RGPS suppress cytokines, enzymes, FcεRI expression and FcεRImediated signaling in RBL-2H3 cells stimulated with anti-DNP IgE/DNP-HSA. The suppressive effects of RGPS on the...

Different protocols exist for in vitro development of HuMCs from hematopoietic stem cells, which results in distinct mast cells regarding molecular markers and activation patterns. Here, we introduce a SR profile using immunological, neurogenic, and pharmacological stimuli to characterize cellular functionality. Mast cells were obtained from three culture protocols using two types of PBdMCs (CD...

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune blistering disease mediated by autoantibodies targeting BP180 (type XVII collagen). Patient sera and tissues typically have IgG and IgE autoantibodies and elevated eosinophil numbers. Although the pathogenicity of the IgE autoantibodies is established in BP, their contribution to the disease process is not well understood. Our aims were two-fold: 1) To e...

BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in leukocyte differentiation, although those utilised for specific programs and key functions remain incompletely characterised. As a global approach to gain insights into the potential regulatory role of miRNA in mast cell differentiation we characterised expression in BM cultures from the initiation of differentiation. In cultures enriched in...

Ag-mediated crosslinking of IgE-FcεRI complexes activates mast cells and basophils, initiating the allergic response. Of 34 donors recruited having self-reported shrimp allergy, only 35% had significant levels of shrimp-specific IgE in serum and measurable basophil secretory responses to rPen a 1 (shrimp tropomyosin). We report that degranulation is linked to the number of FcεRI occupied with a...

Using computer-guided homology modeling method, the 3-D structure of the Fv fragment of a functional anti-IgE antibody (MAE11) was constructed and the spatial structure of E24-MAE11 complex was modeled based on the crystal structure of IgE-Fc (abbr. E24) and molecular docking method. Then the identified epitope of IgE was determined theoretically, which showed the key role of IgE-Cɛ3 in interac...

Monocytes have a limited life span, and their homeostasis is regulated by programmed cell death in vivo (1, 2). Human monocytes cultured in the absence of appropriate exogenous stimuli undergo apoptosis that is enhanced by serum removal (3). The onset of apoptosis can be prevented by adding activating factors such as LPS, TNF-α, IL-1β, and CD40 ligand; and monocytes receiving such signals diffe...

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Gamisasangja-tang (GST) is a traditional herbal formula prescribed for patients with intractable pruritus in association with various inflammatory skin diseases. To evaluate the effects of GST on pruritic skin inflammation and investigate its cellular and molecular mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS We orally administered GST to NC/Nga (NC) mice, an animal model ...