IL-10 in Mast Cell-Mediated Immune Responses: Anti-Inflammatory and Proinflammatory Roles

Mast cells (MCs) play critical roles in Th2 immune responses, including the defense against parasitic infections and the initiation of type I allergic reactions. In addition, MCs are involved in several immune-related responses, including those in bacterial infections, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, cancers, allograft rejections, and lifestyle diseases. Whereas antigen-specific IgE is a well-known activator of MCs, which express FcεRI on the cell surface, other receptors for cytokines, growth factors, pathogen-associated molecular patterns, and damage-associated molecular patterns also function as triggers of MC stimulation, resulting in the release of chemical mediators, eicosanoids, and various cytokines. In this review, we focus on the role of interleukin (IL)-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, in MC-mediated immune responses, in which MCs play roles not only as initiators of the immune response but also as suppressors of excessive inflammation. IL-10 exhibits diverse effects on the proliferation, differentiation, survival, and activation of MCs in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, IL-10 derived from MCs exerts beneficial and detrimental effects on the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and in several immune-related diseases including contact hypersensitivity, auto-immune diseases, and infections. This review introduces the effects of IL-10 on various events in MCs, and the roles of MCs in IL-10-related immune responses and as a source of IL-10.     

Extracellular Vesicles and Asthma—More Than Just a Co-Existence

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membranous structures, which are secreted by almost every cell type analyzed so far. In addition to their importance for cell-cell communication under physiological conditions, EVs are also released during pathogenesis and mechanistically contribute to this process. Here we summarize their functional relevance in asthma, one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases. Asthma is a complex persistent inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by reversible airflow obstruction and, from a long-term perspective, airway remodeling. Overall, mechanistic studies summarized here indicate the importance of different subtypes of EVs and their variable cargoes in the functioning of the pathways underlying asthma, and show some interesting potential for the development of future therapeutic interventions. Association studies in turn demonstrate a good diagnostic potential of EVs in asthma.     

我国预包装食品致敏原声称情况调查

目的 了解我国预包装食品标签中致敏原声称的使用情况,为修订《预包装食品标签通则》提供建议。方法 在全国各地大中型超市进行采样或拍照,收集预包装食品致敏原标签声称信息并录入Excel,对各类食品的致敏原声称使用情况进行统计。结果 共采集8 694份样品,致敏原标签的总体标识率为21.58%(1 876/8 694),其中焙烤食品含有致敏原声称的标识率最高(65.73%, 468/712)。各致敏原成分中,关于乳及乳制品致敏原的声称率最高(17.09%,1 486/8 694),使用“可能含有”“本生产线也生产”“本加工设备也生产”“本生产工厂也加工”等常用于表明存在交叉接触的预防性致敏原声称的频率较高,主要集中在焙烤食品、膨化食品、谷物及其制品等3类食品中。结论 我国预包装食品中使用食品致敏原声称的食品种类较多,致敏原声称的使用缺乏规范,个别食品类别使用预防性致敏原声称的频率较高。致敏原声称在食品产品中广泛使用,应将其作为我国致敏原标识管理的重点。     

Immunomodulatory properties of selectively processed prawn protein fractions assessed using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Prawn muscles were treated with acetic acid and high-pressure processing (600 MPa) separately to analyse their antigenicity and immunogenicity. The protein fractions were separated and isolated using preparative HPLC, and their antigenicity was analysed using Immunoglobulin G (IgG) ELISA kit. Out of thirty-nine protein fractions, only four (A10, A11, B10 and C9) were detected with antigenic potentials. The immunogenicity of these protein fractions was analysed using human PBMCs, and supernatants were collected at multiple times from 0 to 144 h. The treated fractions (B10 and C9) analysed using Immunoglobulin E (IgE) ELISA kit showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production compared with control (A10). The allergenic fractions were characterised using an LC/MS/MS, which identified nine proteins. Among these, six proteins (tropomyosin, arginine kinase, haemocyanin, enolase, vitellogenin and 14-3-3 zeta) have been established as allergenic in prawn muscle and ovaries. Other three proteins (beta-1,3-glucan-binding protein, translationally controlled tumour protein and farnesoic acid O-methyltransferase short isoform protein) identified in this study need further investigation for their immunogenic properties.     

几种常见抗食物过敏的天然活性成分研究进展

食物过敏是一种过敏性疾病,已经成为一个全球性的公共健康问题,严重影响了人们的生活质量。但由于食物过敏的发生受多个因素影响,发生过程复杂,其免疫学机制仍未被阐明,目前仍没有理想的治疗方法,现有的治疗药物不但不能从根本上治愈,还具有一定的副作用。因此,近年来国内外学者广泛寻求并研究具有抗食物过敏的天然活性成分,并利用动物模型和细胞模型对其可能的作用机制进行了探究。本文首先对食物过敏反应发生的过程进行了概述,重点对近年来功能性糖类(寡糖和多糖)、多酚类、黄酮类几类天然活性成分的抗食物过敏作用及机制的研究方面所取得的进展进行了综述。本文为利用天然活性成分开发出安全有效的抗食物过敏食物或药物提供了科学依据和参考。     

Retardation of Crystallization through the Addition of Dairy Phospholipids

The objective of this work was to identify the effects that milk phospholipids (PL) have on crystallization of anhydrous milk fat (AMF). Three mixtures were prepared by adding 0%, 0.01%, and 0.1% PL to AMF. Each mixture was crystallized for 90 min at 24, 26, and 28 °C. The solid fat content was measured as a function of time and fitted to the Avrami equation. Melting point, thermal behavior, viscoelastic properties, and crystal morphology were all measured at 90 min. All assays were repeated, as well as hardness, after being stored at 5 °C for 48 hours. Samples containing PL showed slower crystallization as concentration increased especially at higher temperatures (26 and 28 °C). The addition of PL caused a difference in crystal morphology resulting in visibly larger crystals at 90 min. The elasticity and hardness at 90 min were influenced by the addition of PL at 24 °C with lower values obtained in samples with PL compared to the AMF alone. No differences in hardness nor in elasticity was observed for samples crystallized at 26 and 28 °C. A decrease in melting enthalpy was observed in samples with PL indicating a reduction in crystallization at all temperatures, which was supported by crystal morphology.     

Nickel release from inexpensive jewelry and hair clasps purchased in an EU country — Are consumers sufficiently protected from nickel exposure?

Background

Nickel allergic subjects are at risk factor of acquiring hand eczema. In 1990 and 1994, respectively, Denmark and member states in the EU regulated nickel release from selected consumer products. The intention was that the nickel epidemic could be controlled and prevented if the general population was protected from high cutaneous nickel concentrations. Despite a decrease, the prevalence of nickel allergy remains high as nearly 10% of young women are nickel allergic.

Objective

This study aimed to perform dimethylglyoxime (DMG) testing of inexpensive jewelry and hair clasps purchased from random stores in Copenhagen, Denmark to detect the proportion of items that may result in nickel allergy.

Methods

Inexpensive jewelry and hair clasps were purchased from 36 stores and street vendors in Copenhagen and were later tested for nickel release using the DMG test.

Results

The study showed that 19.3% hair clasps, 14.8% earrings, and 12.9% necklaces intended for adult women released an excessive amount of nickel. Of 25 stores visited, 36.0% sold DMG positive jewelry. For items designed for children, excessive nickel release was identified in hair clasps (79.4%) and in finger rings (20%). Four (50.0%) of 8 children clothing stores sold jewelry that released too much nickel.

Discussion

Excessive nickel release has been regulated since 1990 in Denmark. However, 1/5 of purchased items released nickel in concentrations that may lead to nickel allergy. Especially hair clasps intended for children released an excessive amount of nickel.