title: Organic extracts of urban aerosol (< or =PM2.5) enhance rBet v 1-induced upregulation of CD63 in basophils from birch pollen-allergic individuals.
abstract: Epidemiological studies have linked the high prevalence rates of IgE-mediated allergic diseases to an increase in exposure to traffic-related air pollutants such as diesel exhaust particles (DEPs). There is growing experimental evidence that organic compounds of DEPs, predominantly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), participate in the development and maintenance of allergic airway diseases. In this study we investigated the impact of organic extracts of urban aerosol (AERex) containing various PAH concentrations on the activation of human basophils. Whole blood samples from six birch pollen-allergic and five control subjects were repeatedly incubated in the presence of AERex with or without recombinant Bet v 1 (rBet v 1). Basophils were analyzed for CD63 expression as a measure of basophil activation by using multiparameter flow cytometry. Basophils, when exposed in vitro to AERex and rBet v 1, expressed CD63 significantly more than with antigen activation alone. AERex synergized with rBet v 1 in a dose-dependent manner, but did not activate basophils from nonallergic donors. AERex effect on CD63 upregulation was found in blood samples of all patients and did not occur in the absence of rBet v 1. Strongest basophil activation was monitored upon stimulation with AERex comprising the highest PAH content. The capability of AERex to increase activation of basophils from birch pollen-allergic subjects at ambient concentrations suggests an important role of organic compounds of airborne particles in the aggravation of IgE-mediated allergic diseases. This could be a new aspect of regulation of unspecific promoting stimuli in clinical manifestation of allergic inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Environmental Dermatology and Allergy GSF/TUM, ZAUM-Center for Allergy and Environment, Technical University Munich, 80802 Munich, Germany. schober@lrz.tum.de
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schober
authors.forename: Benedetta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Belloni
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lubitz
authors.forename: Bernadette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Eberlein-König
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bohn
authors.forename: Yücel
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Saritas
authors.forename: Jutta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lintelmann
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Matuschek
authors.forename: Heidrun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Behrendt
authors.forename: Jeroen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buters
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology*; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D001491:Basophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D002947:Cities; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010316:Particle Size; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D060149:Tetraspanin 30; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D000485:Allergens; D015703:Antigens, CD; D052179:Antigens, Plant; C554586:CD63 protein, human; D004391:Dust; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D060149:Tetraspanin 30; D007073:Immunoglobulin E