RESEARCH - Data on allergies reported by researchers at University College

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Data on allergies reported by researchers at University College

December 31st, 2007

2007 DEC 31 -- According to a study from London, the United Kingdom,

" Background Conjunctival mast cells (MCs) are important effector cells in

seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, via histamine and cytokine secretion.

Several new anti-allergic eye drops stabilize MCs and block histamine

receptors, but their anti-inflammatory effects are unclear. "

" Objective Anti-allergic drugs were compared for their anti-inflammatory

effects in an in vitro model of human MC activation and in an experimental

murine model of allergic conjunctivitis. Methods Human cord blood stem

cell-derived (CBMC) and conjunctival biopsy-derived MCs were stimulated via

Fc epsilon RI, degranulation and histamine release were assayed at 1 h and

cytokine secretion at 24 h using multiplex arrays. Mice sensitized to short

ragweed pollen were given anti-allergics topically before allergen

challenge, and conjunctival immuno-staining was performed at 24 h. Results

After a 1 h stimulation, 80% of the CBMC had degranulated and secreted

histamine (27.9 +/- 4.7 ng/10(6) cells; P< 0.05). Pre-treatment by all drugs

significantly reduced histamine and TNF-alpha, whereas IL-5, IL-8, IL-10 and

TNF-beta profiles were differentially decreased. For conjunctival

biopsy-derived cultures (n=11), Fc epsilon R1 stimulation increased

histamine, TNF-alpha, TNF-beta, IL-5 and IL-8 levels and the production of

IL-5, IL-6 (P < 0.05), histamine and IL-8 (P < 0.01) was inhibited by

epinastine. In vivo, epinastine and olopatadine pre-treatment significantly

reduced the clinical scores and eosinophil numbers (n=6; P< 0.05) while

epinastine also reduced neutrophils (P < 0.02). Conclusion Differential

effects on MC cytokine inhibition were observed, with epinastine inhibiting

MC secretion of IL-5, IL-8, IL-10 and conjunctival neutrophil infiltration, "

wrote G. Galatowicz and colleagues, University College.

The researchers concluded: " The anti-allergic drugs have anti-histamine

and mast-cell stabilizing properties but might differ in clinical

improvement depending on the individual and the cytokines involved. "

Galatowicz and colleagues published their study in Clinical and

Experimental Allergy (Ocular anti-allergic compounds selectively inhibit

human mast cell cytokines in vitro and conjunctival cell infiltration in

vivo. Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 2007;37(11):1648-1656).

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