• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2010

The indoor environmental condition was assessed in houses with allergy (asthma and atopy) patients by use of a fungal detector. The fungal index was calculated from the growth rate of the sensor fungi in a fungal detector encapsulating the spores, Alternaria alternata S-78, Eurotium herbariorum J-183 and Aspergillus penicillioides K-712. Fungal indices were higher in asthma patient's houses than in control houses and Eurotium herbariorum showed the highest growth response among the sensor fungi. Dust mites allergen, Der f1, was also significantly high in allergy patient's houses where fungal indices above 10 were detected. A correlation was observed between the fungal indices and dust mite allergen proliferations in examined houses. Therefore, the fungal index can be a useful tool as an indirect indication for detecting chronic dampness that brings both contaminations by fungi and dust mite.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.152-159
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• 2015

Der p 2, which is a major allergen of house dust mite, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic disease. There is controversy regarding whether Der p 2 binds to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and its inflammatory effect has not yet been elucidated. In the current study, we examined the interaction of Der p 2 with TLR4 and the effect of Der p 2 on cytokine release in THP-1 cells and lymphocytes. Among house dust mite extracts, recombinant TLR4 protein interacted with Der p 2. The overall structure of Der p 2 is characteristic of the immunoglobulin superfamily and contains ten ${\beta}-strands$, forming a ${\beta}-cup$ fold with two anti-parallel ${\beta}-sheets$, and a short 310 helix. The two sheets can be separated, further allowing the formation of a large internal pocket, which is narrow and suitable for binding large flat molecules such as lipid-like molecules. Der p 2 caused increased secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1, which are neutrophil survival factors, in human monocytic THP-1 cells in a time-dependent manner. Der p 2 also induces the release of cytokines in normal and allergic lymphocytes. Supernatant after treatment with Der p 2 inhibited neutrophil apoptosis. In coculture of lymphocytes with neutrophils, Der p 2 inhibited spontaneous apoptosis of allergic neutrophils. In summary, Der p 2 binds to TLR4 and induces an inflammatory response such as cytokine secretion in immune cells. These findings may enable elucidation of allergy pathogenesis by specific allergen of house dust mite.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.204-212
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine house dust mite concentrations in living rooms and bedding materials in atopic case-control groups. Methods: Fifty four homes with children suffering atopic diseases as cases and fifty one homes without atopic diseases as controls were selected after diagnosis at three elementary schools in Ulsan City. Dust samples were collected from the living rooms and bedding materials in each home during summer and winter with a vacuum cleaner and analyzed for house dust mites using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Environmental factors and family history were surveyed during sampling. Results: Both species of house dust mite Dermatophagoides farina (Der f 1) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 1) were found in all homes. Derf1 concentrations were much higher than Der P1 concentrations, both in atopic homes (1518.9 vs. 27.0 ng/g. dust, respectively) and non-atopic homes (810.8 vs. 44.3 ng/g. dust, respectively). Der f 1 concentrations were significantly higher in the atopic group than in the non-atopic group (atopic: 1518.9 ng/g.dust, non-atopic: 810.8 ng/g.dust, p = 0.035). However, total house dust mite Der p 1 concentrations were significantly higher in the non-atopic group than in the atopic group (atopic: 27.0 ng/g.dust, non-atopic: 44.3 ng/g.dust, p = 0.035). Multiple regression implied that mothers with family history of atopic diseases (OR = 4.79, 95% CI = 1.81-12.69), Der f 1 concentrations (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.07-2.81), and air freshener use (OR = 4.60, 95% CI = 1.72-12.34) had significant associations with atopic children. Conclusion: House dust mite Der f 1 concentrations were associated with atopic children. This study suggests that parents should reduce house dust mite Der f 1 concentrations through environmental controls.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.344-347
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• 2013

The S100A8 and S100A9 proteins play important roles in inflammatory diseases. The house dust mite acts as a major allergen that induces allergic diseases. We investigated the effect of the house dust mite on S100A8 and S100A9 protein expression in monocytes. We also examined the effect of CCL2, a powerful monocyte chemoattractant, on the expression of both proteins. Extract of Dermatophagoides pteronissinus (DP), recombinant Der p 1 and Der p 2, or CCL2 had no effect on S100A8 and S100A9 expression in human monocytic THP-1 cells. Monocytes were isolated from healthy donors and treated with DP, Der p 1, and Der p 2. S100A8 expression in monocytes increased after a 24 h stimulation with DP, Der p 1, and Der p 2, and CCL2 also increased S100A8 production. However, S100A9 expression in monocytes was not altered by DP, Der p 1, Der p 2, or CCL2. These results indicate that house dust mite and CCL2 may trigger an inflammatory response by altering S100A8 expression.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.91-95
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• 2002

Background: In order to characterize human antibodies with specificity for mite allergens at the molecular level, a scFv phage display library was constructed using peripheral blood mononuclear lymphocytes from an asthma patient allergic to mite as Ig gene sources. Methods: Immunoglobulin $V_H$ and V gene fragments were obtained by polymerase chain reaction, and randomly combined in pCANTAB-5E vector. The resulting human scFv phage display library had $3{\times}10^4$ independent clones, and biopanning was performed with house dust mite extracts. Results: Four scFv clones specific for house dust mite extract were isolated. Immunoblot assay showed that our clones reacted to 25 kDa and 50~60 kDa proteins with unknown identity in mite extracts. Sequence analysis indicated that two clones (b7 and c15) are identical, and all clones belong to human $V_H3$ subgroup. On the other hand, light chain usage was different in that two clones (a2 and b7 / c15) belonging to V ${\kappa}4$ subgroup, but a4 used V ${\kappa}1$ light chain gene. Conclusion: Our approach should facilitate provision of useful information on the antibody responses against allergens at the molecular level in humans.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.163-169
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• 1999

House dust mite allergens have been well established as sensitizing agents that are important in the induction of allergic diseases. In order to analyze epitopes of the allergen and to develop a quantitative method of the allergen exposure, monoclonal antibodies against a recombinant Der p 2 (rDer p 2), one of the major allergens of Dermatophogoides pteronyssinus, were produce. Four monoclonal antibodies produced wee species-specific and did not cross-react to the D. farinae crude extract. Two of the monoclonal antibodies were found to be IgG1 and the others were IgM. For the analysis of epitopes, a Der p 2 cDNA encoding 126 amino acids (aa) was dissected into three fragments with several overlapping peptides, A (aa residues 1-49), B (44-93), and C fragment (84-126). Three monoclonal antibodies showed reactivities to the recombinant B fragment and to the full-length rDer p 2, but one monoclonal antibody reacted only with the full-length rDer p 2. Two-site capture ELISA was developed using two different monoclonal antibodies for quantitating Der p2 in house dust. The sensitivity limit was 4ng/ml with rDer p2 and $8{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ with the d. pteronyssinus crude extract. The result suggested that the assay using monoclonal antibodies against rDer p2 could be useful for the environmental studies and for the standardization of mite allergen extracts.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.39-42
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• 2014

Asthma is an allergic inflammation and house dust mite (HDM) is a major allergen to induce asthma pathogenesis. Regulation of eosinophil apoptosis is an essential immune process and its dysregulation is implicated in asthma. In the present study, we examined the effects of HDM on spontaneous apoptosis of asthmatic eosinophils and on cytokine secretion in eosinophils of normal subjects including non-atopic and atopic normal. Extract of Dermatophagoides pteronissinus (DP) inhibited eosinophil apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. DP increased the secretion of G-CSF, GM-SCF, and IL-4, which is involved in suppression of eosinophil apoptosis, but IL-5 expression was not altered after DP stimulation. DP also elevated the release of IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and CCL2, which are anti-apoptotic or survival factors. The secretion of G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-${\alpha}$ due to DP is higher in atopic normal than that in non-atopic normal. In conclusion, DP increases the survival of eosinophils and its mechanism may be associated with cytokine release. These findings may enable elucidation of asthma pathogenesis induced by HDM.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.187-189
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• 2008

House dust mites produce inhalant allergens of importance to allergic patients, We measured the major group 1 allergens, Der p 1 and Der f 1, from the house dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farina, respectively in 100 randomly selected domestic homes from Cheonan, Korea, Dust samples were collected by vacuuming from the living room floor and 1 mattress in each home, Der p 1 and Der f 1 were measured by double mono-clonal ELISA. Der p 1 levels were very low, with geometric mean levels for floors and mattresses being $0.11\;{\mu}g/g$ (range: 0.01-4.05) and $0.14\;{\mu}g/g$ (range: 0.01-30.0), respectively. Corresponding levels of Der f 1 were higher, $7.46\;{\mu}g/g$ (range: 0.01-262.9) and $10.2\;{\mu}g/g$ (range: 0.01-230.9) for floors and mattresses, respectively. D. farinae appears to be the dominant house dust mite in Cheonan.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.93-96
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• 2004

We examined the responses of PBMCs to house dust mite (HDM) allergen in atopic and healthy, non-atopic dogs to identify differences in lymphocyte reactivity that might reflect the immunologic status of atopic dermatitis. Thirteen of 20 (65%) atopic dogs showed a positive lymphocyte proliferative response to HDM allergen. The rate of response was significantly higher in the atopic dogs than that in healthy, non-atopic dogs insensitive to the allergen (P = 0.007). The proliferative responses were positively correlated with the level of HDM-specific IgE in serum (P = 0.035), and were thereby confirmed to reflect the activity of lymphocytes competent to promote IgE production. These results suggest that HDM-specific lymphocytes were present in peripheral blood and played a role in the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.26-30
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalent allergens causing canine atopic dermatitis in Daejeon area. Twenty two dogs were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis by an using intradermal skin test (IDST). Allergens used for the IDST included 33 allergen extracts from nine allergen groups: house dust mites (HDM), house dust, moulds, trees, weeds, grasses, insects/fleas, epithelia and others. The 22 purebred dogs with atopic dermatitis enrolled in this study included Shi-tzus (10/22, 45.5%), Yorkshire terriers (5/22, 22.7%), Miniature pinschers (4/22, 18.2%), Pugs (2/ 22, 9.1 %) and Cocker spaniels (1/22, 4.5%). The age of onset of atopic dermatitis ranged from 5 months to 5 years old (median: 1.79 years). The males (12/22, 54.5%) and females (10/22, 45.5%) were almost equal. The number of positive reactions to allergens recorded in each dog with atopic dermatitis was 3 (9/22, 40.9%), 2 (8/22, 36.4%), 1 (3/ 22, 13.6%) and 4 (2/22, 9.1 %), respectively. The most common positive allergen reaction was HDM (52.6%). The other positive allergen reactions recorded were from house dust (17.5%), insects/fleas (15.8%), trees (5.3%), moulds (3.5%), kapok (3.5%), silk (3.5%), epithelia (1.8%), weeds (0%) and grasses (0%), respectively. Positive reactions recorded to Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus were in 53.3% and 46.7%, respectively. The IDST results demonstrate that the most common causative allergens in canine atopic dermatitis in Daejeon area were HDM.