Pilot study of Japanese cedar pollen exposure using a novel artificial exposure chamber (OHIO Chamber)

Objective: Kawasaki disease (KD), an acute febrile disease that induces systemic vasculitis in infants, has been proposed by Awaya and Sahashi in 2003 to be epidemiologically linked with pollen exposure. In this report, seasonal variation patterns of the monthly development of KD in 5,917 patients (Pt.) in Kanagawa, Japan were compared with the monthly pollen release numbers (Nos.) from 1991 to 2002. Methodology: A correlation coefficient (c.c.) matrix was generated using regression analyses of the correlation of KD onset and pollen exposure in each month. The percent of Japanese cedar pollen Nos. was calculated from the pollen numbers (Po.Nos.) of all the species surveyed in March and April throughout the years. Results: Significant c.c. associations were revealed between Po.Nos. from all species in March and KD Pt.Nos. in August (0.88), November (0.72), May (0.68), and April (0.66). Significant c.c. associations were also found between Po.Nos. from all species in April and KD Pt.Nos. in August (0.70), and between Po.Nos from all species in February and KD Pt.Nos. in July (0.62). Mean c.c. values of 0.60 in March, 0.47 in October, 0.45 in July, 0.35 in April, and 0.31 in February between Po.Nos. and KD Pt.Nos. were shown. February, March and April contributed 4.7%, 40.6% and 38.8% of the annual Po.Nos., respectively, of which 93.8%, 84.3% and 10.9% were from cedar pollen, respectively. Conclusions: A positive association was demonstrated between the Po.Nos. from all species, particularly cedar Po.Nos. in March, and the KD Pt.Nos. in the following several months.

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A case of Japanese cedar pollen allergy with throat itching and dyspnea by eating tomatoes during sublingual immunotherapy for Japanese cedar pollinosis

Nihon Shoni Arerugi Gakkaishi The Japanese Journal of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology ◽

10.3388/jspaci.34.334 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 334-338

Author(s):

Taisuke Hashimoto ◽

Saki Kasuga ◽

Sakura Ando ◽

Naho Yamamoto ◽

Shiori Fujikawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sublingual Immunotherapy ◽

Pollen Allergy ◽

Japanese Cedar ◽

Japanese Cedar Pollen ◽

Japanese Cedar Pollinosis ◽

Cedar Pollen

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Possibility of Japanese Cedar Pollen Causing False Positives in the Deep Mycosis Test

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22042135 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 2135

Author(s):

Takashi Kanno ◽

Changmin Kim ◽

Daisuke Yamanaka ◽

Ken-ichi Ishibashi ◽

Hiroshi Tanaka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quantitative Methods ◽

Japanese Cedar ◽

False Positives ◽

Affinity Column ◽

Deep Mycosis ◽

Specific Affinity ◽

Japanese Cedar Pollen ◽

Cedar Pollen ◽

Positive Factor ◽

Lal Assay

Because Japanese cedar pollen (JCP) contains beta-1,3-d-glucan (BG), there is concern that its lingering presence in the atmosphere, especially during its scattering period, may cause false positives in the factor-G-based Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay used to test for deep mycosis (i.e., G-test). Hence, we examined whether the LAL assay would react positively with substances contained in JCP by using the G-test to measure JCP particles and extracts. BG was purified from the JCP extract on a BG-specific affinity column, and the percentage extractability was measured using three different BG-specific quantitative methods. The G-test detected 0.4 pg BG in a single JCP particle and 10 fg from a single particle in the extract. The percentage extractability of JCP-derived BG was not significantly different among the three quantitative methods. As the JCP particles should technically have been removed during serum separation, they should be less likely to be a direct false-positive factor. However, given that the LAL-assay-positive substances in the JCP extract were not distinguishable by the three BG-specific quantitative methods, we conclude that they may cause the background to rise. Therefore, in Japan false positives arising from JCP contamination should be considered when testing patients for deep mycosis.

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Regulation of the Expression of SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 in Nasal Mucosa

American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy ◽

10.1177/19458924211027798 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 194589242110277

Author(s):

Tetsuji Takabayashi ◽

Kanako Yoshida ◽

Yoshimasa Imoto ◽

Robert P. Schleimer ◽

Shigeharu Fujieda

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ◽

Nasal Mucosa ◽

Japanese Cedar ◽

Airway Epithelial Cells ◽

Airway Epithelial ◽

Converting Enzyme ◽

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽

Japanese Cedar Pollen ◽

Cedar Pollen

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic. Higher expression of the virus receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the nasal mucosa may be associated with high transmissibility and asymptomatic infection. In COVID-19, the elucidation of the determinants of ACE2 expression at nasal tissue level is crucial. The development of strategies to downregulate ACE2 expression in nasal epithelial cells might reduce transmission and be useful as a novel therapeutic approach. Objective To verify ACE2 expression in the nasal mucosa of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis induced by Japanese cedar pollen (SAR-JCP) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp (CRSwNP) and to examine the effects of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on ACE2 expression in airway epithelial cells. Methods We assessed ACE2 expression in the nasal mucosa of control subjects, patients with SAR-JCP, and those with CRSwNP using real-time polymerase chain reaction. We also quantified ACE2 gene expression in cultured airway epithelial cells. Results Although ACE2 expression was greatly increased in a few patients with SAR-JCP during the Japanese cedar pollen season, mean levels were not significantly increased. ACE2 mRNA expression was significantly decreased in nasal polyp tissue from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis compared with the expression in that from control subjects. SCFAs generated by gastrointestinal microbiota significantly reduced resting ACE2 expression in cultured airway epithelial cells. SCFAs also significantly suppressed the dsRNA-dependent upregulation of ACE2 expression in airway epithelial cells. Conclusion Inflammatory endotype affects ACE2 expression in the nasal mucosa and influences susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In particular, type 2 inflammation could downregulate ACE2 expression in the nasal mucosa and reduces susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 in patients with CRSwNP. Although in vivo experiments are required, administration of SCFAs to the nasal cavity might be worthy of consideration as a preventative or therapeutic strategy for the early-stage COVID-19.

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