• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.179-191
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• 2009

Background: The present study examines a hypothesis that short allergen-derived peptides may shift an Aspergillus fumigatus (Afu-) specific TH2 response towards a protective TH1. Five overlapping peptides (P1-P5) derived from Asp f1, a major allergen/antigen of Afu, were evaluated for prophylactic or therapeutic efficacy in BALB/c mice. Methods: To evaluate the prophylactic efficacy, peptides were intranasally administered to naive mice and challenged with Afu-allergens/antigens. For evaluation of therapeutic efficacy, the mice were sensitized with Afu-allergens/antigens followed by intranasal administration of peptides. The groups were compared for the levels of Afu-specific antibodies in sera and splenic cytokines evaluated by ELISA. Eosinophil peroxidase activity was examined in the lung cell suspensions and lung inflammation was assessed by histopathogy. Results: Peptides P1-, P2- and P3 decreased Afu-specific IgE (84.5~98.9%) and IgG antibodies (45.7~71.6%) in comparison with Afu-sensitized mice prophylactically. P1- and P2-treated ABPA mice showed decline in Afu-specific IgE (76.4~88%) and IgG antibodies (15~54%). Increased IgG2a/IgG1 and IFN-${\gamma}$/IL-4 ratios were observed. P1-P3 prophylactically and P1 therapeutically decreased IL-5 levels and eosinophil peroxidase activity. P1 decreased inflammatory cells' infiltration in lung tissue comparable to non-challenged control. Conclusion: Asp f1-derived peptide P1, prophylactically and therapeutically administered to Balb/c mice, is effective in regulating allergic response to allergens/antigens of Afu, and may be explored for immunotherapy of allergic aspergillosis in humans.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.218-221
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• 2013

A flightless brown hawk owl (Ninox scutulata) weighing 180 g was rescued and referred to the teaching veterinary hospital with humerus open fracture. On physical examination and radiography, open fracture of the left humerus was found. After 3 days, orthopedic surgery was operated with intramedullary pins and wires. The bird died 2 days after surgery with anorexia. On necropsy, multiple green nodules with 2-3 mm in diameter were observed at the surface and inside of the left lung. Numerous conidial heads and spores were seen in the center of foci in the histopathological examination. The mycelia penetrated the surrounding pulmonary parenchyma, showing inflammation and necrosis. The fungus was isolated from the lung and cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar at $30^{\circ}C$ for 7 days. The colony was blue-green color with a powdery surface. The fungus was identified as Aspergillus fumigatus by DNA analysis, including the internal transcribed spacer region, partial ${\beta}$-tubulin, and the calmodulin gene. This case was diagnosed as pulmonary aspergillosis secondary to open fracture of pneumatic bone in a brown hawk owl.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.234-240
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• 2014

C-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CCR4) is a chemokine receptor with seven transmembrane helices and it belongs to the GPCR family. It plays an important role in asthma, lung disease, atopic dermatitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, the mosquito-borne tropical diseases, such as dengue fever and allergic rhinitis. Because of its role in wide spectrum of disease processes, CCR4 is considered to be an important drug target. Three dimensional structure of the protein is essential to determine the functions. In the present study homology modeling of human CCR4 was performed based on crystal structure of CCR5 chemokine receptor. The generated models were validated using various parameters. Among the generated homology models the best one is selected based on validation result. The model can be used for performing further docking studies to identifying the critical interacting residues.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.82-90
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• 1989

Detection of antibody against pathogenic fungi in serum specimens of the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis or other lung diseases has been carried out(male) using the indirect fluorescence antibody technique and immunodiffusion tests. Immunodiffusion tests revealed that 104(36.5%) out of 285 patients examined showed a positive precipitin reaction against one or more of fungal antigens. The majority of ID positive patients 64(61.5%) reacted with Aspergillus fumigatus antigen and 49(47.1%) patients reacted with Candida albicans antigen ID positive reaction to A. fumigatus was found little more frequently among male patients, while Candida albicans reactors were found more frequently among female patients. Age distribution of ID positive reactors was high(49.1-43.3%) in age group of 40-59 years, but least or none in age group of less than 30 years. Age of fungal mycelium used as antigen did not effect sensitivity of the indirect flubrescence (IF) technique in detecting antibody to A. fumigatus. Antibody class against A. fumigatus that showed highest titer was IgG and thus FITC labeled anti-IgG immunoglobulin shoul be preferable. As relatively large amount of cell wall components of Aspergilli shared antigenically, a considerable cross-reaction was observed among A. fumigatus, A. flavus and A. niger, but not much with C. albicans. While (IF) has much better sensitivity when compared with ID, relative specificity of the latter procedure cannot to be overried, so that they could be batter used together in order to obtain quantitative measurement of antibody with relative specificity.