The Relationship Between Birch Pollen, Air Pollution and Weather Types and Their Effect on Antihistamine Purchase in Two Swedish Cities

Exposure to elevated air pollution levels can aggravate pollen allergy symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between airborne birch (Betula) pollen, urban air pollutants NO2, O3 and PM10 and their effects on antihistamine demand in Gothenburg and Malmo¨, Sweden, 2006–2012. Further, the influence of large-scale weather pattern on pollen-/ pollution-related risk, using Lambweather types (LWTs), was analysed. Daily LWTs were obtained by comparing the atmospheric pressure over a 16-point grid system over southern Sweden (scale *3000 km). They include two non-directional types, cyclonic (C) and anticyclonic (A) and eight directional types depending on the wind direction (N, NE, E…). Birch pollen levels were exceptionally high under LWTs E and SE in both cities. Furthermore, LWTs with dry and moderately calm meteorological character (A, NE, E, SE) were associated with strongly elevated air pollution (NO2 and PM10) in Gothenburg. For most weather situations in both cities, simultaneously high birch pollen together with high air pollution had larger over-the-counter (OTC) sales of antihistamines than situations with high birch pollen alone. LWTs NE, E, SE and S had the highest OTC sales in both cities. InGothenburg, the city with a higher load of both birch pollen and air pollution, the higher OTC sales were especially obvious and indicate an increased effect on allergic symptoms from air pollution. Furthermore, GothenburgLWTs A, NE, E and SEwere associatedwith high pollen and air pollution levels and thus classified as high-risk weather types. In Malmo¨, corresponding highrisk LWTs were NE, E, SE and S. Furthermore, occurrence of high pollen and air pollutants as well as OTC sales correlated strongly with vapour pressure deficit and temperature in Gothenburg (much less so in Malmo¨). This provides evidence that the combination of meteorological properties associated with LWTs can explain high levels of birch pollen and air pollution. Our study shows that LWTs represent a useful tool for integrated daily air quality forecasting/warning

alpha-Gal on the protein surface affects uptake and degradation in immature monocyte derived dendritic cells

Red meat allergy is characterized by an IgE response against the carbohydrate galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-Gal), which is abundantly expressed on glycoproteins from non-primate mammals. The mechanisms of how alpha-Gal is processed and presented to the immune system to initiate an allergic reaction are still unknown. The aim of this study was to reveal whether the presence of alpha-Gal epitopes on the protein surface influence antigen uptake and processing in immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (iMDDCs). Immature MDDCs were prepared from healthy blood donors and red meat allergic patients. We found an increased internalization of alpha-Gal carrying proteins over time in iMDDCs by flow cytometric analysis, which was independent of the donor allergic status. The uptake of alpha-Gal carrying proteins was significantly higher than the uptake of non-alpha-Gal carrying proteins. Confocal microscopy revealed alpha-Gal carrying proteins scattered around the cytoplasm in most iMDDCs while detection of proteins not carrying alpha-Gal was negligible. Fluorescent detection of protein on SDS-PAGE showed that degradation of alpha-Gal carrying proteins was slower than degradation of non-alpha-Gal carrying proteins. Thus, the presence of alpha-Gal on the protein surface affects both uptake and degradation of the protein, and the results add new knowledge of alpha-Gal as a clinically relevant food allergen.Supplementary material: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3073

Supplementary data for the article: Ristivojević, M. K.; Grundström, J.; Tran, T. A. T.; Apostolovic, D.; Radoi, V.; Starkhammar, M.; Vukojević, V.; Ćirković Veličković, T.; Hamsten, C.; van Hage, M. α-Gal on the Protein Surface Affects Uptake and Degradation in Immature Monocyte Derived Dendritic Cells. Scientific Reports 2018, 8 (1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-30887-8

Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-30887-8]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2207

Cross-reactivity between tick and wasp venom can contribute to frequent wasp sensitization in patients with the α-Gal syndrome

Background α-Gal syndrome (AGS) is a food allergy with severe delayed allergic reactions, mediated by IgE-reactivity to galactose-α1,3-galactose (α-Gal). AGS is strongly associated with tick bites. An increased incidence of venom sensitization has been found in AGS patients. Here, we evaluated the frequency of wasp sensitization in Swedish AGS patients and the possible cross-reactivity between wasp venom and tick proteins. Methods Sera from 136 Swedish AGS patients and 29 wasp-positive non-AGS control sera were analyzed for IgE-reactivity against wasp venom (Vespula spp.), the European tick Ixodes ricinus (Streptavidin ImmunoCAP), α-Gal and total IgE by ImmunoCAP. The presence of α-Gal on wasp venom proteins (Vespula vulgaris) was investigated by western blot (WB), and possible cross-reactivity between wasp venom and tick proteins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and WB. Involvement of cross-reactive carbohydrate domains (CCDs) was also assessed. Results Wasp sensitization was present in 54% of AGS patients, although the IgE levels were low. Wasp sensitized patients had higher IgE levels to α-Gal and total IgE levels compared to non-wasp sensitized AGS patients. α-Gal was not detected in wasp venom, but cross-reactivity between wasp and tick proteins was demonstrated which was not dependent on CCDs. The same cross-reactivity was also observed in the control sera. Furthermore, 17 putative cross-reactive peptides were identified using an in silico approach. Conclusions For the first time, cross-reactivity between wasp venom and tick proteins has been described. This may be a reason why the majority of Swedish AGS patients, who have all been tick bitten, are also sensitized against wasp

Th2-skewed T cells correlate with B cell response to α-Gal and tick antigens in α-Gal syndrome

Tick bites have been shown to transmit a novel form of severe food allergy, the galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal) syndrome (AGS). Cellular responses to α-Gal in patients with AGS have, to date, not been thoroughly scrutinized. Therefore, we investigated T and B cell proliferation, activation, and cytokine profiles in response to tick protein extract (TE) and α-Gal-free TE in patients with AGS and in healthy controls. T and B cells from both patients and controls proliferated in response to TE, but significantly more in patients with AGS. B cell proliferation, but not T cell proliferation, in patients with AGS was reduced by removing α-Gal from the TE. In addition, TE induced a clear Th2 cytokine profile in patients with AGS. Expression of CD23 by B cells correlated only to T cell proliferation. However, both B cell proliferation and CD23 expression were reduced when CD40L and IL-4 were blocked. A large portion of the IgG1 and IgE antibodies binding TE in patients with AGS were directed against the α-Gal epitope. We have, for what we believe to be the first time, investigated T and B cell responses to α-Gal carrying tick proteins in patients with AGS, which will be essential for the understanding of the immune response against an allergenic carbohydrate transmitted by ticks

Supplementary data for the article: Perusko, M.; Apostolovic, D.; Kiewiet, M. B. G.; Grundström, J.; Hamsten, C.; Starkhammar, M.; Velickovic, T. C.; Hage, M. van. Bovine γ-Globulin, Lactoferrin, and Lactoperoxidase Are Relevant Bovine Milk Allergens in Patients with α-Gal Syndrome. Allergy n/a (n/a). https://doi.org/10.1111/all.14889.

Supplementary material for: [ https://doi.org/10.1111/all.14889]Related to published version: [https://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4446

Supplementary data for the article: Ristivojević, M. K.; Grundström, J.; Tran, T. A. T.; Apostolovic, D.; Radoi, V.; Starkhammar, M.; Vukojević, V.; Ćirković Veličković, T.; Hamsten, C.; van Hage, M. α-Gal on the Protein Surface Affects Uptake and Degradation in Immature Monocyte Derived Dendritic Cells. Scientific Reports 2018, 8 (1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-30887-8

Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-30887-8]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2207

Air Pollution Dynamics and the Need for Temporally Differentiated Road Pricing

In this paper we investigate the effects of the temporal variation of pollution dispersion, traffic flows and vehicular emissions on pollution concentration and illustrate the need for temporally differentiated road pricing through an application to the case of the congestion charge in Stockholm, Sweden. By accounting explicitly for the role of pollution dispersion on optimal road pricing, we allow for a more comprehensive view of the economy-ecology interactions at stake, showing that price differentiation is an optimal response to the physical environment. Most congestion charges in place incorporate price bans to mitigate congestion. Our analysis indicates that, to ensure compliance with air quality standards, such price variations should also be a response to limited pollution dispersion