Stephan Weidinger

..Matrix disorders, which are often observed, may manifest as such characteristic lesions as spots, tracheonychia or Beau's lines. Treatment is determined by the respective underlying disease...

..However, published studies demonstrate differences concerning design and effect size, and conflicting results for asthma have been reported...

..One of the characteristic features of AD and causative factor for the disease is an impaired epidermal skin barrier based on a primary defect of epidermal differentiation...

..Our data furthermore confirm association of STAT6 variation with serum IgE levels...

..However, their role in the development of other atopic diseases such as asthma and rhinitis has not yet been clarified in large population-based studies...

..The diagnosis of human seminal plasma allergy is based on history, demonstration of specific IgE antibodies in the serum and skin tests. Therapeutic options include allergen avoidance by use of condoms and attempts at desensitization...

..NOD1 is located on chromosome 7p14-p15, a region that has been linked with atopy. Recently, polymorphisms of the closely related NOD2 have been associated with atopy-related traits...

..Total IgE levels are considered a useful endophenotype for studying the genetics of atopic diseases. However, the role and significance of genetic factors influencing IgE regulation for atopic diseases as endpoints is unclear...

..In order to elucidate how tryptase via activation of PAR-2 acts in human spermatozoa, we studied intracellular signal transduction events...

..Among candidate genes in this region is STAT6 (signal transducer and activator of transcription), which is essential for Th2 cell differentiation, recruitment, and effector function...

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..These genes encode proteins thought to be involved in the regulation of posttranslation processing of filaggrin (FLG), the strongest identified genetic risk factor for eczema to date...

..However, studies published to date demonstrate differences concerning study design and strength of associations...

..From these data, we conclude that a genetically determined FLG deficiency manifests as dry skin and features of ichthyosis vulgaris. In addition, FLG deficiency may also represent a risk factor for contact sensitization to allergens...

..Since the observation of a strong association of "loss of function" mutations in the filaggrin gene with AD, the epidermal barrier was rediscovered as important pathophysiological co-factor of this disease...

..To investigate mechanisms of tryptase-induced reduction of sperm motility and explore whether epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) and protease activated receptor 2 (PAR-2)- associated pathways are involved...

..However, thus far, not a single replication attempt has been published, and no definitive functional data have been provided...

..The observations on filaggrin provide striking new insights into the etiology of atopic diseases and might pave the way for the development of new therapeutic approaches...

..Associations analyses between the promoter polymorphism rs1800875 in the mast cell chymase gene (CMA1) and atopy-related phenotypes have yielded inconsistent results...

..CARD15 polymorphisms have been associated with Crohn's disease. Recently, associations with atopic phenotypes have been reported in children...

..Using genome-wide association studies, new genes with yet unknown functions have been determined to be associated with atopy and atopic eczema...

..A crucial role has been attributed to staphylococcal haemolysins in the cytotoxicity to epidermal structures...

..The concept and analyses of the nonatopic and atopic subtypes of eczema have gained increasing interest in recent studies. The course of these subtypes and differences between boys and girls have not been investigated so far...

..Therefore, our study describes as-yet-unknown interactions between mast cells and fibroblasts, which could be relevant for human fibrotic diseases...

..Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists are widely used as adjuvants in specific immune therapy protocols for patients with atopic disposition. Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (mDCs) are thought to be important target cells for these compounds...

..Human IL-18 is an inflammatory cytokine that plays a role in atopic diseases, such as atopic eczema (AE), by enhancing IL-4 and IL-13 production and stimulating the synthesis of IgE...

..This effect was stronger for children sensitized against pollen. Consideration of the individual type of eczema may help to arrange appropriate preventive and therapeutic measures...