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Hum Exp Toxicol

Title:		Long-term exposure to gaseous formaldehyde promotes allergen-specific IgE-mediated immune responses in a murine model
Author(s):		Gu Y; Fujimiya Y; Kunugita N;
Address:		"Graduate School of Health Science, Suzuka University of Medical Science, Suzuka, Mie, Japan"
Journal Title:		Hum Exp Toxicol
Year:		2008
Volume:		27
Issue:		1
Page Number:		37 - 43
DOI:		10.1177/0960327108088973
ISSN/ISBN:		0960-3271 (Print) 0960-3271 (Linking)
Abstract:		"It has long been questioned that whether exposure to formaldehyde in indoor environments may be a risk factor for developing allergen-specific IgE-mediated inflammatory responses, because there is limited clinical or experimental evidence that formaldehyde is involved in the cascade for IgE production. There is no known lower limit, below which there is no threat of serious allergic symptoms. The present study illustrates that the threshold limit of formaldehyde, 0.08 ppm (as defined by the World Health Organization), did not cause ovalbumin-specific IgE inflammatory immune responses, but higher than threshold concentrations of formaldehyde gas result in both enhanced allergen-specific IgE responses and NK (Natural Killer)-cell activity in peripheral blood cells in a murine model. Thus, formaldehyde gas may be involved in promoting allergic inflammatory effects in subjects primed with specific allergens by NK-cell activation. These results indicate that even threshold concentrations of formaldehyde gas may play a regulatory role for 'systemic' cell-mediated immune responses. The extensive use of adhesives for building materials has resulted in higher levels of indoor air pollutants. It is conceivable that increased time indoors may enhance pre-existing allergic symptoms by concomitant exposure to volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde. The affordable limit for formaldehyde might be much lower than currently established levels in indoor environments"
Keywords:		"Allergens/*toxicity Animals Cell Survival/drug effects Flow Cytometry Formaldehyde/*toxicity Gases Immunity/*drug effects Immunoglobulin A/biosynthesis Immunoglobulin E/*physiology Inhalation Exposure Killer Cells, Natural/drug effects/immunology Mice Mic;"
Notes:		"MedlineGu, Yh Fujimiya, Y Kunugita, N eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2008/05/16 Hum Exp Toxicol. 2008 Jan; 27(1):37-43. doi: 10.1177/0960327108088973"