Glutathione Counteracts the Effects of Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) Pollen Allergen Cry j1

Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen allergen Cry j1 increases the intracellular calcium concentration in human keratinocytes, and also impairs the epidermal barrier function. Here, we show that reduced glutathione (GSH) blocks both thrombin activation and the Cry j1-induced intracellular calcium elevation in cultured human keratinocytes, and also prevents the Cry j1-induced decrease of barrier function in ex vivo human skin.

Keywords: epidermal barrier function; intracellular calcium; keratinocyte; prothrombinase complex; thrombin.