INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the suppressive capacity of CD25(+) regulatory T cells on birch allergen-induced T-cell responses during the first birch pollen season after initiation of specific immunotherapy (SIT). METHODS: CD25(pos) and CD25(neg) T cells were purified from blood of birch-allergic SIT patients and birch-allergic controls, stimulated with birch pollen extract, and analyzed for T-cell proliferation and production of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-10. RESULTS: We show that allergen-induced proliferation and IFN-gamma production were suppressed equally well by CD25(pos) T cells from SIT patients and controls, while the IL-5 production was not suppressed by either of the groups. IL-10 levels were higher in SIT patients relative to controls only when CD25(neg) and CD25(pos) were cultured together. Furthermore, neither FOXP3 levels nor proportions of CD25(high) T cells were enhanced in SIT patients compared to allergic controls. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that the Th2-suppressive capacity of allergen-stimulated CD25(pos) Treg in vitro is not improved by SIT in spite of increased IL-10 production from T cells.
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the suppressive capacity of CD25(+) regulatory T cells on birch allergen-induced T-cell responses during the first birch pollen season after initiation of specific immunotherapy (SIT). METHODS:CD25(pos) and CD25(neg) T cells were purified from blood of birch-allergic SITpatients and birch-allergic controls, stimulated with birch pollen extract, and analyzed for T-cell proliferation and production of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-10. RESULTS: We show that allergen-induced proliferation and IFN-gamma production were suppressed equally well by CD25(pos) T cells from SIT patients and controls, while the IL-5 production was not suppressed by either of the groups. IL-10 levels were higher in SIT patients relative to controls only when CD25(neg) and CD25(pos) were cultured together. Furthermore, neither FOXP3 levels nor proportions of CD25(high) T cells were enhanced in SIT patients compared to allergic controls. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that the Th2-suppressive capacity of allergen-stimulated CD25(pos) Treg in vitro is not improved by SIT in spite of increased IL-10 production from T cells.
Authors: Kajsa Wing; Susanne Lindgren; Gittan Kollberg; Anna Lundgren; Robert A Harris; Anna Rudin; Samuel Lundin; Elisabeth Suri-Payer Journal: Eur J Immunol Date: 2003-03 Impact factor: 5.532
Authors: Georg H Stummvoll; Richard J DiPaolo; Eva N Huter; Todd S Davidson; Deborah Glass; Jerrold M Ward; Ethan M Shevach Journal: J Immunol Date: 2008-08-01 Impact factor: 5.422